This guide, half of a two-volume set, is intended for motorists who want to tour eastern Provence and the Cote d'Azur by car and enjoy some superb walks en route. The drives have been described in such detail that there is no need to make constant reference to a map. The walks selected - all set in areas of great natural beauty and historical interest - are those the authors believe offer the greatest sense of satisfaction for the effort involved. These are not tough GR routes, but mostly circular walks suitable for moderately fit people. There are also restaurant recommendations for each tour. Beginning at Nice and the Riviera, you head north and west through the Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes de Haute-Provence (highlights include the Mercantour National Park, Grand Canyon du Verdon and a journey on the Train des Pignes). Beyond Var, with its unspoilt coast, the book takes you round the Montagne Ste-Victoire to Aix-en-Provence. REVIEWS: If you are off to Provence, this should be the first book you buy. (SJD, Amazon) The authors have captured the very essence of the countryside in a manner that is both personal and highly informative.
I was impressed with the itineraries for exploring Provence by car and the fact that the book actually guides and informs, without the usual bland descriptions found in many books. [It] pointed up my ignorance of areas which I thought I had explored properly, and I found myself wanting to return, there and then, with this excellent guide, to put matters right.(Craig Bradshaw, Motoring and Leisure) The best book we have been able to find for walking in Provence. (MLF, Amazon)