Provincial France | Small Group Tour for Seniors

This small group program explores the remote mountain plateaux, perched villages and dramatic gorges as well as the Mediterranean coastline.Travel with like-minded people on this tour especially designed for the mature traveller. The villages of Alsace provide an introduction to the diversity which is France. In Burgundy we explore the local villages. Then onto the Jura Mountains, a region rarely visited by tourists. Finally, Provence and the Côte d’Azur, regions of inspiration for artists such as Van Gogh, Cézanne and Picasso.

From A$17,215AUD

Available

Highlights

  1. 1. Venture into Germany’s Black Forest from Alsace and into Switzerland’s Geneva with a trip on its famous lake from the Jura.
  2. 2. Train à Grande Vitesse (TGV) which travels at 300 kilometres per hour through the French countryside.
  3. 3. Provence with its perfume at Grasse, St Paul de Vence along with the Cote d’Azur, the old port of Nice and Antibes.
  4. 4. In Burgundy, canal boating and explore the quintessential towns and villages of Dijon and Beaune.
Provincial France | Small Group Tour for Seniors itinerary

Departure Dates

Departure Date Price
20 May 2024

Ends 11 June 2024

A$17,215 Twin

A$19,415 Single

Available
Selected
15 September 2024

Ends 07 October 2024

A$17,215 Twin

A$19,415 Single

Available
19 May 2025

Ends 09 June 2025

A$17,995 Twin

A$20,295 Single

Available
14 September 2025

Ends 06 October 2025

A$17,995 Twin

A$20,295 Single

Available
18 May 2026

Ends 08 June 2026

A$17,995 Twin

A$20,295 Single

Available
20 September 2026

Ends 13 October 2026

A$17,995 Twin

A$20,295 Single

Available

Provincial France Small Group Tour for Seniors

On this small group tour exploring provincial France, drift through Alsace, Burgundy, Provence and the stunning Jura Mountains on the byways and waterways of France. With a key focus on the region's history, our French foray commences in Alsatian wine country and concludes in Paris, after detouring through the south of France. Our escorted tours are designed specifically for mature-aged and senior travellers - whether travelling solo or with a companion - who prefer small group travel with an educational focus. These tours are fully escorted, accompanied by an Odyssey Program Leader and local guides.

Provincial France Small Group Tour Itinerary

Our dreamy tour of provincial France opens in Alsace to the country's north-east. Bordered by Switzerland to the south and Germany to the east, this region is unlike anywhere else in the world. Its vine-clad slopes and half-timbered villages are the stuff of fairy tales, and they are overlooked by the rolling Vosges Mountains. The Alsatian capital, Strasbourg, tells of a history of contention with Germany that has led to profound Germanic influences. Now the official seat of the European parliament, the city's medieval past is inscribed in the pastel-hued buildings that shimmer in its watery canals.

On our guided tours of the destinations, we visit Beaune, Dijon, Geneva, Lyon, Nice, and many more villages in between. We explore Burgundy, once a great medieval Duchy, but now better known for its quaint villages and slow-flowing canals. We cross briefly into Switzerland and check out the Jura Mountains, a region rarely visited by tourists. This range of wooded hills and undulating plateaux is known for its untapped wilderness.

We next explore southern France, exploring Provence and the Côte d'Azur, France's sun-drenched southeastern regions which have inspired artists such as Van Gogh, Cézanne and Picasso. In the summer months, holidaymakers flock to the beaches and chic resorts. However, in the relatively quiet spring we explore the remote mountain plateaux, perched villages and dramatic gorges, as well as the Mediterranean coastline. While in Provence we also learn about the region’s Roman heritage and the cultural aspects of this stunning place.

We board the Train à Grande Vitesse (TGV), France's famous high-speed train, traversing the countryside en route to Paris where the tour concludes after a farewell dinner in the city of light, possibly dining alfresco on the cobblestone streets.

You can learn more about France with our country profile where all other tour departures are listed as well. For more details about this tour, click the ‘Top 5’ or ‘Itinerary’ buttons above! If you’re keen to experience this tour, please call or send an email. Or, to book, simply fill in the form on the right-hand side of this page.

Articles about France published by Odyssey Traveller

The following list of articles, represents some of the articles published by Odyssey Traveller for mature aged and senior travellers to maximise their knowledge and enjoyment of France and in particular the Eastern side of the country when visiting;

External articles to assist you plan your visit to France

Itinerary

23 days

Day 1: Zurich

Accommodation: Radisson Zurich Airport Hotel or similar

On arrival in Zurich, we meet for a welcome dinner and orientation.

