Last night was another perfect summer supper with friends. Perhaps worth a little plug for our favourite resto, Le Fournil in Bonnieux.  We've all been going here for the past twenty years and it goes from strength to strength.  Don't know if the guys will be there for ever so maybe worth a visit soon.

Le Fournil, Bonnieux

Marseille always lovely, always interesting

The Vieux Port in the winter sunshine - lovely as ever. And the morning fish market and local shops always interesting whatever the time of year.

A Luberon winter institution

Winter in Provence has to be celebrated with a taste of the superb truffles this region produces. There are many local truffle fairs at this time of the year but one of the best is held just after Christmas in Menerbes in the Luberon. Here yesterday the crowds turned out in force to enjoy the stroll to the square at the top of this lovely old village, maybe to buy but certainly to enjoy a soft truffle omelette - the perfect lunch!

Winter lavender

Beautiful at all times of the year. Nestling low on the ground under a blue provencal sky, this lavender field on the Plateau de Sault is in its winter hibernation.

A restaurant with a view - and what a view

The restaurant at the Hostellerie de Crillon de Brave in the Cotes de Rhone area of the Dentelles

And the view - across vineyards and orchards to Mont Ventoux in the distance.

Bread

So this is how the bread dough is made!  Seen outside the boulangerie in Roussillon.

Everything is big in wine country

In the wine village of Gigondas, perhaps the biggest hanging basket in Provence.

And the wine list at the Hotel les Florets in Gigondas is a seriously big read!

Bouillabaise the traditional way

On the beach, cooked over an open fire and served on a cork platter. Fantastic summer lunch - but come hungry!

Stones and Roses

The Chateauneuf du Pape appellation is one of the most famous names in the Cotes du Rhone area.  The reds, characterised by a dark robe as well as spicy, woody and peppery aromas are definitely wines for laying down but the lesser know whites too are exquisite.  In the vineyards you can see clearly the large river pebbles which soak up the sun’s heat during the day to warm the grapes at night. 

Belle de Nuit

Belle de nuit?
A 'lady of the night'
Pretty flowers which open only late afternoon and evening

Yes, both these but also a charming restaurant and chambre d'hote in Oppede le Vieux. This ruined medieval village nestles up against the mountains in the Parc Naturel du Luberon.

Laurie and Roger offer a delicious dinner in their delightful cosy restaurant. Check them out on www.belle2nuit.fr

Winning Saturday in Toulon

Fans were out in force for the Heineken Cup rugby game in Toulon. Special lunch menus in the restaurants around the port and a packed stadium in the sunshine.

And a great result for Toulon!  Through to the quarter finals!

Sunny Sunday in Cassis

January, sunshine, cobalt blue skies, boats bobbing in the harbour, the seagull Christmas lights hanging around the bay, and what seems like the whole of southern Provence out for lunch, strolling the water front and sitting on the beach - even one or two hardy people swimming in the Med.  Where else could it be but a sunny Sunday in Cassis.

Truffle lunch

What do the market crowds need more than anything else after the hard work perusing the stalls? Yes they are all heading to the stall in the corner for, of course, a truffle omelette.  Cooked to order and with a glass of local red, what could be better on a sunny lunch time at the Truffle market in Menerbes?

Truffle hunters out in force!

The annual Truffle market in Menerbes draws an enthusiastic crowd every year.  Great ambience in this lovely old village, excellent quality truffles from which to select, truffle oils, and even truffle oaks for growing your own.

 

And now the olive harvest

Cold nights and sunshine days start to colour the olives and its time to pick.  Boxes of olives of all shades of green and black are collected together in the hoppers ready for the start of the press to produce that liquid green gold of fresh olive oil, ready for collecting from the mill just before Christmas.

Arrive in style!

Helicopter landing pad at the Domaine de la Coquillade

More Marseille secrets

The Vallon d'Auffes. This little fishing port nestling beneath the coast road of the Corniche is a delightful spot and home to two of the best bouillabaisse restaurants in Marseille. Chez Fonfon overlooks the little inlet, L'Epuisette sits at the end of the inlet overlooking the Mediterranean. Either will give you the true taste of that wonderful fish dish for which Marseille is world renowned.

Or if you are in the mood for just a casual lunch by the waterside, book one of the outdoor tables at Chez Jeannot the pizza restaurant at the top of the little bay.

Scrumptious lunch

Fresh salads, delicious pasta, great plat du jour. In the Grand Café in Valensole village opposite the pretty fountain and lovely old lavoir. And a group of friends to share the experience. This is what holidays in Provence are all about.

The fruits of the season

For every 5 kilos of olives the mill gives you 1 litre of oil. Here's a few litres ready and waiting in the making.

And on their way to the press

Oil ready for collection in just a couple of weeks - and to be enjoyed all year long.

The wild food of Provence

Fantastic peppery wild rocket adds a hint of bite to a simple salad, and gorgeus feathery fennel for a lovely aniseed flavour - its all just for the taking in the hedgerows of Provence.