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THE MOST BEAUTIFUL
COUNTRY TOWNS OF PROVENCE Text by Helena Attlee Photographs by Alex Ramsay A selection of Book-of-the-Month-Club
In the small towns one finds the true spirit of Provence. Terracotta roofs cling at strange angles to stone and plaster; deep, velvety shade covers the ground beneath tall plane trees in some peaceful square, enlivened by the sound of water from an ancient fountain. Sometimes calm, sometimes vibrant, but always timelessly appealing, the most beautiful country towns of Provence are presented here in Alex Ramsay's perceptive photographs and Helena Attlee's evocative commentaries. This magnificently illustrated survey opens in the west of the province, marked by the Roman presence and home to the lively regional centers of Arles and Uzès. In the center of Provence—the départements of Var and Vaucluse—are such attractions as L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, famous for its antique markets, and Hyères, one of the first resorts on the Riviera. Haute-Provence and Maritimes, which sweep around the north of the province and finally descend to the sea in the east, embrace the varied gems of mountainous Saint-Martin-Vésubie, coastal and Italianate Menton, and Grasse, perfume capital of the world. The variety revealed in this visual and textual feast is incredible—and all set in the dramatic contours of one of Europe's most striking landscapes. Like other volumes in this internationally best-selling series, The Most Beautiful Country Towns of Provence is completed by lists of sights to visit and places to stay and to eat. Helena Attlee, a journalist specializing in European travel and gardens, is a regular contributor to World of Interiors, House & Garden, and Country Life. Alex Ramsay was the photographer for The Most Beautiful Country Towns of Tuscany. ISBN 0-500-51087-3 · 10 1/4" x 12 1/2" · 260 color illustrations · 208 pages · TRAVEL / PHOTOGRAPHY |
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The outstanding beauty and distinction of the small towns of Provence have proved irresistibly attractive to visitors from America for the best part of a century. From the hills and mountains of the Alps and the Lubéron to the rich vine-growing country of the Var and the delightful coastal resorts, these communities are special places indeed.