2025 Holiday Gift Guide Books from Provence our Recommendations

Are you shopping for book lovers? Here is our 2025 holiday gift guide for books from Provence for those on your list who love reading, travelling, and dreaming of France. These books are for anyone who wants a literary “dose” of Provence.

2025 Holiday Gift Guide Books

Whether you have visited the region or always dreamed of doing so, this collection includes cookbooks, guidebooks, memoirs, love stories, mysteries and more. However, click here for a more extensive listing of books we have read, reviewed, and recommended. If you are looking for a more in-depth selection by genre, click on the headings below, which direct you to pages with books listed alphabetically by author’s last name.

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Food and Wine Lovers

Fresh + Seasonal = Delicious. These culinary books are a few new additions to our collection. Some are cookbooks, some are culinary guides to the Provençal lifestyle, and others are invaluable resources for navigating the tantalizing markets.

Jeany Cronk has embraced the lifestyle described in her book, At Home in Provence. The title reflects her journey of settling into life in Cotignac, a rural village in the Var, with a young family. Transitioning to this new lifestyle was not without challenges for the Cronks. However, they focused on their vision of producing quality rosé in the South of France. At Home in Provence: Recipes and Stories from Life in the South of France is a charming collection that weaves together personal anecdotes, serendipitous encounters, and a variety of Provençal-themed recipes that you will want to try.

Introducing French Classics: Chef Matthew Ryle, a renowned culinary expert, is the author of French Classics: Easy and Elevated Dishes to Cook at Home. Born in France, Chef Matthew was influenced by his grandfather, also a chef, who taught him about ingredients and the art of simple cooking. Although Chef Matthew realized early on that he wanted to pursue a career in cooking, it wasn’t until he attended culinary school, specializing in French recipes and techniques, that everything fell into place for him as an aspiring chef.

When someone suggests pizza for dinner, do you think of your favourite toppings? Are you a purist who prefers classic flavours, or do you enjoy trying exotic options? Ézéchiel Zérah explores these questions in his book Pizza: Histoires – Reportages – Recettes. Accompanied by striking photographs from Jean-François Mallet and a talented team of artists, it delves into the origins and popularity of this beloved dish. Equal parts culinary culture, gastronomic travel, and recipes, Pizza: Histoires – Reportages – Recettes bridges the gap between a cookbook and a gourmet handbook. Here’s our review of this essential book for pizza enthusiasts.

©Éditions Flammarion

In the past few years, we have been fortunate to collaborate with our contributors and culinary friends, who have created seasonal menus inspired by spring in the South of France. This year, we combined some of their delicious menus into unique collections now available for download. These booklets make lovely gifts for anyone who loves to cook and entertain.

Buy: The Spring Recipe and Menu Collection

Buy: The Summer Recipe and Menu Collection

Buy: The Fall Recipe Collection

Buy: The Winter Recipe Collection

Michelin-star Chef, Gérald Passedat’s cookbook, Flavors From The French Mediterranean, is a must-have. This master chef turns Provençal seafood dishes—some of which were originally meals for fishing families made with unsold fish parts—into beautiful gourmet variations.

Provence’s Famous Rosé

The Book of Rosé: The Provençal Vineyard That Revolutionized Rosé. Wrapped in dusty pink, the book promised a visual feast almost as appealing as a chilled glass of Whispering Angel from the wine estate. The Book of Rosé, a stunning coffee-table book, is a treasure trove for wine enthusiasts. Martin Bruno’s photography showcases Sacha Lichine’s vision and the vineyard at the heart of the popular light pink rosé. This is not just a book, it’s a journey into the creation of a brand and the transformation of consumer tastes. Please read our review of The Book of Rosé.

Stunning Cookbook

Stunning is the only way to describe Rosa Jackson’s cookbook Niçoise: Market-Inspired Cooking from France’s Sunniest City. Featuring over 100 recipes, this beautiful book celebrates the simplicity of Nice’s traditional cuisine. Niçoise is more than a cookbook; it opens a window into life in Nice through the seasons. The reader understands how regional ingredients influence the city’s culinary heritage. After finishing the book, you might buy a ticket and visit Nissa la Bella and experience the city’s gastronomic delights.

