Monday, April 4, 2016

Another Fine French Book Giveaway!

Just in time for the 2016 travel season in the South of France comes Markets of Provence: Food, Antiques, Crafts, and More by Marjorie R. Williams. This charming guide is perfect for anyone living in Provence...traveling here...or still dreaming of visiting "some day." 

The book comes out May 3 and the publisher, St. Martin's Press, would like to gift two of my lucky readers with free copies.

Marjorie is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based travel writer who believes that exploring markets is one of the most-rewarding ways to immerse oneself in a foreign culture. It's a passion that goes back to her very first sojurn in France around 1980...and one she has explored extensively through the articles she writes for magazines such as Afar, France Today and House Beautiful.

"My first French market was in Fontainebleau," she tells me. "I bought a sundress and a blue mesh bag which I still use...and they always take me back to memories of that trip."

Marjorie's first book was Markets of Pariswritten with Dixon Long and published (second edition) by Little Bookroom in 2012.

The new book--which I already have and love--is the result of Marjorie's many months criss-crossing Provence, learning about the villages and markets, talking to the vendors, trying their wares, exploring surrounding areas. And while this research trip wasn't exactly a hardship, she says it definitely had its moments. Such as?

"Well, my rental car had GPS so I didn't think I would need a printed map," Marjorie tells me. "I was following the GPS and not paying attention when, to my great surprise, it led me onto a car ferry. I had no idea if that was mistake and, if so, where I'd end up! Everything turned out okay--it was just a 10-minute ferry ride and indeed a good shortcut--but the shock of it taught me to always carry a printed map.''

And then of course there were all the typical tiny misunderstandings, which happen even to those travelers who speak terrific French. "At a fromagerie stand in the Tarascon market," she remembers, "a vendor kept urging me to try his 'cheap cheese.' And I held back until I realized he was saying 'sheep cheese!'"

Popping up over and over again at all the various markets like certain vendors do, Marjorie got her share of curious looks; they couldn't quite figure out why this woman with notepad and camera was everywhere, asking questions and tasting everything. "And then one day in Arles I had the opportunity to shop the market with Michelin-starred chef Jean-Luc Rabanel," she recalls. "He's very recognizable and well known among the vendors. They certainly took notice of me then!"

The charming 300-page soft-cover features 30 of Marjorie's favorite market finds--the very-best ones and the B list as well. She also serves up local specialties, practical tips, interviews with popular chefs and farmers, delicious photos, maps, restaurant recommendations and more. It's organized by the day of the week to make itinerary planning easy...and small so it can popped easily into a handbag, backpack or glove compartment. You can read more about it here.

Peter Mayle, author of A Year in Provence and many other books set in Provence, finds it "thorough, accurate and mouth-watering."

Luke Barr, author of Provence 1970, calls it "an indispensable...authoritative and seductive guide."

So how to win a copy? Simply leave a comment below, where it says "comments," and tell us why you'd love to have it. Please be sure to leave us your email so we can reach you if you win; signing in with your Google account is not enough. If you're not sure which way is best to sign in, choose "Name/URL." Then put your name or any name in the first field...and your website or blog in the second field. If you don't have a website or blog, you can skip that. Then type your message...but be sure to leave us an email somewhere in your message.

If you want to go ahead and buy the book, it's on Amazon here

Marjorie will be doing readings and signings in various US cities in May...see the list here.

And to learn more about her or connect with Marjorie online, check out her website, blog, Facebook and Twitter.

Good luck in the giveaway!

63 comments:

  1. I would love to have it for my next trip to France! I love all the markets. Plus I can use it in my classroom. I am a French teacher.

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  2. Dear Julie

    We are traveling to Sablet in Provence in May. We got the connection to house from your blog and a big reason we are staying for a month is to take advantage of the markets. All of my information is quite old and an updated guide would be a real treat - especially to read beforehand!

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  3. Dear Julie - We are traveling to Sablet in May in order to sample as many markets as possible in 4 weeks! An updated guide would be a real treat and a dreamy way to spend the airplane flight.

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  4. This book would be perfect to help create an itinerary for a Provencal vacation...and for daydreaming in the meantime. Plus, the illustrations are wonderful!

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  5. Visiting markets in Provence is one of my favorite things to do. This book sounds fabulous! I would love to have a copy .

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  6. I love the markets of Provence, and the book sounds amazing!

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  7. Dear Julie,

    walking through un marche provencale is my best experience in the South of France. I can hardly wait for my summer vacation to hit the road:-) I would love to have this beautiful book and plan my next tour.
    Best wishes, Maya

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  8. We've been to Provence many times and have visited the "famous" markets such as Sorgue, Apt, and Arles. But we'd love to learn of those markets frequented more by the locals rather than the tourists. (While typing this, we can almost smell the rotisserie chickens that make up many of our lunches or dinners).