Day 2: Turckheim - Riquewihr - Turckheim

Accommodation: Hotel Des Deux Clefs or similar

This morning we transfer by coach to the village of Turckheim in the Alsatian wine region. This picturesque spot will be our base for the next six days as we take day trips to explore the countryside.

Along the way, we stop in at Riquewihr, a popular destination for lovers of historic architecture. We take a tour of the city, including its Town Hall, interesting fountains and the Thieves’ Tower – former site of a historic prison.

The village of Riquewihr continues to be built around its heritage wine industry. We experience a wine tasting at Domaine Dopff et Irion, Chateau de Riquewihr. Afterwards, we travel the 20 minutes to Turckheim where we check into our hotel. Dinner will be provided tonight.

Day 3: Turckheim - Freiburb - Schainsland - Turckheim

Accommodation: Hotel Des Deux Clefs or similar

Today, we cross into Germany in order to further our understanding of the Germanic influence in this region. We make our way to Freiburg via the Grand Canal D’Alsace, channel of the mighty Rhine River. Freiburg is a vibrant university city in Germany’s Black Forest.

From here, we step aboard the Schauinslandbahn, Germany’s longest cable car. It stretches for 3.6km providing panoramic views of Freiburg, the Rhine Valley, and the Kaiserstuhl and Vosges Mountain ranges. It takes us to Shauinsland, a mountain whose name translates to ‘look-into-the-country’.

From here, we head back to Turckheim and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 4: Turckheim - Strasbourg - Turckheim

Accommodation: Hotel Des Deux Clefs or similar

Our destination today is Strasbourg, vibrant capital of Alsace, which is located roughly 1.5 hours from Turckheim. On arrival, we take a boat tour along the Strasbourg canals to orient ourselves, before delving into the city’s main sights.

They include La Petite France, once a poor area occupied by mills and tanneries. Today, the reflections of its pretty 16th and 17th century houses shimmer in the surrounding waterways. And the Barrage Vauban, a defensive bridge and weir built by legendary military engineer Sebastien Vauban in the 17th century.

We have entrance to the stunning Cathedral de Notre Dame. Subject to availability, we will visit the European Parliament. Our final stop today is the Cave Historic, a 600-year-old wine cellar located in the Strasbourg Hospital. Afterwards, we return to our hotel in Turckheim.

Day 5: Turckheim - Colmar - Turckheim

Accommodation: Hotel Des Deux Clefs or similar

This morning is set aside for your leisure.

In the afternoon, we travel to nearby Colmar to explore. We view the city’s main sights, including Adolf House, built around 1350 and named for Auguste Adolf – its last private owner. This well preserved house is thought to be Colmar’s oldest. We also view Pfister House, the first example of Renaissance architecture in the city. We check out Little Venice and Saint Martin’s Church and visit the Hansi Village and Museum. Hansi was the pseudonym of the Colmarian writer and water-colourist Jean-Jacques Waltz (1873-1951). The museum provides insights into Colmar as it was during the artist’s lifetime.

Afterwards, we return to Turckheim. We have dinner in a local restaurant tonight.

Day 6: Turckheim - Route des Cretes - Turckheim

Accommodation: Hotel Des Deux Clefs or similar

We spend a full day touring the Alsatian countryside today, along the Route Des Cretes. Partly built during WWI to supply French frontline troops, the Route des Cretes (Route of the Crests) takes you to the Vosges’ highest ballons – the bald, crested mountain peaks that top the mountains. We take in several WWI sites en route. The Crest Road links up Cernay and Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines over 77 kilometres.

Following this, we stop in at a Munster Fromagerie for a talk and cheese tasting. We then return to our hotel in Turckheim.

Day 7: Turckheim

Accommodation: Hotel Des Deux Clefs or similar

Today is made up of two separate activities. In the morning, we visit Haut Koenigsbourg Castle for a tour with the services of our local guide.

In the afternoon, we change pace with a visit to a local vineyard. Pending availability, we will receive a tour from the winemaker Phillipe Blanck, followed by a tasting.

We return to Turckheim for our final night in Alsace.

Day 8: Turckheim - Nancy - Beaune

Accommodation: La Maison des Courtines or similar

This morning we depart for Beaune via Nancy, formerly the capital of the Duchy of Lorraine. This elegant city will transport you back to the 18th century, and our local guide will lead us through its picturesque streets.

