http://www.provence-hideaway.com/blog/ sights and flavours of the Provence http://www.vrbx.com/phlink/globe2.gif http://www.provence-hideaway.com/blog/ http://provence-hideaway.com/blog/345.php The Festival d'Avignon is upon us again. This year's event, the 62nd edition, runs from July 4 to 26. Hortense Archambault and Vincent Baudriller are the Co-Directors of the "official" festival. Avignon is buzzing with people. Worthwhile to go there and do some people watching even if you don't want to attend one of the many performances. The two "Artistes Associes" for this season are French actress Valerie Dreville and Italian playwright Romeo Castellucci. Dreville plays the role of Yse in Partage de Midi, based on the 1905 drama by Paul Claudel. The ever controversial Romeo Castellucci introduces you .... Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:17:42 GMT http://provence-hideaway.com/blog/344.php What has been a generally cold and at times quite rainy spring so far, was topped yesterday by the Atlantic storm Wilhelmina, or as we say in France, la Depression Wilhelmina. Farmers will be grateful, tourist less so. In any case a beautiful rain bow - l'arc en ciel - appeared in the aftermath of the storm over the Dentelles de Montmirail in the Haut Vaucluse. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:22:16 GMT http://provence-hideaway.com/blog/343.php Expedia-Harris Interactive just published its annual Vacation Deprivation Survey. France continues to be the reigning vacation champion. In 2007 employed French adults received 36 vacation days, they used 34 vacation days. This is on top of the legally binding working hour maximum of 35 hours per week ...... Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:18:45 GMT http://www.provence-hideaway.com/blog/342.php The 2007 grape crush in France will decline by about 6% with a total production of 49,2 million hectolitres according to projections made earlier this month by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishing. Reasons are the low temperatures during the flowering season, abundant humidity and the subsidized reduction in acreage, especially in the Languedoc-Roussillon. AOC wine production should run at about 23 million hectolitres. The most significant decline is seen in the Bordeaux and Loire Valley regions. Here in the Southern Cotes du Rhone Valley grape crush... Sun, 23 Sep 2007 17:38:05 GMT http://www.provence-hideaway.com/blog/341.php Over many years we have holidayed in southern France and around the Provence. In recent years we have spent time around the Cotes de Rhone Villages. Finding web sites that provide genuine local advice has always been a difficulty but this year we found yours and during our late August/early September break we tried two of the restaurants you recommended La Farigoule, Ste.Cecile les Vignes and St.Hubert, Entrechaux. We stay in Cairanne and have passed by La Farigoule over several years thinking it an unpromising place. This year we tried it for dinner on your recommendation and we were very pleasantly surprised. The staff were great, attentive but not intrusive and the food .... Sun, 23 Sep 2007 12:03:52 GMT http://www.provence-hideaway.com/blog/340.php How did it happen? What makes someone write a book? Apart, that is, from the possibility of financial reward, fame and a huge ego trip. In my case I can honestly say that it was not the money, should my publisher break even on this I am sure he will breathe a vast sigh of relief and take me out to a jolly good lunch. The fame aspect seems to be working although .... Sun, 08 Jul 2007 14:43:52 GMT http://www.provence-hideaway.com/blog/339.php Once again the Festival d'Avignon is upon us, this firework of intellectual excitement. Tell me, what do you really expect of a theatre, drama and dance festival? Something you don't see at "normal" performances, right? Welcome to the Festival d'Avignon! France's premier event of avant-garde theatre, drama and dance, a huge multi-arts celebration. Sat, 07 Jul 2007 10:12:07 GMT http://www.provence-hideaway.com/blog/338.php Menton, the city of lemons, oranges is famous for its English gardens. This town on the French Riveria is on its way up. Wed, 13 Jun 2007 08:59:45 GMT http://www.provence-hideaway.com/blog/335.php Kissing - faire la bise - is part of the French greeting etiquette. Here are the four questions you need to ask yourself if you want to fine-tune your "la bise" skills: "Quand ? Qui ? Comment ? Combien ?" Mon, 28 May 2007 10:09:45 GMT