The allure of Provence for many of us is its wonderful cuisine coupled with an unfettered life that we imagine leisurely unfolds every day from the time we stretch to greet to the morning to the moments before we close our eyes to dream about the next day. We think of strolling through vibrant markets, baskets laden with fresh produce, cheeses, olives, and baguettes that will later find their way to our table; savoring long lunches in courtyards dotted with terra cotta pots of lavender and rosemary; sipping pastis alongside artists and writers in cafes à la belle époque; and enjoying exquisite multi-course dinners, corks popping and wine flowing to thwart the passage of time. Ah, Provence. Gourmet store in Aix-en-Provence If you are lucky enough to travel to Provence, you may well find… these idyllic scenes and many more. I know that our family has been fortunate in realizing many such storied scenes in our numerous travels to Provence. As I have written many times, it is a magical place. But for those who actually live in Provence, it is not always magical. They cannot escape the prosaic necessities of life like work, grocery shopping, car repairs, medical [...]