Provence is a land apart, a territory of outstanding beauty and distinction that has exercised a fascination for outsiders sinceealiest times. The greeks, the Romans, the tribes of the north, and the Moors have all left their traces in its villages and small towns, from the hills and mountains of the Lubéron and the vinegrowing country of the Var, to the villages perchés of the Alpes-Maritimes.

It is in these smaller communities that the true Provençal spirit can be found in brilliant sunlight falling across the terrocotta roofs of the hill villages, or in the velvety shade beneath the great plane trees in an ancient square--the country of Marcel Pagnol and Jean de Florette. It is such scenes which are to be celebrated here in Hugh Palmer's stunning photographs and Michael Jacobs' evocative account of the most beautiful villages of this, the best loved of all French provinces.

The book opens with the villages of the Vaucluse and the Bouches-du-Rhône, the western part of the province, the region of such architectural gems as Bonnieux and Gordes. Moving east to the Var and eventually the mountains of the Alpine départements, author and photographer together draw out the special characteristics of each region.

The variety of the villages of Provence is outstanding. This book is a celebration of that variety, of a beauty and spirit that have continued to entrance outsiders to the present day. For the visitor, there are specially compiled listings of hotels, resturants, festivals, and markets to complete this magnificent photographic tribute to the beauties of Provence and its villages.

ISBN 0-500-54187-6 · 10" x 12 ¹/₄" · 300 color illustrations · 224 pages· TRAVEL / PHOTOGRAPHY

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