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MAY DAY IN FRANCE: PARADES, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND LILY OF THE VALLEY MARK THIS PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Culture Events History The Modern Trobadors

MAY DAY IN FRANCE: PARADES, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND LILY OF THE VALLEY MARK THIS PUBLIC HOLIDAY

May 1st is La Fête du Travail in France. As in many other countries, it is “the worker’s holiday.” It is a very important day, a public holiday in which public offices, post offices, banks, and many private businesses are closed and some public transportation schedules may follow a holiday schedule. Parades and demonstrations to champion workers’ rights typically cause congestion and delays in traffic in metropolitan...
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THE FRENCH LAUNDRY THAT HANGS IN LOURMARIN
Culture Places The Modern Trobadors

THE FRENCH LAUNDRY THAT HANGS IN LOURMARIN

French laundry conjures up all sorts of images. For my friend and fellow-blogger, David Scott Allen, visions of delectable meals from Thomas Keller’s famous restaurant surface…things like Creamy Maine Lobster Broth and English Pea Soup with White Truffle Oil and Parmesan Crisps.

For my friend, Betsy Tabor with whom I have been exchanging gifts, poems, and postcards about laundry for years now —both French and American and, come to think of it, Burkina Fasoian, too—I thought she would say it’s about that crisp fresh smell that emanates from clothes left to dry outdoors. However, when I called to inquire what images popped into her mind when thinking of...
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PAQUES EN PROVENCE: CHOCOLATE FISH, FLYING CHURCH BELLS, BULLFIGHTS, LAMB, AND OMELETS
Events History The Modern Trobadors

PAQUES EN PROVENCE: CHOCOLATE FISH, FLYING CHURCH BELLS, BULLFIGHTS, LAMB, AND OMELETS

In our favorite village of Lourmarin, we checked in with friends to see how the celebration of Easter was taking form there. In the predominantly Roman Catholic country of France where there is a church or two in every village, it’s not surprising that Easter is a joyous occasion. Although in Lourmarin, as in other Provençal villages, the celebration is low-key in comparison to other areas of France, most notably the Alsace...
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EASTER IN PROVENCE MARKS THE START OF BULLFIGHTING
Culture Events The Modern Trobadors

EASTER IN PROVENCE MARKS THE START OF BULLFIGHTING

La Feria Corridas—the bullfighting festival—is so firmly ingrained in the Easter traditions of the Camarague area that, in this south western area of Provence, “Feria,” which means “festival,” seems to be synonymous, this time of year, with both Easter and bullfighting. In the main bullfighting arenas—Arles and Nîmes—as well as in the many small towns that set up temporary arenas, Easter weekend marks the start of bullfighting...
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Museums Places The Modern Trobadors

WITH LAVENDER, ROSEMARY, AN OLD 2CV, AND A BIG HEART, L’OCCITANE EN PROVENCE WAS BORN

Lavender is a magnet for tourists to Provence. Our post, "Lavender: A Flower Rooted in Sun-Drenched Provence," remains our most...
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10 MARKETS IN PROVENCE: AIX-EN-PROVENCE MOVES TO THE TOP IN THE SPRING
Markets Places The Modern Trobadors

10 MARKETS IN PROVENCE: AIX-EN-PROVENCE MOVES TO THE TOP IN THE SPRING

With spring around the corner and warm temperatures to follow, the market in Aix-en-Provence is at the very top of...
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Culture French Language History People The Modern Trobadors

CELEBRATING MY FRENCH ROOTS: BONNE ANNIVERSAIRE GRAMPI!

Do you ever wonder why you are drawn to France? If you are reading this, I suspect that France tugs...
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Culture French Language The Modern Trobadors

40 FRENCH EXPRESSIONS WITH “CHAT” FEATURING LES CHATS DU LUBERON

If you have traveled to France, you may believe that there are more cats there than in any other country....
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8 Replies
Culture Food Restaurants The Modern Trobadors

McDo McBAGUETTE! McMON DIEU!

McDonald's in France Photo: McDonald'sThe big news out of France this week is that America’s most famous (or infamous, depending...
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Art Culture Events Museums The Modern Trobadors

“VAN GOGH UP CLOSE” AT THE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART: AN EXAMINATION OF LANDSCAPES FROM PROVENCE AND AUVERS AND A FEW STILL LIFES FROM PARIS, TOO

Befittingly, perhaps, we arrived in Philadelphia to find frigid temperatures and falling snow, just as van Gogh had found in...
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A CHILLED PIERREVERT ROSÉ FOR A CHILLY VALENTINE’S DAY
The Modern Trobadors Wine

A CHILLED PIERREVERT ROSÉ FOR A CHILLY VALENTINE’S DAY

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and I am thinking “pink.” A chilly Valentine’s Day is expected—even in Provence!—which, in my opinion, calls for a festive wine!
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VAN GOGH’S LAST YEAR IN PROVENCE:   REFUGE IN AN ASYLUM, STARRY NIGHTS, FIELDS OF WHEAT, AND IRISES
Art History People The Modern Trobadors

VAN GOGH’S LAST YEAR IN PROVENCE: REFUGE IN AN ASYLUM, STARRY NIGHTS, FIELDS OF WHEAT, AND IRISES

Vincent van Gogh is on my mind again these days. Those Don McLean lyrics—“Starry, starry night, Paint your palette blue...
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FRENCH COURTS: CA VA PAS, NON?!
Culture Places The Modern Trobadors

FRENCH COURTS: CA VA PAS, NON?!

 A February 1, 2012 ruling in France has left sensible people scratching their heads: Google has been ordered by a...
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JOËL DURAND SENDS US CHOCOLATES
Food People The Modern Trobadors

JOËL DURAND SENDS US CHOCOLATES

Second of a two-part article.These chocolates are so delicious that most people say, 'They are to die for.' I would...
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Food People The Modern Trobadors

MY FAVORITE CHOCOLATIER IN PROVENCE

First of two-part articleL'Alphabet des Saveurs chocolates  Photo: 1j2MSome of the best chocolates in the world hail from France. In...
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Culture Food People The Modern Trobadors Truffles

LONGING FOR BLACK TRUFFLES, CONSOLED BY FRAGRANT MEMORIES AND PATRICIA WELLS’ “SIMPLY TRUFFLES”

Today is the third Sunday in January, otherwise known as “The Mass for the Truffles” in Richerenches: the annual blessing,...
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7 Replies
Culture Music Places The Modern Trobadors

NINE NEW BELLS TO BE INSTALLED IN NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS: WHAT WOULD QUASIMODO SAY?

Paris’ famous Cathedral of Notre-Dame is about to celebrate its 850th anniversary. In anticipation of this major event, and amidst...
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Culture French Language History People The Modern Trobadors Wine Writers

ADAM GOPNIK IS RIGHT: THE TABLE COMES FIRST

As I write this week’s post, 2011 is about to roll into 2012 and I am reflecting on all the...
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33 Replies
Culture History The Modern Trobadors

LA POSTE: MEDIEVAL PRACTICES STILL LURK IN THE FRENCH POSTAL SYSTEM

By Louis J. Salome Author of “Violence, Veils, and Bloodlines:  Reporting from War Zones.” As Christmas and Hanukah approach, many...
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Culture Food The Modern Trobadors

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR VERRINES DE NOËL!

Having entered the season in which we all eat, drink and endeavor to be merry, I would like to introduce...
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9 Replies

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