An armful of new guides and books invite you to get out and enjoy the French countryside this summer
“Cycling France” (Lonely Planet)
This guide could be called Tour de France, do it yourself. With its description of France’s best cycling escapades — what to see and where to stay along the way — it has routes for all levels of abilities. Options include a leisurely daytrip near Paris, epic moutain climbs and week-long food and wine tours. For neophytes there’s practical advice on French cyclespeak, on-the-road maintance tips and the lowdown on how to pack and transport your bike. BR
“Guide de la campagne autour de Paris” by Emilie Courtat & Alain Raveneau (Parigramme)
Taste fresh ostrich meat in Montmachoux or rose jam and chocolates in Provins. This “country guide” lists 83 different domaines scattered across the Ile-de-France, including tips on how to get there, who to talk to and what kind of appetite to bring. Charts supplying seasonal information (even animal birth cycles!) reveal the best moment for strawberry and sunflower picking, or for choosing a Brie de Melun and leg of lamb. KH
“The Rough Guide to French Hotels & Restaurants"
This manual is an adaptation of le Guide du routard’s “Hôtels et Restos de France,” the “petit guide” the French take when visiting their own country. It specializes in characterful accommodation throughout France from village inns to city-center hotels. True to France’s gourmet reputation, it excels on the subject of dining. Its restaurant selections, emphasizing quality and value with tips on local specialties, are worth the price of the book alone. BR
“Hip Hotels, France” by Herbert Ypma "(Thames & Hudson)
No, this is not a guide to where jazz musicians stay when they’re on the road. Instead it’s a selection of unique and stylish French hotels. From medieval châteaux to Paris designer haunts, to rural farmhouses. With lots of pictures and lengthy descriptions of each establishment, the focus is on quality traveling experiences. Although some of the places listed such as the Château de Bagnols at 2,200F a night are pricey, this overview also includes exceptional tips such as Marseille’s Hôtel le Corbusier — very affordable at 225F per night... Now, that’s hip! BR
“Walking in France” (Lonely Planet)
Take a walk on France’s wild side with this guide detailing picturesque peregrinations. from the Loire to Brittany, to Corsica. With maps, descriptions of what to see and restaurants along the way, this handy book is a great introduction to anyone wishing to explore “Grande Randonnée” walking paths. Daytime expeditions near Paris including Giverny, the Forêt de Rambouillet and the Val de Marne make for mini weekend get-aways. BR
“The Traveler’s Healthbook” (Wexs)
With the lure of exotic destinations beckoning, one needs more information than is available in most full color travel brochures. This guide is just that, supplying practical advice from experts ranging from tummy troubles to tropical diseases, to snakebites. A handy health “profiler” on each country helps the traveler prepare ,with appropriate precautions and vaccinations. Information on water purification and eating safely make slim volume “required reading” for anyone headed off the beaten track. BR
“The French Country Garden” by Louisa Jones — photos by Joelle Caroline Mayer & Gilles Le Scanff (Thames & Hudson)
Louisa Jones has spent three decades tending her own Provençal garden and has wandered through countless other regions all over France, observing various approaches (such as formal gardening), and studying emerging trends such as biodiversity and “green tourism.” “The French Country Garden” visits greenscapes belonging to anonymous grandmothers, as well as the properties of more renowned characters like Georges Lévêque, a prominent writer and photographer for the magazine Mon jardin et ma maison. KH
Provence dreamin’
“Cooking with Herbs, The Flavors of Provence” by Michel Biehn, trans. by Josephine Bacon, photos by Gilles Martin-Raget (Flammarion)
Put on a pair of “thick gloves” and prepare a nettle omelet with this third cookbook by Michel Biehn. He has collected 80 Provençal recipes classified according to herbs and complemented by very brief outlines of historical and medicinal lore. The “Herbs of the Hills” section showcases some surprising dishes, such as a dandelion salad and sweet poppy shoot tart, as well as the ingredients for the region’s trademark lavender ice cream. Biehn recommends a wine for each dish and closes the book with a list of domaine names and contact information for his favorite cellars. Photocopy the recipes before you begin, as you won’t want to spoil the sublime photographs by Gilles Martin-Raget who illustrates this collection. KH
“The Painters of Provence” by Philipppe Cros (Flamarion)
A journey through the cities and villages of what the author calls the “Modern Art Coast.” Paintings by artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso, Cézanne and Bonnard are supplemented by anecdotes. This location-by-location guide to the museums of Provence will most certainly inspire its readers to visit the region. BR
