Club Oenologique Magazine
I loved working with the team at Club Oenologique magazine on this feature about vegetable-forward chefs for their France special. They asked me for some ideas along some themes suggested by their guest editor Hélène Darroze, and we landed on this feature, which leaned heavily into my knowledge and expertise about French cuisine and 20 […]
Chestnut festival in Collobrières, Provence
The chestnut festival in Collobrières is one of the most enchanting festivals I’ve ever been to in France and so I was delighted to write about it for The Guardian in September 2021. Read the article here While chi-chi Saint-Tropez is just an hour away, much of the Var is laid-back, leafy and remote. Collobrières […]
The pastis of Provence: the revival of the aniseed aperitif
In a brief pause to travel restrictions in summer 2020 we dashed through France to Provence and while the family lounged by the pool I explored the fascinating story of pastis in Provence. From the 1960s when Paul Ricard put the drink on the map, to the newer distillers putting their own mark on their […]
Sawday’s Detours – how to explore France
Alistair Sawday’s forays into France for his guide books inspired many people to take it slow and see the best of France and now that his publishing empire has extended into accommodation collection, their website is a great resource for planning a trip. I love their B&Bs, hotels and self-catering properties because they always feel […]
Exploring the vineyards of the Luberon and Vaucluse
Wondering which vineyards make the best wines in the Luberon but also offer an enjoyable visitor experience? My article from Decanter magazine covers this abundant area that encompasses several different wine appellations, along with hotel and restaurant recommendations. Read the pdf here: Travel-Luberon-Ventoux_draft-CB 1 This is a slightly longer version of the main article: As […]
Five under-the-radar areas of France
Five great places to visit in France that are off the beaten track
A weekend in Marseille
What to see and do in Marseille, France. Explore its different neighbourhoods, museums, shops and restaurants
Best stopovers en route south
“Where do you stop when you drive south?” is possibly the number one question I get asked… and it’s so good to have dozens of suggestions up my sleeve. Whether you want to just enjoy a bit of luxury and switch off at a beautiful boutique hotel, or have a more adventurous stay in a […]
30 best B&Bs in France
I love a chambres d’hotes – the French answer to a BnB gives you a chance to chat to the owners, get the inside track on what the best places to visit, best restaurants, and the history of an area. This made it a joy to put together my favourite 30 in France for The […]
Great new chateaux hotel
My recent journey through Provence concluded at Chateau de Montcaud, which I reached after crossing the Rhône and driving through vineyards with Mont Ventoux forever in my rear-view mirror. While designer fashion houses are at the helm in Saint-Tropez at Le Cheval Blanc, the four-star Chateau de Montcaud celebrates its connections to the couture of […]