The most beautiful country towns of Provence

The outstanding beauty and distinction of the small towns of Provence have proved irrestibly attractive to visitors from other parts of Europe and from America for the best part of a century.

From the hills and mountains of the Alps and the Luberon, to the rich vine-growing country of the Var, to the delightful resorts of the coast, these communities are special places.

This illustrated survey opens in the west of the province, marked by the Roman presence and home to the lively regional centres of Arles and Uzes.

In the centre of Provence - the departements of Var and Vaucluse - are such attractions as L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (literally, an island town), famous for its antiques markets, and Saint-Maximin, site of one of the finest Romanesque basilicas in Europe.

The two "Alpes" departements, Haute-Provence and Maritimes, which sweep the north of the province and finally descend to the sea in the east, embrace the varied gems of mountainous Saint-Martin-Vesubie, coastal and Italianate Menton, and Grasse, perfume capital of the world.

The variety of these communities is revealed in this visual and textual portrait.