Provence is not just a region ; it's a way of life. While its gardens offer visions of paradise

regained, its houses reflect a secret harmony between interior and exterior. A house in

Provence can be a Cardinal's palace, a bastide amidst the vines, the architectural backdrop

for a contemporary art collection, a dramatic presence on the ramparts of an ancient village, or a

hidden cabin screened by trees. Living in Provence takes you on an enchanted walk, rich in

surprises and detours, through sunlight and dappled shadow, with visits to private homes, charming

hotels, and other delightful hideaways. In this glorious region, where history and legend become

one, time flows differently, slowly, with a charm and tranquility found nowhere else.

Lucky are those who live in Provence ! From

the ocher hills to the lavender fields, and from

the olive trees blowing in the mistral wind to the

ancient cliffs sculpted by the elements, the beauty

of Provence is eternal.

The provençal home opens onto nature, the sea,

a forest, a shadowed terrace, or a flowering patio,

and defines itself through an uninterrupted

exchange between interior and exterior. Cabins

and cabanas on the edge of the Mediterranean,

small stone houses clustered together in the heart of

an old village, farmhouses and bastides encircled

by olive groves, fortified châteaux or ancient

abbeys enthroned in the middle of a vineyard, and

contemporary villas : there are as many different

styles as there are homes, all sharing a way of life

dictated by a feeling of well-being.

In the tranquility of their world, homeowners-some

famous, some not-share a common passion

for the natural riches of this region, which they

celebrate in their homes and gardens through

their choice of colors, materials, and forms-all

created with a keen sense of beauty. Whether

generous or modest in size, classic or contemporary

in style, furnished with traditional

works of art or modern sculpture, the element

which unifies all these homes is their spirit,

which reflects, according to traditional or more

minimalist styles, the speciality of the Midi :

its equilibrium and sense of peace.

A comprehensive "Useful Information" section is

included in this book, detailing the region's best

guesthouses, hotels, and restaurants, as well as

international addresses for obtaining authentic

provençal goods and services.