Aix -- a great city to visit no matter the time of year!

http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/07/12/travel/12hours.html?8td&emc=tda1

Mimi -- It's sad but true. The Provence of today isn't what is used to be. And it's not confined to the Luberon.

When we bought our house in the Vaucluse 14 years ago, not that many people know about the area. NOW - we have to dodge tour buses.

On the (possibly) positive side, many wine growers have been able to sell their homes and vineyards for a bundle....which isn't a curse considering the decreasing market for wine production and sales.

Jean, we stopped there last year to buy some bread and sweets for our picnic overlooking Cavaillon by the chapel. There are a few tables outside if you'd like to sit.

I just finished reading "Confessions of a French Baker: Breadmaking Secrets, Tips, and Recipes"
by Peter Mayle and Gerard Auzet . It's a nice little book with a whole lot of recipes by Auzet, the famous boulangère of Cavaillon.

When I was in Lourmarin last August, the village where Mayle now lives, it seemed that the village had changed dramatically from my previous visit from a quiet village in the mountains to a loud and raucous mecca.

What the locals in the Luberon think (today's IHT)

http://www.iht.com/bin/print_ipub.php?file...ion/luberon.php

I loved a YEAR IN PROVENCE and Mayle probably inspired us (and so many others) to buy homes there. After living there, I found his description of the peasants pejorative. His descriptions of life were unrealistic. Granted, Mayle lives an extremely rarefied existence.


I was also bothered that with the exception of his birthday party, Mayle's wife was not cited. It was as if she were a non-person. Subsequent books (#2 wasn't so bad) were obvious potboilers. Mayle had a good thing and why not make money and merry.

Peter Mayle is a brilliant marketing/ad pro. Not sure about his writing skills. Hope I'm proven wrong.

Wish I had his gimmick and success!

Karen,

Your comments are interesting. Did you enjoy his previous books? I thought they were an amusing and at times thoughtful commentary on life (albeit his life) in Provence. But your response to my posting makes me think you're not a fan?

Ellen: I have ambivalent feelings about that book. Mayle is brilliant at marketing and I am sure his publisher (and banker) have been pressing him to publish or peril.

But, I'm going to let you read the book first! Better yet, I'll try to get a review copy and have you read it!

Peter Mayle has just finished a new book entitled Provence A-Z which can be pre-ordered on amazon.com at the end of October. His book A Good Year is being made into a movie and will be out this fall also.