Niçoise: Market-Inspired Cooking from France’s Sunniest City is Jackson’s heartfelt, in-depth exploration of life in Nice, France, and the typical ingredients used in recipes throughout the year. Far from simply a collection of recipes, the book is a culinary memoir with dishes linked to Jackson’s friends, the French Riviera lifestyle, and her appreciation of the regional bounty.

Provence Wine Guide

Göran Boman, the author of The Wines of Provence – Tricolour, is based in Sweden, far from Provence’s vineyards. However, in this book, Göran is a wine lover. He covers 58 wine producers and recommends 338 wines, not just rosé wines. Use the book as a guide to discovering these wines and their producers. His goal is to deepen your knowledge of everything worth knowing about Provence’s wines.

Memoirs from Provence

These memoirs are inspired by those who have chosen to settle in Provence for a period. Each story is unique, even though the authors have all visited a similar geographical area. Some are humour-filled tales of expats trying to fit in, and others reflect the attraction of cultural differences.

Kristin Espinasse has been steadily publishing her “French Word-a-Day” blog for 20+ years. That is certainly an accomplishment, but she proves in her latest memoir that she can share life’s highs, lows, and surprises with candour and insight. A Year in French Life is a short story collection that takes the reader through her family’s challenges, milestone accomplishments (such as graduations and anniversaries), and exciting new beginnings. The memoir not only delves into her personal experiences but also captures the essence of French culture, offering readers a unique perspective that intertwines language and life. The book resonates with authenticity and warmth, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the intricacies of daily life in France. Her vivid and engaging storytelling draws readers into her world with a sense of immediacy and connection.

Please Read our Book Review

Carole Bumpus began exploring Provence in 1997, when she and her husband, Winston, visited the region for the first time with two other couples. Their stay in a remote village in the Var provides a flavour of Provençal life away from the crowds, offering just enough of the glitz and glamour of the French Riviera. That trip was enough inspiration for two more trips to the region. The first was a culinary adventure with her sister Melody, and the final trip, in 2006, was a maritime voyage with “Captain” Winston and some friends. ADVENTURES ON LAND AND SEA: Searching for Culinary Pleasures in Provence and the Côte d’Azur is a delightful memoir that anyone who has visited or hopes to see the region will enjoy. For those who enjoy cooking, the book contains a few Provençal recipes.

Romance in Provence

A budding romance, a Provençal setting and voila – a love story. The following list of books only scratches the surface of the women’s fiction genre. However, we recommend these authors as they write beautifully, inviting you into the lifestyle in the South of France with their prose. These books may be fiction, but these authors have “done their homework” regarding historical facts, understanding local traditions and immersing themselves in the culture.

A Northern Light in Provence is a captivating tale that follows Ilse Erlund, a multilingual translator living in Greenland. Despite never setting foot in France, she embarks on a journey to Provence to translate the poems of Geoffrey Labaye, the ‘last living troubadour.’ This book by Elizabeth Birkelund is a page-turner that balances wanderlust, romance, and the quest to determine what matters most.

Patricia Sands recently published her 13th novel, “The French Effect.” It is an engaging literary pleasure, filled with pain aux raisins, a road trip through France, and dancing. A must-read story of leaving a ski town in Canada for the French Riviera, with a stop in Paris en route. If you are ready for an adventure, perhaps a dream vacation or as a means to break free from a slightly too comfortable routine. Then this book is for you, just like the delightful surprise of receiving an extra treat in a baker’s dozen. You can check it out here.

The Paris Muse, by Louis Treger, was inspired by the tumultuous relationship between Dora Maar and Pablo Picasso; I read the gripping tale into the wee hours of the night. Impossible to put down, The Paris Muse draws the reader into this impulsive, nine-year journey that started in 1934. The novel explores the question: Would Picasso have achieved the same level of artistic recognition without Dora Maar? While we will never know, The Paris Muse offers a unique perspective on their intertwined, agitated creative journey from Dora Maar’s point of view.