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  9. What a great sounding guide for your stay in Provence. We return once a year but we always see and try something new. Some welcomed advice with be fantastic. Keep up the great blog.
    Rose
    roseblamey@shaw.ca

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  10. Your book reminds me of the little market we stumbled upon in Gordes when we were there to see the lavender in bloom. My mother and I bought a small disk of tender goat cheese, fresh tiny strawberries and a fresh baguette. Our favorite meal that whole trip! I would love to win a copy of your book so we can plan our next visit!

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  11. I think that looks like a charming book. I am in the I'm going to France someday category. Hopefully sooner than later. In the meantime I love to devour books like this, traveling in my dreams and adding more places to visit.

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  12. We are from Australia , spent last autumn in Provence . Now Richard is having chemo for six weeks , but we are booked to return for five weeks at the end of August. Nostalgic for the feel of Provence and the food and wine . Why not enjoy every moment that we can…? The book would be just lovely.

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  13. After reading Peter Mayle's books I have always wanted to visit Provence. This year the dream will become reality. We are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary and our daughter's first year teaching by travelling to France. Marjorie's book would be a very good resource for our two week stay in Provence. Merci. Dave

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  14. Dear Julie,

    This book covers all the things I love about Provence (I was lucky enough to get to visit there once about 10 years ago), and all the things I hope to see when I able to go back in the next year or so. I would love to have a copy of this book to read/pour over/ savor/daydream about/ and plan my next trip.

    Thank you for offering this give away!
    Julia

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  15. I just got back from a month in the South of France and having a book like that would have been wonderful! I did manage to visit all my favorites and added a "new" insider market to my Nice finds.

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  16. Such an exciting process,planning a holiday. This will help build the anticipation and lengthen the trip!!

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  17. Cathleen C.
    I'll be driving around Provence this summer and sure would love to have Marjorie's book by my side.
    Thank you Julie for this - perfect!

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  18. Oui, s'il vous plaît

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  19. I'll be in Provence for an extended stay in September and this would be wonderful! Thank you!

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  20. Hi Julie....where should I put my email? I didn't see any on the other comments and I hate to put it in a public space.
    Thanks,
    Paula

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    1. Hi Paula, send it to me at: provenceblog@aol.com and I'll be sure you're entered. Thanks! :)

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  21. I loved going to isle sur la sorgue and would like to learn of other markets.

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  22. We are regular market visitors every September when we are, "en Provence," and would love to have your book, since it will undoubtedly provide us with information regarding markets that we are not familiar with

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  23. I would love to have a copy of the book as a Francophile, France traveler, and as a French teacher who will be heading to France with students in the fall.

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  24. Hi Julie, I would so love to win this book. I am a junkie on anything France. For my 65th ,I flew to Paris and then did two river cruises...one of which was from Lyon to Marsaille. Oh I would so love to go there again. And if I can't, a lovely book would be heaven to live vicariously through!

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  25. I would so love to win this book. When I reached my 65th, I hoped on a plane to Paris and took two ricer cruises. One was from Lyon to Marseille. Oh how I would love to see Provence again. So, if I can't get there in person it would be a great book to live vicariously through!

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  26. We are Americans who are fortunate enough to own a charming house in the village of Sablet. We love to direct our summer renters and guests to the many delightful Provencal markets and this new title would be a marvelous resource for them.

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  27. Sounds like a charming and useful guide. I did get to see the market in St Remy which I loved. I hope to see more of Provence in the near future

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  28. Would love to win your book. Provence is at the top of my bucket list. I am a retired French teacher who would love to travel to France again. Have traveled to Paris, Versailles,and through the Loire Valley, Normandy and. Brittany. Can't wait to visit Provence and the rest of southern France.

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  29. Ah..Provence and markets. One of my favorite things about travel. I try to hit them all!

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  30. I would SO love to have this book for my next trip to France! I'm sure it would help us find the markets quickly and keep us from driving around endlessly and arriving so late we would only catch vendors as they were leaving! (Happened several times!)

    Amonteflores@yahoo.com

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  31. loved the St Remy market and have convinced our friends we should stay there..would love to have this book...and will be in touch with you about plans

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  32. Julie
    we had so much fun last time visiting St Remy based on your recommendations that we are coming again this Sept..would love this book to explore other markets although the one in St. Remy was amazing and I can't wait to shop there again..you have my email dwestpt

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  33. I am a fan of "vide-greniers" and markets in the South France and would love to hear more of your stories and recommendations! I was on my may to a market in Vauvenargue (from Aix) and got lost in the middle of a forest (chemin sans revetements) and during hunting season! I have so many treasures from the markets and plan on returning in September for more adventures.
    Tasha
    luxemavens2@gmail.com

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  34. My husband and I are planning a trip to Provence in August of this year. This is a bucket list trip, for sure! I just want to go to markets and eat lol. I would love to have this book!

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  35. Please enter cahilldot and you know the rest! :)

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  36. I'm sure I'll learn stuff despite the fact of living in Provence and would love to read those fun story so that I can I share them with my friends visiting Provencce.

