South of France

by Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls

Book Overview

Discover the unspoilt beauty of France's most legendary regions as well as the more famous hot-spots. From the glamour of St Tropez to the tranquil hills of Provence, this guide explores the whole... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1860118046
• ISBN13: 9781860118043
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Cadogan Guides
• Length: 636 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A wonderful book!

I have purchased several books for my trip to Europe, and this is my favorite one. It is very practical and fun to read! I especially enjoyed the background/history sections (even though I'm not a history fan)-- they provide for such an amazing context. There is lots of humor and neat facts that you can share with friends while reading. Made the planning part of my journey so much more enjoyable!

Beautifully written, vivid description

Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (12/06) France has long been one of my favorite countries, and the south of France must be one of the most beautiful places on this planet. If you've ever had a chance to spend some time there, I am certain you will never forget the colors and the scents of that wondrous region. Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls have written a phenomenal guidebook to this extraordinary region, filled with an incredible amount of useful information as well as some of the most sparkling travel writing that I have read in quite a while. Just listen to this: "By 19 BC, the fountain of Nemausus could no longer slake Nîmes' thirst, and a search was on for a new source. The Romans were obsessed with the quality of their water, and when they found a crystal-clear spring called the Eure near Uzès, the fact that it was 48km away hardly posed an obstacle to antiquity's star engineers. The resulting aqueduct, built under Augustus' son-in-law Agrippa, was like a giant needle hemming the landscape, piercing tunnels through hills and looping its arches over the open spaces of the garrigues, and all measured precisely to allow a slope of .07 centimetres per metre. [...] ... the Roman engineers knuckled down, ordered a goodly supply of neatly dressed stone from the nearby quarries at Vers, and built the Pont du Gard, at 157ft the highest of all Roman aqueducts and, along with the span in Segovia, the best preserved in the world. ... No matter how many photos you've seen before, the aqueduct's three tiers of arches of golden stone without mortar make a brave and lovely sight...." If a description like this does not whet your appetite to see the Pont du Gard, I truly do not know what could. You can nearly see the Roman engineers scratching their heads, trying to figure how to design the aqueduct; and hear them arguing about whose solution is best... In addition to such brilliantly vivid descriptions, the guidebook offers all of the usual and necessary information for a visitor to the area, with listings for over 600 places to stay, over 450 places to eat and drink, plus lots of practical information, 60 area and city maps and more. The 26 color photographs in the first section will certainly introduce the amazing colors of the region, but you will have to visit in person to get the scents and sounds of it right. Two sections that I liked particularly well were the "Further Reading" section at the very end of the book as well as the great sections on where to taste and buy the local wine, which can be found throughout the book. I would recommend "South of France" highly to anybody who wishes to explore the South of France in more depth. And if you are unable to go there in person, this guidebook could help transport you there by simply reading a chapter and closing your eyes.

ooh lala

My husband and I are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel once or twice a year. I always plan for our trips by buying and studying 3 guidebooks, one with lots of pictures, the Blue Guide to the site in question, and if available, the Cadogan guide. Most guide books contain practical information and cover the major tourist attractions almost like a top-ten list. The Cadogan guides, written by individuals who have lived in the region, delve much deeper, providing coverage of smaller, little known places that are fun to find and explore. I know of no better way to discover and experience local life and color. We are independent travellers, almost always booking flights, cars, and reservations on our own on the web. We also enjoy delving into places off the beaten track. The detail in Cadogan is much more encompassing than that in any other guide we have used. The driving directions are usually right on the money. Its literary, architectural, and historical information is particularly helpful. We have discovered many little known gems because of these guides. If you prefer group tours that stop for short periods at several locations, Loire and other Cadogan books are too detailed. But if you have the time to wander a bit, these are the guides for you. Regarding South of France specifically, its coverage of artists, writers, ancient ruins, food and wine, history, villages, beaches, and local color is superb. Vignettes are provided for each area on topics of interest unique to the site. An added bonus is the enjoyment of rereading the guide to stimulate memories of where we've been. Can't recommend South of France highly enough if you have the time for an extended visit.

Discover Cadogan!

Though many in the U.S. are more familiar with hearing names like Fodor's or Rough Guide, Cadogan Guides are among the best you will ever find! I orginally checked out this series because the guide series I wanted was sold out. However, as soon as I began flipping through these guides, I was hooked. You will not find a higher-quality product in any price range! Full of cultural insight and truly HELPFUL tourist info, Cadogan gives you a feel of what or where exactly you are visiting and why it is important. Cleverly written, the editors are able to infuse a dose of humor without detracting from the factual presentation. This guide will not only give you all the maps, directions, tips, and hints for success on your trip to Southern France, but will actually teach you enough so that you don't HAVE to feel like a tourist. Witty, insightful, and affordable, Cadogan Guides remain the best buy for your money. They will also work great as a cultural supplement to any bare-bones guides you're taking.

Another excellent travel book from Cadogan

If you are looking for a travel guide that not only provides an overview of the most important sights, places to eat, stay, etc., but does so in a contextualized setting where you also have at your fingertips a detailed description of the region's history, art, architecture, culture, and cuisine, then the Cadogan series will be the perfect match. This is the kind of travel guide that you can read just for fun, to learn about a place and its history, even if you have no intention of or opportunity to visit the place in person. Once you've flipped through its pages, though, chances are it will have whet your appetite to get on the next plane and explore everything you've just read about. As with the Cadogan books on Italy and Spain by the same authors, this book gives an excellent detailed summary of the political and social history of southern France, along with chapters on the area's different cultures, languages, and arts. This introductory material is followed by a series of chapters devoted to each sub-region, including an unusually strong emphasis on the Languedoc in addition to Provence.