For a friend's birthday, I would like to send her a really beautiful book on Provence. She's always wanted to go there and we may tour it together next year. I don't want a guidebook (DK, Fodors, etc.), but rather a great book of color photos and intriguing prose. (In English, please.) Any suggestions? (please include title and author.) Not just a Provence Style (home decor book), although that is a possibility if nothing else turns up.
Merci!

How about The Most Beautiful Villages of Provence, authors Michael Jacobs & Hugh Palmer? Really beautiful photos. ISBN 0-500-54187-6

See the suggestion by cigalechanta on http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34713778 - - as well as a Provence style/decor book which I recommended (and she calls her a candidate for her list which she calls "House Porn"! LOL!)

Best wishes,

Rex

I agree with the Most Beautiful Villages of Provence book...fabulous photos.

Or Provence: Timeless Places, by Alexandra Bonfante-Warren

Or Provence Harvest by Louisa Jones, Jacques Chibois, and Dan Barber - but it's a combination of landscapes and recipes

Or Provence: 500 Photos, by Gerhard Sioen

The Most Beautiful Villages of Provence sounds lovely, but it dates back to 1994...I'd like something a little newer.
Has anyone seen:
The Most Beautiful Country Towns of Provence (Most Beautiful Villages) by Helen Attlee? (sp may be off). Sounds similar and came out in 2002.
Will check out those other suggestions as well.
Thanks!

Take a look at "New French Country" by Linda Dannenberg. Chapters include "An Antique Mill in the Alpilles" and "French Country Fabrics." Photos are gorgeous.

Both of the "Most Beautiful" books are great! Have looked at both of them many times (would like to own either or both!). They are very helpful in planning which villages to see while in Provence. Of course, it makes the decision even harder when you see all those "beautiful" pictures of all the towns and villages. There is also a great description of each town that goes with the photos. I don't think the date of publication matters too much as these ancient villages look pretty much the same year after year. If you have a Barnes & Noble closeby, you might want to look at both books. We prefer the smaller villages - which I think is the country towns book.

I have "The Beautiful Provence Cookbook"," which is both lovely and useful.

Underhill, thanks, but cookbooks are probably out (my friend is vegetarian).

I agree with Underhill, The Beautiful Cookbook - Provence is great.

Yes, but is it a vegetarian cookbook?