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  37. Merci beaucoup!
    J'adore Provence...
    your new book sounds amazing!
    I am reliving my French trip through memories and my pictures and have just purchased Paris In Winter Ny David Coggins...a lovely illustrated journal...want to keep French travel alive forever!
    Leslie

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  38. What a deservedly popular book! You will need to give away more than two! I am not entering the contest since I already have my own copy as well. :-)

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  39. I've often thought I should write my own book of the best goodies at the markets in Provence I have been lucky enough to visit so many times. So I am more than curious to see if Marjorie has chosen some of my favorites and to discover new treasures. amy.keller@apidaecandles.de

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  40. I love all your suggestions about Provence since I have a home 5 minutes from Maussane. We rent it out during the year and our guests love my collection of books about Provence. If I don't win the book, I will buy one.

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  41. What a wonderful book you have as a giveaway.
    Something our guests of our gites would use everyday.
    They come from countries far and wide to experience food, antiques, markets and some wine tasting on the side.
    While we have brochures for this, brochures for that,
    it would be great to have this book to look through while we're having a chit chat.
    Its been fun to enter this competition
    and we hope for the pleasure it will give our guests that we will win

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  42. The local markets are the best part of France! I would love to have an insider's picks!!! marylynnconroy (at) gmail (dot) com

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  43. Julie,

    Please enter me in the drawing. Always look forward to your next post.

    We wholeheartedly agree the markets in the cities and towns of France offer some of the best cultural experiences. From Paris, Amboise, Sarlat, Sorgue, Arles, St Remy we have been to some really fun markets but are always yearning to learn about others.

    Thank you,

    Terry

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  44. Hi Julie - What a great resource for those of us who love to frequent the markets in Provence. No doubt there are many new adventures waiting just around the next corner. Looking forward to my next visit!

    Kathy Wilson
    decorator.kw@gmail.com

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  45. Dear Julie, Thank you so much for sharing Markets of Provence with your readers! Your website was one of my inspirations when I began exploring Provence, and so it's a real honor to receive your enthusiastic support. Hoping to share my love of Provence with many others...!

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  46. That book really sounds like a one I´d love to read :)
    mmyheartishere@gmail.com

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  47. I would love to have it for my return trip to Provonce this year. Last time I went I only got an overview, this time I need to dig in deep!

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  48. Going to market is the best way to learn about the community -- watching what people buy, how they choose, bargaining with vendors. The market is the heart of the community. Everyone comes together on Market Day: vendors and buyers have mutual interests -- closing the deal!

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  49. We visit Provence every year and hope to move there in the next few years. I run my own business making unique fabric creations, and I also want to do this round the markets of Provence when we move there, so this book would be most useful xx
    vintage.rose@btinternet.com

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  50. Hello!
    I would so love a copy of this book as I have a girlfriend with a second home in La Penne, France that we hope to visit soon. Several years ago as a birthday treat we traveled to the south of France (an area that I wasn't very familiar with) and I fell in love with it! My husband and I grew up in S. Louisiana and our community was actually a sister city of Aix-en-provence and it was so very special to see the city in person:)

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  51. I'm proud to initiate visitors from around the world to our incredibly diverse and utmost high quality products in Provence. Plus, the local artisans are so fascinating and (mostly) kind! Help me bring more new tourists to some of the best markets in Provence! I need this book! :). Thx Julie!

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  52. One of my big dreams..to travel to France to shop the markets, taste the food, meet the people, taste the wines, tour the land, learn the language, see the architecture and soak in all of the history. Our daughter was blessed to have spent 3 months in Provence and I really wanted to be there with her! The book looks promising!

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  53. Last summer in the Luberon, while sharing a house with 5 other couples, we planned our daily excursions around market days in the area and had many treasured experiences with market vendors who were also great resources for local tours and sights. Plus, such lovely people. We felt we touched the soul of Provence in these unique places. Can't wait to have a copy of this book to keep expanding our knowledge and appreciation of what makes Provence so special.

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  54. Sister's week in Arles this October- book would be fabulous- have a sister who loves to shop
    Chrisb2540@yahoo.com

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  55. Love this...food is such an easy way to engage kids (and adults) in a new culture. I think I need to put Provence on my short list...Thanks, kristi@ciaobambino.com

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  56. We'll be in Provence for 4 weeks this Fall. Our favorite way to explore is to begin with the markets. Thank you.

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  57. Oh great ! Thanks for this contest !
    I'd love to win this book because I grew up in Provence, and I always love to be surrounded by foreigners, because they give you another vision of what you take for granted (or who you are and what makes you what and who you are).

    You constantly learn when being with foreigners, and I believe this book will show me things through another angle :)

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  58. I have her first book on Markets of Provence and never, ever go to Provence without it. I can't wait to get my hands on her new book. If it's anything like the first one, it is a MUST have for shopping in the markets of Provence. And she is so right about the French being attuned to courtisies shown to them my foreigners.
    Sam

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  59. It would be a privilege to have her book. I would love to compare her recommendations to those of Jill Mitchell from Le Trip (my trusted go-to for information of this sort). Mignon.mozley@att.net

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  60. I would love to have this book because I love Provence, visited many years with my late husband and because I live in Cambridge, Ma. and would like to meet the author. cigalechanta@hotmail.com

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