A lavishly illustrated survey includes coverage of the regional centers of Arles and UzFd, the antique markets of L'Isle-sur-la-Sourge, the Riviera resort of HyFres, the mountainous Saint-Martin-VTsubie, coastal and Italianate Menton, and perfume capital Grasse. 20,000 first printing. BOMC.
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • In this witty and warm-hearted account, Peter Mayle tells what it is like to realize a long-cherished dream and actually move into a 200-year-old stone farmhouse in the remote country of the Lubéron with his wife and two large dogs. He endures January's frosty mistral as it comes howling down the Rhône Valley, discovers the secrets of goat racing through the middle of town, and delights in the glorious regional cuisine. A Year in Provence transports us into all the earthy pleasures of Provençal life and lets us live vicariously at a tempo governed by seasons, not by days.
Discover the 158 most picturesque villages to visit in France in the newest edition of this illustrated travel guide. From Vézelay with its UNESCO listed Sainte-Madeleine basilica, to Piana’s dramatic cliffs in Corsica, and from Ménerbes’s Provençal charm to Olargues’s origins dating back to prehistory, this illustrated guide unveils the beauty of rural France, providing complete visitor information for these exceptionally preserved destinations. Carefully selected each year, the featured French villages are replete with historical, architectural, and natural riches. A brief history of each village is accompanied by recommendations for monuments, museums, places to visit, accommodation options ranging from hotels to campsites, restaurants, markets, artisanal products and local specialties. Details on leisure activities encompass festivals, events, and excursions that encourage visitors to explore the surrounding area on foot, by canoe, or on horseback. This fully updated new edition includes a supplement on the history of more than twenty sweet gourmet regional specialties. In addition to an overview map of France, each village is featured on an easy-to-read detail road map, accompanied by indications for the best way to arrive by car, train, and airplane. Suggestions for neighboring villages that should not be missed simplify itinerary planning. Cross references and an index by region complete this practical, authoritative, and accessible illustrated guide.
An insider’s tour of France’s most beloved and beautiful villages uncovers the country’s hidden treasures. The Best Loved Villages of France brings the reader on a tour of forty-four of the country’s most treasured destinations. Always picturesque, but often well-kept secrets, the book offers insight into village life and local history. Take a tour of a crumbling medieval fortress with the mayor of Lavardin or peruse the maritime objects found at sea by a mustached fisherman in Saint-Suliac. Stroll along the coast of the Wissant bay windsurfer’s paradise or promenade through the manicured grounds of Vaux-le-Vicomte. Watch the sunrise over the fairy-tale castle in Montsoreau or enjoy a fresh langoustine dinner in Piana, Corsica. This book offers an illustrated tour around all twenty-two regions of France, from Provence and the Alps, to Normandy and the Loire. Aerial and intimate photographs invite the reader to explore these splendid locales, while the descriptions, anecdotes, and interviews with local village-dwellers plunge you into the individual history and character of France’s diverse regions. The villages featured in the book were selected in a popular vote by the French public and they represent an authentic journey into the heart of France.
Can a two-career couple really pick up stakes and move to Provence?Keith and Val had a dream ? to live in Provence, the land of brilliant sunlight, charming hilltop villages and the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean.But there were two problems: they weren't French speakers and they had full-time jobs. So they came up with a plan?Follow their adventures (and misadventures) as they quit their jobs, become consultants and split their time between two countries. Laugh along as they build a life in Provence, slowly mastering a new language and making friends with the locals over long meals and just a bit too much wine.This light and breezy memoir is full of wry observations on France, like the power of cheese to sway elections, the right and wrong ways for men to kiss each other, and the law requiring that blood donors must speak French.If you've ever dreamed of changing gears and learning what joie de vivre is really all about, you won't want to miss this delightful book.
Provence, France, is justly famous for its dazzling light, vibrant colors, rich history, and flavorful foods and wines. And its markets have been the beating heart of Provençal life since the Middle Ages. In Markets of Provence, Marjorie R. Williams whisks you away to 30 of the best. This pocketable guide, complete with detailed maps and organized by days of the week, gives you all the information you need for your visit to this Mediterranean region. Included are: indispensable advice on timing, navigation, negotiation and payment; tips on etiquette while surveying vendors' produce; and even some French language lessons to help you brush up on your essential français. Complete with restaurant recommendations and other useful tips, this book will help you get the most out of the experience. Supplemented with beautiful full-color photographs and color-coded maps, Markets of Provence is a must-have for every traveler.