We spend time in the Historic Old City and visit The Dukes Palace, the original residence of the Dukes of Lorraine dating back to the 15th century. We walk UNESCO heritage-listed Stanislav Square, considered Europe’s most beautiful royal square. And we admire the influence of the Art Nouveau movement – a decorative style of architecture and fine art that peaked between 1890 and 1910.

We have scheduled some free time in Nancy so that you may fully immerse yourself in its charms, wandering its streets like a local. You might like to sample the Bergamotes de Nancy, a hard, golden candy flavoured with the delicate essential oil of the bergamot fruit.

Eventually, we board our coach for the drive to Beaune – home for the next four nights. We enjoy dinner in a local restaurant tonight.

Day 9: Beaune

Accommodation: La Maison des Courtines or similar

Beaune (pronounced a bit like ‘bone’) provides a taste of Burgundy at its finest. This popular destination is all about wine, and the city is a labyrinth of hidden cellars, set beneath its cobbled streets. Beaune is surrounded by the vineyards of the Côte d’Or.

Our local guide escorts us to the ramparts. The well-preserved, circular ramparts are the product of three major constructions, beginning in the 12th century and completed in the 17th.

Next, we have entrance to Hospices de Beaune, or Musée de l’Hôtel-Dieu. This is one of France’s finest examples of 15th century gothic architecture and the jewel of Beaune.

We attend a guided tour of the Maison Bouchard Aine & Fils – a beautiful winery that offers a multi-sensory experience of wine.

After this stimulating morning, your afternoon can be spent at your leisure. There are no more activities scheduled today.

Day 10: Beaune - Vezelay - Arcy Sur Cure - Avalon - Beaune

Accommodation: La Maison des Courtines or similar

We explore Burgundy’s countryside today, stopping in at Vezelay first stop. This charming hilltop village has been a centre of Christianity since the Middle Ages. It is a popular starting point for the Camino Santiago de Compostela, or Way of Saint James pilgrimage walk into Spain.

Our local guide shows us the city, including the ramparts and Basilique Saint-Marie-Madeleine, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture said to hold the remains of Mary Magdalene.

We enjoy lunch in a local restaurant in Vezelay before transferring to nearby Arcy sur Cure, site of an impressive paleolithic cave system. We venture into these caves to view their well-preserved paintings.

Next stop is Avallon, located a twenty minute coach ride away. We enjoy a guided walking tour of the old town, taking in its medieval ramparts and towers. We visit the quirky Costume Museum, described by travellers as a hidden historic gem. It displays fashion from the 16th to 20th centuries, modelled by lifelike figures posed in rooms that are styled to perfection.

We board our coach back to Beaune at the end of the day.

Day 11: Beaune - Chateauneuf - Beaune

Accommodation: La Maison des Courtines or similar

This morning is set aside for your leisure. You may like to board a cap canal cruise that takes you through a 3km tunnel. Or perhaps you have a favourite cafe you wish to revisit on our final full day in Beaune.

In the afternoon, our coach will take us to Chateauneuf. Along the way, we will stop to pick up those who took the canal cruise. Chateuaneuf is one of France’s most beautiful villages. Its fairy tale-esque turreted towers date back to the twelfth century. We explore the cobbled streets and historic architecture before returning to our hotel in Beaune.

We have dinner in a local restaurant tonight.

Day 12: Beaune - Dijon - Clairveux Les Lacs (Jura Mountains)

Accommodation: Hotel Les Deux Lacs or similar

We depart Beaune this morning and head for Dijon. We travel past the pretty vineyards of Nuits Saint George. On arrival in Dijon, our local guide shows us its main attractions. This half-timbered city is made for walking with its Medieval and Renaissance architecture and lively fountains. Our tour includes the Court House, Place de la Liberation and the historic Rue des Forges. We visit the Palais Du Ducs, or Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy. The Palace houses the city’s town hall and the musée des Beaux-Arts (art museum).

We depart Dijon for Clairveux Les Lacs, at the edge of the Jura mountains. Dinner will be provided tonight.

Day 13: Clairveux Les Lacs - Menétrux-en-Joux - Les Rousses - Clairveux Les Lacs

Accommodation: Hotel Les Deux Lacs or similar

We transfer to Menétrux-en-Joux this morning, where we visit the Hérisson Falls, a lush oasis in the Jura mountains.

From here, we travel onward to Les Rousses. In winter, this village is home to some impressive ski runs. We will be taking a tour of its fort. Once a vast military complex, it has been re-purposed to house a fromagerie. Our guided tour concludes with a cheese tasting.

