Anne-Marie Simons returns with more about living an idyllic life in Provence and news of her new book, Taking Root in Provence. Read on for ideas about feasts, festivals and the many things to see and do in Aix-en-Provence, Marseilles, Saint-Rémy, Camargue, Avignon and more.

You don't have to be a math whiz or even particularly fluent in French... to feel like a dummy at a French cash register! Read on...

Everybody knows Paul Cézanne, famous painter born in Aix-en-Provence, but how many people know John Rewald? Yet, it is Rewald who greatly contributed to the recognition of Cézanne's genius and who is responsible for the preservation of Cézanne's studio, which remains one of the most popular tourist sites in Aix today.

If you love to dance the tango, come South! Throughout the year, tangueras et tangueros passionnés can dance the night away in Nîmes, Avignon, Montpellier, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence and more. A delightful and very affordable passion (shoe purchases excepted), tango has taken the region by storm, attracting all ages from many walks of life. Tango stresses elegance, grace and the dance of the sexes—perhaps this is why the French love it so.

France in general, and Provence in particular, has always attracted artists. They came, they saw the light, they stayed and talked their fellow artists into joining them. Van Gogh and Gauguin settled in Arles; Matisse, Chagall and Picasso chose the Riviera. Writer and American ex-pat Ann-Marie Simons tells us about Provence, where she's lived for 10 years.

Driving or biking through Provence in mid-summer, you’ll see lavender fields of every size and hue. The main growing area is the triangle between Sault, Banon and Sederon, and another prominent area spreads out on the other side of Mont Ventoux, north of Nyons. But pretty much all of Provence is radiant with the famous Blue Gold, as lavender is known, throughout the month of July.

It’s inevitable that when there’s a large English expat community, there will be stores catering to the foreigners. After all, we have our needs and wants too. We’re definitely part of the French community but it’s tedious having to ask our visitors from "back home" to bring us some of the foods we crave.

What Aix-en-Provence is to opera, Avignon is to theater. During the month of July each has a festival and for one month Avignon becomes the theater capital of France. It is impressive enough to know that Avignon puts on over thirty "official" productions (le festival "In"), but the "unofficial" shows (referred to as "le Off") far outnumber the official program and have become to some the festival of choice.

Summer is just around the French corner and the crickets are courting down here in Provence, inviting busybodies to slow down in time to feel the bucolic breeze and other summertime treats. Ease into the season with this hot weather hymn.