Berlingots, small stripped triangular candies, have been manufactured in the city of Carpentras for centuries. There is a legend that states that Pope Clément V invented the Berlingots of Carpentras in 1310.

Above is a tribute to Van Gogh's A Starry Night by Arman, the French painter, sculptor and artist whose work is currently on exhibit in Les Baux de Provence. This photo was provided by the Arman Foundation whom I thank. But in no way does this image fully capture the impressive size and power of the artwork.

Roussillon artist Aristides Balanos, originally from Athens Greece, is hosting a vernissage on July 24th from 3 pm-10pm at L'Isle D'Art, a contemporary gallery, on rue Carnot in Isle sur la Sorgue.

Danika Boyle, a talented chef based in Austin whom I first met when she was in Provence running one of her culinary tours in 2009, has agreed to share her recipe.

The Montgolfière is named after the two brothers, Joseph Michel and Jacques Etienne Montgolfier, who invented the hot air balloon in the late 1700's.

If you think Provence is worth a detour definately add Corsica to your wish list.

Scuba diving off the coast of the Island of Cavallo and the Lavezzi Islands will put you in the heart of a marine reserve which is ridden with "merou" or grouper in English.

From March 3 - 6th, 2011 Paris will host the Festival du Livre Culinaire or The Paris Cookbook Fair, the largest cookbook and wine book meeting in the world which draws authors, publishers and foodies from all continents.

Each July the town of  St.Remy de Provence hosts a 3 day Festival with wine and local artisans at center stage.

The online ticket sales for this world renowned music festival which runs from July 5 - 25, 2011 open at NOON (French time) on January 28th , 2011 www.festival-aix.com.

Independant winegrowers from the Bouches du Rhones, Var, Vaucluse, Alps de Haute Provence and Corsica will be exhibiting their wine in Marseilles on February 7 and 8th at the Pharo http://palaisdupharo.marseille.fr.

Wine tastings by 65 regional winemakers is planned on January 30th, 2011 at the Cloitre du Couvent de Saint-Maximin which is considered to be one of the most beautiful gothic Provençal buildings.