After trying to live away from France, a British expatriate packs his bags to trace the black markets, odd village scandals, and backroad bistros of the rural south.
Following his international bestsellers A Year in Provence and Toujours Provence, Peter Mayle returns to his stone farmhouse after a four-year absence to rediscover why he fell in love with French country life. He leaves behind city stressors to profile the daily habits and peculiar local figures that make the region unique. Mayle gives readers a close look at the secretive mechanics of the regional truffle trade, a hands-on lesson at a traditional perfume school, and the local rumors surrounding the suspicious death of a handsome village butcher. From tracing black tomatoes grown by an eccentric neighbor to hunting for the perfect corkscrew, his search for artisanal honey and quiet country inns highlights the unhurried joys of rural living. Written with his characteristic dry British humor and sharp observation, these personal essays document a homecoming filled with leisure, intense weather, and exceptional local meals.
Why You’ll Love This Book
Peter Mayle skips romanticized travel clichés to share the practical, funny realities of settling into a foreign village. His dry wit and crisp descriptions bring local markets, olive oil pressings, and village scandals to life with remarkable clarity. It offers a light, deeply comforting escape that makes you feel like an insider sharing an exceptionally long afternoon lunch.
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