A Year in Provence

The bestselling, much-loved classic account of an English couple escaping to enjoy the fruits of French rural summer living - an irresistible feast of humour and heart. 'One of the most successful travel books of all time... Mayle created a new travel genre' Guardian 'Engaging, funny and richly appreciative' New York Times Book Review 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, Peter and his wife also survive the unexpected and often hilarious curiosities of rural life. From mastering the local accent and enduring invasion by characterful and noisy 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.

Peter Mayle contributed to a wide range of publications in England, France and America, and his work has been translated into twenty-eight languages. His books include A Year in Provence, Toujours Provence, and Encore Provence. He was awarded a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur for his contributions to French culture in 2002, and also a Golden Pan for one million copies sold of A Year in Provence. Peter Mayle died in 2018.