That’s a good question because for us English-speakers, it can be difficult to find out. Here is a recommended website, a topical blog and a free book to look out for.
For information on places to visit and events, have a look at http://www.marvellous-provence.com/. The website used to be ‘marseille-provence’ but has now widened out to becoming a guide to the whole area. Sheila, a British journalist who lives in Provence, is building up a literally marvellous resource for people living locally or for visitors. A must for your list of bookmarks.
Another resource that has recently widened out is http://provencetoday.blogspot.fr/. It began life as a Provence-focused news blog but now encompasses the whole of France. Anne-Marie Symons, an American journalist living in Aix, explains the background to news stories, patiently unteasing some of the more labyrinthine situations. Over Christmas there was a particularly puzzling CGT strike in Marseille that had me scratching my head….and I found her blog very helpful in understanding the situation. Her current blog focuses on the recent government changes. She has also written ‘Taking Root in Provence’ , which is not, thank goodness about restoring a wonderful farmhouse, but rather a guide to understanding the area; an interesting read.
Finally, if you are in Aix, look out for Sesame…which opened, gives you nearly 300 pages of
restaurant overviews for Aix, Pays d’Aix, villages around the Ste-Victoire and Sud Luberon. It’s advertising-driven so doesn’t contain independent reviews but has pages of ideas of where to eat, their details, prices and nice colour pix of resto interiors and typical dishes. Also included vineyards and some bakeries and food shops. Contains maps.
A very useful reference guide for the Aixois. It’s free and available in cafés and restaurants in town; hopefully from the tourist offices too.
Alternatively info on www.guide-sesame.com.
Soon there will be a bit more for us English speakers on Marseille 😉