After a little more time to explore Les Rousses, we return to our hotel in Clairveux Les Lacs.

Day 14: Clairveux Le Lacs - Arbois - Montigny-les-Arsures - Clairveux Le Lacs

Accommodation: Hotel Les Deux Lacs or similar

This morning we transfer to Arbois via La Reculée des Planches, where we stop in to view the valley and waterfalls.

Picturesque Arbois is set along the Cuisance River. Our local guide shows us around this lovely village. We visit the family home of 19th century French biologist/chemist Louis Pasteur, where his laboratory is still intact.

We enjoy a wine tasting at Domaine André et Mireille Tissot winery in Montigny-les-Arsures, before transferring on to Arc et Senans.

In Arc et Senans, we visit the Saline Royal, or Royal Saltworks. This historic building is an important monument of Enlightenment thinking, and it is designed around the principles of rational geometry and hierarchy.

Afterwards, we return to our hotel in Clairveux Le Lacs.

Day 15: Clairveux Les Lacs - Geneva - Yvoire - Clairveux Les Lacs

Accommodation: Hotel Les Deux Lacs or similar

Today we make an early start for Geneva, Switzerland. We cross into this fascinating city, home to the headquarters of international organisations including the World Health Organisation, and a rich and vibrant counterculture made up of artists and creatives.

Cosmopolitan Geneva is Switzerland’s second largest city. We explore its main sights with our local guide, including the Giant Fountain, Cathedral, Reformers Wall and Place des Nations – a large square at the footsteps of the United Nations Office.

In the afternoon, we take a leisurely cruise to French Yvoire, a medieval city on the banks of Lake Geneva. From key military site to sleepy fishing village, and now regarded one of France’s most beautiful cities, Yvoire should not be missed.

We return to our hotel in Clairveux Les Lacs at the end of the day.

Day 16: Clairveux Les Lacs - Perouges (Ain)

Accommodation: Hotel la Berangere or similar

We depart Claireveux Les Lacs this morning for Perouges in the Ain department of eastern France. This medieval, walled city is among Europe’s finest. Its yellow-stone buildings may be familiar to lovers of cinema, for it has provided a backdrop for period films including The Three Musketeers.

There are no scheduled activities once we arrive in Perouges, so you can spend it at your leisure. Try to scope out the local delicacy of galettes de Perogues – a thin, sugar-crusted galette that looks a little like a pizza.

Day 17: Perouges - Lyon - Avignon

Accommodation: Ibis Style Avignon or similar

We travel to Avignon today, via a stop to explore Lyon.

Lyon is a cosmopolitan, waterfront city that is France’s third largest. It is vibrant and sophisticated, and we visit its Basilica of Notre Dame, Parc de la T’ete D’or and Cathedral.

We then continue south to Avignon, the heart of Provence. Its architecture is sure to surprise and delight: the quirky, ecclesiastical style is the result of this city being home to the Pope in the 14th century. The greatest legacy of this time is the Palais des Papes, which we visit, along with the Pont Saint Bénezet (the postcard perfect Bridge of Avignon) and the Musée du Petit Palais (a gallery and museum that houses an impressive collection of Renaissance art).

Dinner will be provided tonight.

Day 18: Avignon - La Colle-sur-Loup (Alpes-Martimes)

Accommodation: Club Belambra or similar

We travel east today, bound for St Paul De Vence via La Colle-sur-Loup in the Alpes-Maritimes department. St Paul De Vence is one of the oldest medieval towns on the French Riviera, and is home to an impressive array of art galleries and museums. Nestled among nature, it is an art-lovers paradise, not far from the ocean and the mountains. Our local guide leads us through the village’s main sights. A special walking tour takes us by the place that once lured famous artists such as Chagal and Matisse.

Dinner will be provided in La Colle-sur-Loup once we have checked into our hotel.

Day 19: La Colle-sur-Loup - Nice - Eze - La Colle-sur-Loup

Accommodation: Club Belambra or similar.

We explore Nice today, which is located less than an hour’s drive from our base in La Colle-sur-Loup. France’s fifth largest city, Nice straddles the seaside. We explore its main sights, including the Promenade des Anglais, with our local guide.

After a morning in Nice, we reboard our coach for Eze, a jewel of the Mediterranean that provides stunning ocean views. Eze is medieval buildings meets lush vegetation, all perched within the hilltops, perfect for our walking tour.

