Everyone loves the idea of the South of France in summer. But the reality? The crowds, the traffic, the high prices, the attitude? Not so much. But there's an alternative worth exploring. It's planned to reduce your stress level—and what's not to like about that?

Tucked away in a corner gallery of the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris’s 13th arrondissement are two stunning pieces of irreplaceable French patrimony. The luminous "Coronelli Globes" hang front and center in an exhibition space filled with maps and other smaller globes, all interesting to be sure. But the Coronelli Globes are astonishing in their size and rich deep-blue beauty. And they tell an interesting story of a relationship between a Franciscan monk-cartographer and a king.

It’s only been a day, or possibly a week, but the Paris I love has changed complexion. It’s not that I’m not still enamored with the city—it’s simply different. After giving the August-September phenomena some thought, I realize my new year always began in September because that’s when we returned to school. Perhaps we’re eternally school children at heart no matter what nationality is stamped on our passport. As some children say, “Good night, Moon,” perhaps we should say, “Goodbye, August.” But, there will be another one.

I’ve written before (most recently in September 2009) about the offshoots of great restaurants and restaurateurs, starting in my memory with the Bistrots d’à Côté of Michel Rostang (1978) and then the second restaurants (Bistrots de l’Etoile) of Guy Savoy and following that those of Jacques Cagna, Joel Robuchon, Thierry Breton and Bernard Loiseau.

Perhaps in the old days the cops used to come into his courtroom with arch-criminals like these, and maybe he sent them up for a week or two or fined them or thundered at them and told them to go back where they came from (ah, those old days).  And maybe he got plain sick of it and said, Enough, goodbye, let them sell their fruit or dope or sisters or dirty pictures since after all you’re buying, aren’t you, and why should I get in the way of commerce, enterprise, and the aspirations of immigrants?

There are many sorts of recipes for apples such as compotes, tartes, beignets, gâteaux, gelées and much more. This week's flan recipe was handed down to me by my belle-mère (mother-in-law). It is a simple but delicious way to prepare an apple dessert.

The rentrée begins in early September when everyone returns home to Paris from their time away on holiday. September brings in warm days of an Indian summer, giving all a chance to sit on a terrace in the glorious sun for a final touch of summer before it passes us by. And with the rentrée comes a slew of new offerings to get back up to speed in the City of Light for great events and nightlife!

Has your summer flown by as quickly as mine? It's hard to believe la rentrée is just a couple of weeks away! As I strolled around the market this Saturday, I was looking for ways to hold onto summer for just a bit longer. Visions of Provence and pique-niques popped into my head as I walked past tomatoes piled high into the baskets. One farmer had tucked huge bouquets of basil in among his tomatoes, which inspired this recipe for a savory cake.

La Tour d'Argent has a new and talented young chef, and owner André Terrail is doing some urban beekeeping with six beehives on the roof.

Visiting the famous wine villages of the Southern Rhone Valley—Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras and others—can be a bit daunting if you don’t know the area, don’t know much about wine or don’t know which labels you love. Some tasting rooms are open to the public during normal hours; others require an appointment. And some vineyards offer no tasting at all. Where to begin and how to make the most of your time?

How many of you see a wine and in fact may order it but have no idea what it’s all about? It is like when you are a bachelor or bachelorette and you pass by the underwear you threw on the floor a day or two ago—you see it but it is just there waiting for something nice to happen. Well, say hello to my little friend, Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It translates to “New Castle of the Pope”.

Blame it on that movie “Taken,” about a girl named Amanda getting abducted trying to make her way from the airport into Paris, but I get a bit twitchy about ground transportation upon arrival in France. I recognize that this is an unfounded, irrational fear; as long as one does not abandon her common sense, there are a myriad of reasonable options to get into Paris from the airport(s). Sometimes, though, this means also doing a little homework.

International shipping is a miracle. That anyone gets anything is totally amazing. My furniture left my house in Provence and came to my house in California over three months later. God only knows how many people handled the shipment.