Lourmarin is ready for Fête de Noël. Frosty white fir trees have appeared along our petite rue below a canopy of lights. Throughout the village, once night has fallen, these fine strings of twinkle line the streets in rows of sparkling ribbons. …

When one thinks of Provence, the images that come to mind are those of summer. Sunflowers, lavender, olive trees, markets with brightly coloured table cloths blowing in the breeze, cobbled streets, shutters and vineyards. Whilst many of these things are …