Next stop on our coastal drive is St Jean Cap Ferat, a comparatively sleepy fishing village. It is home to the Villa Ephrussi De Rothschild, a lavish seaside villa constructed in the early twentieth century by Baroness Beatrice de Rothschild of the famous banking family. The Baroness filled her villa with objets de art, and on her death, she donated the property and its contents to the Académie des Beaux Arts. We visit this fabulous institution, now opened to the public.

Afterwards, we return to our hotel in La Colle-sur-Loup.

Day 20: La Colle-sur-Loup - Grasse - Gourdon - La Colle-sur-Loup

Accommodation: Club Belambra or similar

We visit nearby Grasse this morning, considered the world’s capital of perfume. Our local guide takes us on a walking tour of the old town, and we visit the Cathedral to view three paintings by Rubens. We also explore the history of perfume and soap making at the Fragonard factory, which is located in the heart of the old town.

From Grasse, we travel to Gourdon to visit the Church of Saint-Pierre and the village’s pretty medieval houses. We then return to La Colle-sur-Loup, and have dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 21: La Colle-sur-Loup - Antibes - La Colle-sur-Loup

Accommodation: Club Belambra or similar.

Antibes is just ten minutes drive from La Colle-sur-Loup, and its old town makes a great base for a walking tour. We view the 16th century ramparts and the star-shaped Forte Carre.

There are no further activities scheduled for our afternoon in Antibes, so you may spend it at your leisure exploring this charming village, before we return to our hotel.

Day 22: La Colle-sur-Loup - Nice - Paris

Accommodation: Relais Monceau or similar.

We depart La Colle-sur-Loup and return to Nice this morning, to board a train bound for Paris. France’s high-speed Train à Grande Vitesse, or TGV, is world class, and we can watch the French scenery from our windows as we cross north to the capital.

On arrival, we are transferred to or hotel in Paris. Our farewell dinner will take place tonight.

Day 23: Paris

Our tour concludes after breakfast.

Includes / Excludes

What’s included in our Tour

  • 22 nights accommodation.
  • 22 breakfasts and 10 dinners.
  • Transport and field trips as indicated.
  • Applicable entry fees and services of local guides.
  • Gratuities and necessary tips.
  • Services of an Odyssey group leader.
  • Detailed Tour Information Booklet.

What’s not included in our Tour

  • International airfares.
  • Comprehensive international travel insurance.
  • Meals not included on itinerary.
  • Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls and laundry.
Level 2 - Moderate

Participants must be able to carry their own luggage, climb and descend stairs, be in good health, mobile and able to participate in 3-5 hours of physical activity per day, the equivalent of walking / hiking up to 8 kilometers per day on uneven ground.

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Departure

20 May 2024

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Ends 11 June 2024 • 23 days

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Single Traveller
A$19,415
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A$17,215 pp

By booking two travellers sharing a room you save $2200 per person.

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Prices are per person and valid until 30th December 2024.

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Reading List Download PDF

The History of Modern France: From the Revolution to the War on Terror

Jonathan Fenby

With the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815, the next two centuries for France would be tumultuous. Bestselling historian and political commentator Jonathan Fenby provides an expert and riveting journey through this period as he recounts and analyses the extraordinary sequence of events of this period from the end of the First Revolution through two others, a return of Empire, three catastrophic wars with Germany, periods of stability and hope interspersed with years of uncertainty and high tensions. As her cross-Channel neighbour Great Britain would equally suffer, France was to undergo the wrenching loss of colonies in the post-Second World War as the new modern world we know today took shape. Her attempts to become the leader of the European union is a constant struggle, as was her lack of support for America in the two Gulf Wars of the past twenty years. Alongside this came huge social changes and cultural landmarks but also fundamental questioning of what this nation, which considers itself exceptional, really stood - and stands - for. That saga and those questions permeate the France of today, now with an implacable enemy to face in the form of Islamic extremism which so bloodily announced itself this year in Paris. Fenby will detail every event, every struggle and every outcome across this expanse of 200 years. It will prove to be the definitive guide to understanding France.

How the French Think: An Affectionate Portrait of an Intellectual People

Sudhir Hazareesingh

Sudhir Hazareesingh's How the French Think is a warm yet incisive exploration of the French intellectual tradition, and its exceptional place in a nation's identity and lifestyle

Why are the French an exceptional nation? Why do they think they are so exceptional? An important reason is that in France intellectual activity is regarded not just as the preserve of the thinking elite but for almost everyone. French thought can sometimes be austere and often opaque, yet it is undeniably bold and innovative, and driven by a relentless quest for the regeneration of humanity. Sudhir Hazareesingh traces its tumultuous history in an enormously enjoyable and highly original manner, showing how the French ways of thought and life connect. This will be one of the most revealing books written about them - or any other European country - for years.

