
A Tour Through Old Provence
FOREWORD
LIST OF HALF-TONE ILLUSTRATIONS
AVIGNON
I AVIGNON
VILLENEUVE
II VILLENEUVE
TARASCON
III TARASCON
IV LES BAUX
The narrative invites listeners on a leisurely motor journey through the sun‑kissed valleys of ancient Provence, where the Rhone winds past vineyards, farms and scattered stone villages. Along the way the guide weaves together the region’s layered past—Greek traders, Roman legions, medieval lords—while noting how the bright skies and fertile fields have shaped the character of its people. Each stop feels like a living postcard, hinting at centuries of culture without rushing ahead.
A special focus falls on Avignon, the historic seat of the popes, whose towering palace and bustling belfries dominate the river’s view. The author’s vivid descriptions bring the cobbled streets, the chapel of Saint‑Bénézet and the nearby ruins of Les Baux into clear auditory focus, complemented by a rich collection of half‑tone illustrations that enhance the sense of place. The prose captures both the grandeur of the papal legacy and the quiet charm of everyday Provençal life.
Presented in a gentle, descriptive style, the work feels like a guided tour for the imagination, perfect for listeners who enjoy history, architecture and the gentle rhythm of a road trip through a landscape that has inspired poets for generations.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (223K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images available at The Internet Archive)
Release date
Aug 25, 2017
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1869–1963
Best known as A. S. Forrest, he brought places to life with bright travel paintings and lively illustrations for books and magazines. His work moved easily between art and storytelling, making distant scenes feel close and vivid.
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