The Magic of Provence: Pleasures of Southern France

When Californians Yvone Lenard and her husband began to fantasise wistfully about owning a home in Provence, they made a hasty gamble. Purchasing a sixteenth-century wreck, they dubiously listened to the agent’s promise to completely renovate the house within a year. When they returned to the picturesque hilltop village twelve months later, their rubble had been transformed into a dream house - fully furnished and beautifully renovated. To top it off, Lenard was immediately greeted by a prince who stopped in to welcome his new neighbours. After this enchanting beginning, Lenard draws on her unique insight into the subtleties of her native culture to tell the story of her joyous reunion with France, capturing the sights, flavours and faces of Provence in a way no outsider could. With verve and wit, she relates tales of the close-knit community in which she soon becomes a fixture, of her travels in the region, and of visits from American friends who find unexpected romance and magic in Provence. Incorporating succulent recipes, along with tips for entertaining in the Provencal style, and infused with the imagined scents of lavender and fresh herbs, The Magic of Provence is a delight for all the senses - and a journey to bliss.