Sudhir Hazareesingh was born in Mauritius. He is a Fellow of the British Academy and has been a Fellow and Tutor in Politics at Balliol College, Oxford, since 1990. Among his books are The Legend of Napoleon (Granta, 2004) and Le MytheGaullien (Gallimard, 2010). He won the Prix du Memorial d'Ajaccio and the Prix de la Fondation Napoleon for the first of these, and a Prix d'Histoire du Senat for the second.

The French Revolution

Christopher Hibbert

Concise, convincing and exciting, this is Christopher Hibbert’s brilliant account of the events that shook eighteenth-century Europe to its foundation. With a mixture of lucid storytelling and fascinating detail, he charts the French Revolution from its beginnings at an impromptu meeting on an indoor tennis court at Versailles in 1789, right through to the ‘coup d’etat’ that brought Napoleon to power ten years later. In the process he explains the drama and complexities of this epoch-making era in the compelling and accessible manner he has made his trademark.

Writing in The Times, Richard Holmes described the book as ‘A spectacular replay of epic action …’ while The Good Book Guide called it, ‘Unquestionably the best popular history of the French Revolution’.

France: A History: from Gaul to de Gaulle

John Julius Norwich

I can still feel, as if it were yesterday, the excitement of my first Channel crossing (as a child of nearly 7) in September 1936; the regiment of porters, smelling asphyxiatingly of garlic in their blue-green blousons; the raucous sound all around me of spoken French; the immense fields of Normandy strangely devoid of hedges; then the Gare du Nord at twilight, the policemen with their képis and their little snow-white batons; and my first sight of the Eiffel Tower...This book is written in the belief that the average English-speaking man or woman has remarkably little knowledge of French history. We may know a bit about Napoleon or Joan of Arc or Louis XIV, but for most of us that's about it. In my own three schools we were taught only about the battles we won: Crécy and Poitiers, Agincourt and Waterloo. The rest was silence. So here is my attempt to fill in the blanks...

John Julius Norwich (at 88) has finally written the book he always wanted to write, the extremely colourful story of the country he loves best.

From frowning Roman generals and belligerent Gallic chieftains, to Charlemagne (hated by generations of French children taught that he invented schools) through Marie Antoinette and the storming of the Bastille to Vichy, the Resistance and beyond, FRANCE is packed with heroes and villains, adventures and battles, romance and revolution. Full of memorable stories and racy anecdotes, this is the perfect introduction to the country that has inspired the rest of the world to live, dress, eat -- and love better.

A year in Provence

Peter Mayle

Peter Mayle and his wife did what most of us only imagine doing when they made their long-cherished dream of a life abroad a reality: throwing caution to the wind, they bought a glorious two hundred year-old farmhouse in the Lubéron Valley and began a new life. In a year that begins with a marathon lunch and continues with a host of gastronomic delights, they also survive the unexpected and often hilarious curiosities of rural life. From mastering the local accent and enduring invasion by bumbling builders, to discovering the finer points of boules and goat-racing, all the earthy pleasures of Provençal life are conjured up in this enchanting portrait.

Becoming Bourgeois: Love, Kinship, and Power in Provincial France, 1670–1880

Christopher H Johnson

Becoming Bourgeois traces the fortunes of three French families in the municipality of Vannes, in Brittany—Galles, Jollivet, and Le Ridant—who rose to prominence in publishing, law, the military, public administration, and intellectual pursuits over the course of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Revisiting complex issues of bourgeois class formation from the perspective of the interior lives of families, Christopher H. Johnson argues that the most durable and socially advantageous links forging bourgeois ascent were those of kinship. Economic success, though certainly derived from the virtues of hard work and intelligent management, was always underpinned by marriage strategies and the diligent intervention of influential family members.

Johnson's examination of hundreds of personal letters opens up a whole world: the vicissitudes of courtship; the centrality of marriage; the depths of conjugal love; the routines of pregnancy and the drama of childbirth; the practices of child rearing and education; the powerful place of siblings; the role of kin in advancing the next generation; tragedy and deaths; the enormous contributions of women in all aspects of becoming bourgeois; and the pleasures of gathering together in intimate soirées, grand balls, country houses, and civic and political organizations. Family love bound it all together, and this is ultimately what this book is about, as four generations of rather ordinary provincial people capture our hearts.

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