Dear Peter Mayle
Dear Mr. Mayle, I am sorry that it is upon the news of your death that I am sitting down to write this note. Thank you, Mr. Mayle, for introducing me to Provence. Before reading your books, I had a fuzzy idea at best of…
Highlights Along the Alsace Wine Route
The capital of Alsace (now the Grand Est region in France) and the seat of the European Parliament, Strasbourg is a cosmopolitan city with diverse attractions, including one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. As entrancing as Strasbourg is, there are good reasons to…
Christmas Markets of Strasbourg
This holiday season I visited Christmas markets in the Alsace region of France. Besides a few extra pounds of weight, I brought back a deeper understanding of Alsatian markets, food, and culture. I look forward to sharing my impressions in two parts. This one is…
An American Thanksgiving in Paris
(Guest post and photos by Debra Dout) Holidays are the perfect time for a trip to Paris and Thanksgiving is the best. The food, friends, and freedom to improvise the menu are an unbeatable combination—and with no religious overtones. We love to cook, we love to…
Paris Christmas Markets 2017–A Year Unlike Others
There’s a familiar rhythm to the ramp-up to all holidays in Paris. For example, well before Valentine’s Day more lavish than usual displays of chocolates and macarons start appearing in store windows. As Bastille Day approaches in July, a profusion of tricolor flags emerge from…
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence stands out as one of the most picturesque towns in Provence. It’s of intermediate size by south-of-France standards–smaller than Arles and Avignon but larger than Eygalières and Fontvieille. Nestled between the Durance and the Rhône rivers, it’s in the Alpilles region where olive trees…
7 Things that I’ve Learned from Chefs about Markets
It’s one thing to shop at farmers’ markets as a regular customer, and another to shop as a chef. Occasionally I see chefs at markets. They might be recognizable as a celebrity or from the tell-tale white jacket. I pay close attention to which stalls they…
Provence Trip Highlights
Sweet juicy strawberries and cherries, freshly picked from local fields, still tingle in my mouth. Mistral winds still prickle goosebumps on my arms. The songs of les cigales (cicadas), still ring in my ears. Such are the vivid memories of my recent trip to Provence. Since photos communicate the variety…
Arles Market
During my Provence trip with New York Times Journeys, we were treated to many marvelous and tasty adventures. One of the travelers was John Boydston, a freelance photographer based in Atlanta. Check out this photo essay of the Arles market (a Saturday and Wednesday market, although…
Paris Anew
There are certain sights that I’ve come to expect when visiting Paris, especially in springtime. Leafy cathedrals of allées. Hedges dotted with cream and pink blooms. Even under grey skies, a riot of cheerful blooms in the Tuileries, Luxembourg Gardens, and other parks throughout the city. At…