Bookshop

This page was updated on 17 March 2003.

You can order the books on this page online from Amazon UK. Simply click on any underlined book title to order it.

Holiday reading

Guidebooks

Most guidebooks to the South of France are aimed at visitors to Provence and the Côte d'Azur, rather than Languedoc. When we first visited the area, we used:

The South of France: Provence, Côte d'Azur, Languedoc-Roussillon by Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls (Cadogan Guides, new edition 1997).
Considering that it covers the whole of the South of France in something under 500 pages (densely printed, no glamorous colour photographs), this book is remarkably comprehensive, and certainly useful if you are planning on touring. It is particularly good on history and culture.

The Road From the Past by Ina Caro
Not exactly a guidebook, but a fascinating historical journey through France, from Provence through the Loire valley to Paris. Ina Caro wonderfully conveys the atmosphere of some of France's most beautiful historical monuments, while giving you a painless history lesson at the same time. Highly recommended as a book to read before you travel, or as bedtime reading during your holiday.

Les Plus Belles Balades dans l'Aude by Patrick Valette and Jacques Drelon (Office National des Forêts, 1994)
A selection of 40 walks (not all in the Corbières) of varying degrees of difficulty, with background information on flora, fauna, and local curiosities (in French). 'Indispensable pour le weekend' say the publishers!

Other guidebooks

Michelin Green Guide: Languedoc -- not much specifically on the Corbières though
Companion Guide to the South of France by Archibald Lyall (Companion Guides, 1996)

Further reading

Simple French Cuisine by Jenny Baker (Faber, 1992)
Authentic country recipes from Provence and Languedoc collected by an English author with a farmhouse in Provence. Generally simple to do, even with the minimal equipment you may find in a gîte (or in a tent!).

Mediterranean Seafood, by Alan Davidson (Penguin, c 1987) is a masterpiece of research which will guide you through the bewildering diversity of fish and crustacea on Mediterranean market stalls. The first section is a catalogue of species with illustrations and names in no fewer than seven languages. Section two contains recipes from all around the Mediterranean. This fascinating book is inexplicably out of print in English -- try secondhand bookshops, although it's hard to find. Anyone who has a copy obviously hangs onto it -- I was reduced to a poorly produced and carelessly translated French edition.

Complete French Cookery Course by Mireille Johnston (BBC Books, 1992)
Perfect your knowledge of traditional French cookery with the inestimable Mireille Johnston. Mouthwatering and foolproof recipes from all over France, with regional introductions. Highly recommended -- it's in constant use in our house!

If you want to learn more about French cuisine in general, read this article with my recommendations for the essential cookbooks you should have on your shelf.

Montaillou by Emmanuel Leroy Ladurie
A classic account of a medieval Cathar village constructed from court papers and other documents by a celebrated French historian.

Corbières au Coeur by Claude Marti (1998)
A book (in French) by a local personality -- large format, with beautiful colour photographs. Irresistible ...

Corbières by Michel Smith (1995)
A comprehensive guide to the wines of the Corbières (in French)

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