A wonderful day exploring the Camargue. 🇫🇷

First up a fragrant lavender farm and museum, learning about the different types and therapeutic properties of this vibrant flower. Then on to the stunning gorges where the water has cut deep ravines in the rocks. Finally, back to the small village of Viviers, history was around every corner. We visited a beautiful 16th-century private home featuring a 12th-century window, with Roman ruins hidden beneath, an incredible reminder of the many layers of France`s rich past.

✨ Travel has a wonderful way of bringing history to life.

#Camargue #France #Viviers #TravelDiaries #RiverCruise #FrenchCountryside #LavenderFields #HistoricEurope #CulturalTravel #Wanderlust #LyndeyMilan

Do you know the French song Sur le Pont d’Avignon? 🎶🇫🇷 I learned it in French class at school (and a solo rendition on the ship was rewarded with a martini!)

Well, this is the famous bridge that inspired it!

The first stop on our cruise was Arles, where Vincent van Gogh lived and painted for several years. Seeing Arles firsthand, you can understand why Van Gogh was so captivated by this region.

The following day brought us to Avignon, a city layered with history, charm and stories around every corner.

One of the highlights was the bustling market. We bought fresh fish straight from the fishmonger and took it next door to a café, where they cooked it for us and served it with salad, vegetables and a lovely local wine. Clearly popular with locals as some young men were having a bachelor lunch!

From Van Gogh`s artistic legacy in Arles to medieval bridges, vibrant markets and wonderful food in Avignon, Provence has a remarkable way of bringing history vividly to life. ❤️

#Avignon #Arles #VanGogh #Provence #SouthOfFrance #FrenchHistory #LyndeyMilan #TravelFrance #TravelWithLyndey

Cruising along the coast from Sanary-sur-Mer to Cassis was one of those afternoons that reminds you just how extraordinary Provence can be. 🇫🇷💙

The towering calanques, their dramatic limestone cliffs plunging into impossibly turquoise water are breathtaking from the sea. Around every bend was another spectacular view, rugged, wild and utterly captivating.

Back in Sanury-sur-Mer, there was time to wander local markets to shop and cook, visit nearby Bandol and Cassis and soak up the relaxed rhythm of life that makes this corner of Provence so special.

Sometimes the best travel experiences are the simplest: a boat on the water, stunning scenery, good food, living like a local with the chance to slow down and truly take it all in. ❤️

#Provence #SanarySurMer #Cassis #Calanques #SouthOfFrance #FrenchRiviera #LyndeyMilan #TravelFrance #SlowTravel #FoodAndWine #MediterraneanLife #TravelWithLyndey

Loving Provence 🇫🇷✨

Relishing a glorious five days in the south of Provence, staying in the lovely little port of Sanary-sur-Mer. Much smaller and quieter than nearby Cassis or Bandol. Wonderful boat trip along the coast to see the towering calanques, incredible views. getting to know the local market, cooking and eating local and watching locals play boules (invented in nearby Le Ciotat). The locals are so chilled and friendly. Very special.

Next off on a cruise from Avignon to Lyon 🇫🇷✨

#France #TravelFrance #SlowTravel #LyndeyMilan #FoodAndTravel #Wanderlust #FrenchLife

So loving being back in France. Sanury sur Mer a new discovery & cruise nearly to Marseille to see incredible calanques. Produce as good as ever & loving cooking. #france #travelwithme #food #wine #provence

Still reflecting on the incredible talent showcased at the World Food Photography Awards this week 📸✨

So many powerful, beautiful and unexpected ways of capturing food, from intimate, everyday moments to breathtaking, artistic compositions 🌍🍽️

Being part of the judging panel is always a reminder of just how creative and emotional food can be when seen through a different lens.

What a fabulous evening celebrating the creativity, passion and extraordinary talent on display. ❤️ Sponsored by Tenderstem® Bimi® Broccolini there were lots of delicious, creative canapés featuring this vegetable as well as others. The wine flowed as did Champagne Taittinger with superb service. The room was buzzing and the standard of photography was truly outstanding.

It was also a pleasure to see Genaro Contaldo and Chair of Judges David Loftus MCing in an amusing double act. David is surely the world’s greatest food photographer. I first met two young Italian photographers last year when they were both finalists in the awards. This year, they again took home a win, a wonderful achievement to witness.

There were quite a few Australian finalists including my friend Marie Helene Cauzon @marieheleneclauzon, shortlisted last year and in the top three for innovation this year.

A special congratulations too to Chris Elfes @elfesimagesofficial who photographed me during the filming of Lyndey Milan’s Taste of Australia in the Hunter Valley with Neil McGuigan back in 2012 or 2013. Chris was among this year’s winners with a stunning image capturing the hidden vineyards of Pokolbin.

#WorldFoodPhotographyAwards #FoodPhotography #FoodArt #LyndeyMilan #FoodInspiration #CulinaryCreativity #FoodStories