Family Life

You are hooked in the first chapter of Neroli Lacey’s The Perfumer’s Secret when the protagonist, Alexandra ‘Zandy’ Watson, is in her boss’s office in New York City. The reader quickly sketches a mental image of her character. Zandy is a hard-edged aspiring documentary filmmaker who dreams of making a film entitled ‘Your Climate, Your Change.’ She has three minutes to pitch the storyline about how we all can save the planet. Stewart, Zandy’s boss, is not interested in her project but rather in explaining an opportunity for her to direct and produce a 90-minute profile on a French perfume house in the South of France. Zandy is stunned, and not in the way you might imagine. The Perfumer’s Secret is an incredibly engaging novel about cultural clashes, preconceived notions, brilliant marketing ideas, and telling the whole truth.

Who Doesn’t Love a Mystery?

Provence may not be the first setting that comes to mind for a mystery, but these authors think it is. This collection of murders, thefts, drug busts, and generally bad actors is for anyone who loves solving puzzles. Settings include Provençal vineyards, art galleries, and the chic French Riviera. So enjoy diving into the pages of these novels and attempting to solve the mysteries.

In the opening paragraph of That Dark Spring, Susannah Stapleton captivates readers with the mysterious death of Olive Branson. This eccentric British artist lived in Les Baux-de-Provence during the 1920s. Although the book is nonfiction, the truth remains elusive nearly a century later. Was Olive Branson murdered, or did she take her own life on the evening of Saturday, April 27, 1929? Stapleton delves into historical archives in her pursuit of uncovering the truth behind this intriguing case.

For History Buffs

Discover the biographies of people who lived in Provence, including the artists inspired by the region. These authors have done extensive research on their subjects. If you enjoy reading biographies or historical fiction, these titles are sure to interest you. Each book provides insight into life in the South of France. Understand the fascinating characters who chose to live in Provence and their impact on the region.

The authors of Cezanne à Château Noir are passionate admirers of Paul Cezanne’s art. The book centers around Château Noir, a private estate located on the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence, near Le Tholonet. This stunning location offers views of Mont Saint-Victoire and continues to inspire artists to this day. After visiting Château Noir three years ago, William Drea Adams and Thierry Maugenest embarked on this book project. Cezanne à Château Noir explores the secluded and almost mystical property where Paul Cezanne created over 100 works of art. Additionally, the book highlights other artists who have been drawn to Château Noir since Cezanne’s time.

Shopping for Travel and Photography Fans

Provence – Alpes – Côte d’Azur (PACA) is not only a mouthful but also has immense geography, making it challenging to tackle in a short vacation or extended stay. What better way to discover local knowledge than a book written by one? Therefore, the following books are not traditional guidebooks, but rather a way to discover the best of the region based on these personal experiences.

An Insider’s Guide to Provence is a must-have for every visitor looking for local advice. It’s like Keith Van Sickle’s Rolodex for the region. We love this regional pocket guide, which offers local tips and amusing anecdotes. This book includes favourites – restaurants, picnic spots, vineyards, and walks. It lists what the Van Sickles do every time they visit Provence. Intended as supplemental reference material, the book features hundreds of links to detailed articles, websites, and maps, and is available in both handy e-book and paperback versions. 

How do you get a table at a romantic restaurant? Where is the best place to walk on a hot day? With so many market vendors, where do you start? Keith Van Sickle has the answers to some of those questions and many more in his latest publication, An Insider’s Guide to St-Rémy-de-Provence. So, if you’re planning to be in the Alpilles, consider buying a copy of this handy reference guide, filled with numerous tips.

Full day Wine Tasting Tour from Marseille: Châteauneuf du Pape, Gigondas & Séguret

Experience a full day of wine tasting and cultural exploration on this enchanting wine tour. Discover the rich history, stunning landscapes, and world-class wines of the Southern Rhone Valley as you visit the picturesque towns of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Séguret.

Book this Experience

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).