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.

A celebration of the most enchanting hamlets in France, now available in a popular format. Gorgeously illustrated as well as informative, One Hundred & One Beautiful Small Towns in France is a tour through the pleasures of the French countryside, a place where the pace slows, locals engage strangers in conversation, and every town presents a unique set of curiosities waiting to be discovered. Whether you are an armchair traveler or a Francophile planning another trip, this volume is the guide to the hidden treasures of France that proves once and for all that the heart of this popular travel destination lies in the countryside far from the grandeur and pomp of Paris. Wander the serpentine alleyways of the rockbound coastal fishing villages in Brittany and Normandy; explore medieval masterpieces in Alsace and order flammekueche, this region’s thin-crusted pizza; spend a day in the Ile-de-France, the green surround of Paris, and visit the magnificent Château de Versailles, or the palace at Fontainebleau, a treasure trove of mannerist delights. One Hundred & One Beautiful Small Towns in France is a map to the heart and soul of the French countryside, complete with a full appendix of restaurants, hotels, and shops to aid even the most seasoned travelers and Francophiles.

Ten years ago, Janine Marsh decided to leave her corporate life behind to fix up a run-down barn in northern France. This is the true story of her rollercoaster ride.

Shows and describes the southwestern region of France also known as the Perigord

True Provencal spirit comes alive here through photographs and evocative accounts of the best-loved of all French provinces.

Told in a series of stylish, original essays, New York Times travel bestseller 100 Places in France Every Woman Should Go is for the serious Francophile and anyone who loves crisp stories well told. Like all great travel writing, this collection goes beyond the guidebook and offers insight not only about where to go but why to go there. Combining advice, memoir, and meditations on the glories of traveling through France, this book is the must-have for anyone—woman or man—voyaging to or just dreaming of France. Award-winning writer Marcia DeSanctis draws on years of travels and life in France to lead you through vineyards, architectural treasures, fabled gardens, and contemplative hikes from Biarritz to Deauville, Antibes to the French Alps. These 100 entries capture art, history, food, fresh air, beaches, wine, and style and along the way, she tells the stories of many fascinating women who changed the country’s destiny. Ride a white horse in the Camargue, seek iconic paintings of women in Paris, try thalassotherapy in St. Malo, shop for raspberries at Nice’s Cour Saleya market—these and 96 other pleasures are rendered with singular style. The stories are sexy, literary, spiritual, profound, and overall, simply gorgeous. 100 Places in France Every Woman Should Go is an indispensable companion for the smart and curious love of France.

Author and teacher Mark Greenside recounts his struggles to fit into the life of a small Celtic village in Brittany.

Gift in memory of Helen Wilson.

Discover the hidden treasures of the 153 most picturesque villages to visit in France with this fully illustrated comprehensive travel guide. From the half-timbered Alsatian houses of Eguisheim to the lavender fields of Montclus in the Languedoc-Roussillon, this fully illustrated guide unveils the beauty of rural France, providing visitor’s information for these exceptionally preserved destinations. Carefully chosen each year through a rigorous selection process, the French villages featured in this official guide are replete with historical, architectural, and natural riches. An introductory paragraph presents the location and history of each village and is accompanied by recommendations for monuments, museums, and other notable places to visit. Practical information includes accommodation options ranging from hotels to campsites, restaurants and markets, and artisanal produce and local specialties. Details on leisure activities encompass festivals and events, sports, golf, and other excursions that encourage visitors to explore the surrounding area on walks and hikes, by canoe, or on horseback. The book includes an overview map of France, and each village is featured on an easy-to-read road map, accompanied by the best way to arrive by road, train, and airplane. Suggestions for neighboring villages and sites that should not be missed, along with their proximity, simplifies itinerary planning. Cross-references and an index by region complete this practical, authoritative, and accessible guide.

Imagine awakening in a castle. You slip out of your poster bed, open french windows and step onto a stone balcony. You take in the view of surrounding vineyards that slope down to a quaint tile-roofed village in the misty river valley below. This isn't a dream. You can actually spend the night in an authentic French chateau or manor house, one with all the personal care of a bed-and-breakfast. For centuries, the country's small chateaux have remained secret, closed to all but the families of the owners. But in recent years, in efforts to generate revenue for preservation, many families are throwing open the doors and inviting the public in to stay. French Country Hideaways takes you inside 35 of these hidden gems where you can experience true French country living. At these chateaux d'hote you will meet the owner-innkeeper and get to know the individual spirit of the place. These off-the-beaten-track estates were selected because each possesses a unique bond to the land. None of the properties has more than fifteen guest rooms, and most offer table d'hote meals in the evenings that showcase the specialties of the region. France remains the number one European destination for Americans, and its three most popular regions are the focus here. Gloriously photographed by Franco-American Stephanie Cardon and complete with listings for recommended nearby restaurants and activities, French Country Hideaways is a wonderful guide for those planning or just dreaming about a visit to these enchanted landscapes.