The Most Beautiful Villages of Provence

The Most Beautiful Villages of Provence

A place apart, a land of outstanding beauty and distinction, Provence is nothing less than an earthly paradise. From one of the most famous coastlines in the world, the Cote d'Azur, to the hills and mountains of the Luberon, the variety and culture of its villages are astounding. It is in such small communities as those so beautifully photographed by Hugh Palmer that the true spirit of Provence is to be found. Brilliant sunlight slants across jostling terra-cotta roofs, and great plane trees cast velvety shade across ancient squares where the only sound is that of a moss-covered fountain. The Most Beautiful Villages of Provence stunningly evokes the beauty and spirit of Provence, which has drawn visitors to it from ancient times to the present day. Its enduring charm is here celebrated in Palmer's magnificent photographs of such gems as Riez and its fields of lavender or the mysterious cobbled paths of Crestet. These entrancing places, and many others, make this book a lasting tribute to a magical world. Featuring a special listing of hotels, restaurants, festivals, and markets, this book celebrates a part of the world that has entranced millions. 300 full-color photographs Jacobs, an art historian and travel writer (A Guide to Provence, Penguin, 1989), continues to demonstrate his knowledge of Provence in this work, the perfect complementary text to Palmer's compelling photography, seen most recently in The Water Garden (Thames and Hudson, 1993). Text and photographs illustrate the belief that Provence's multiple identities are best represented in its villages, which vary greatly in character and architecture, from the fascinating west through the tranquil center to the fortified Italianate east. The photographs of simple churches, fountains, shady squares, and cobbled lanes demand leisurely observation, always justifying the inclusion of each of the more than 30 villages chosen. Information on local festivals and markets, hotels, and restaurants is also included in this beautiful volume. Highly recommended for travel and architecture collections. William R. Smith, Johns Hopkins Univ. Lib., Baltimore, Md. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. Provence is a land apart, a territory of outstanding beauty and distinction that has exercised a fascination for outsiders since earliest times. It is the smaller communities that the true Provencal spirit can be found: in brilliant sunlight falling across the terracotta roofs of the hill villages, or in the velvety shade beneath the great plane trees in an ancient square. It is such scenes which are 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 variety of the villages of Provence is astounding. The Most Beautiful Villages of Provence is a celebration in 300 color illustrations of that variety, of a beauty and spirit that have continued to entrance outsiders to the present day. -- Midwest Book Review Michael Jacobs ’s books on European travel include A Guide to Provence . Hugh Palmer is one of Britain’s leading photographers of architecture and gardens. His books include The Most Beautiful Villages of Greece, The Most Beautiful Villages of Provence, and The Most Beautiful Villages of Ireland .