Download Our Spring Menu Collection

This collection features 19 recipes, with seasonal ingredients such as artichokes, asparagus, lamb, and strawberries. We hope these recipes inspire you to curate menus for dinner parties, luncheons, cocktail parties, and family meals.

The Beginner’s Guide to the French Riviera: Stop Dreaming and Start Packing

Books on Provence · Inspire · Mary Kay Seales

Book Review:

The Beginner’s Guide to the French Riviera from French Press Travel Books 2016

After 17 years of travelling to the French Riviera every summer, and one very interesting winter and spring, and after being the go-to person among my friends and colleagues for advice about travelling to Paris and Nice, I decided to collect my notes and photographs and put together my suggestions for the first time traveller to this lovely and romantic coastline, the ever-intoxicating Côte d’Azur.

The book focuses on two winning locations for the first-time traveller– the bustling and sophisticated city of Nice, and its more laid-back and oh-so incredibly charming neighbour, Villefranche-sur-Mer. Since there is something for everyone’s travelling style in one of these two cities, centrally located along the Côte d’Azur, they are sure winners to bet on for a first-time trip to the French Riviera.

The Beginner’s Guide to the French Riviera also includes practical information – from making sure people notify their banks before leaving home to what to do in case of emergencies (such as heaven-forbid, losing a passport). Of course, there are also suggestions for where to stay and itineraries for a one or two-week vacation.

French Riviera Guide Book by Mary Kay Seales

Here are a few comments from readers:

 If you want to travel to the south of France and have a fabulous experience, then follow the advice in this book. Mary Kay is a seasoned traveler to this beautiful part of the world and can offer you the benefit of her vast experience. Having travelled with her here several times l can attest to the fact she offers a wonderful French experience filled with beautiful locales, wonderful food, scenic walks, and worry-free travel. I highly recommend her book!   Ann Fournier

 The Beginner’s Guide is written in a friendly, open style that makes you feel you are talking with a trusted companion. There are subtly lyrical moments of writing in this practical guide, and a bright sense of humor that makes it a joy to read. Gorgeous photography makes you feel you are already on the French Riviera, and clear information and advice makes you feel ready to pack your bags and go.   Liza Ketchum

 A winning combination of practicality and beauty – the practical side being the numerous, well-researched tips, and the beauty of it the gorgeous photos all throughout. It is well-written and answers every question one could think of as a beginner. If I were to “start packing” (and the author is quite encouraging), I’d throw this little guide in my bag.  Lesley Thomas

This is not a whole kit-and-caboodle kind of travel book, but rather a guide to help a new traveler hone in on sure-fire winners for their first trip. There are so many guide books out there that it’s sometimes nice to have someone just tell you – “Go here!”

This book is also a guide for those who think the French Riviera is out of reach money-wise or just a playground for the rich and famous, both myths I try to dispel.

French Riviera Guide Book by Mary Kay Seales

You can find “The Beginner’s Guide to the French Riviera” on Amazon in paperback or Kindle. While you’re there, visit my author page for my blog posts on traveling in France and other destinations.

Mary Kay Seales in Paris

Mary Kay Seales is a travel writer, copywriter and photographer from Seattle, Washington. She is also the author of “The Beginner’s Guide to the Olympic Peninsula: Exploring the Wild Beauty of the Pacific Northwest.”

Visit her website at www.marykayseales.com.

Please share this with friends and family.
Explore France
, , ,
Legal
All rights reserved. Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission. For usage information, please contact us.
Syndication Information
 
Affiliate Information
As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. Some recipes, posts and pages may have affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, we receive a small commission that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.

Related Provence Articles

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Expat Living and Real Estate · Inspire · What's On Provence & Cote d'Azur

Maison Victoire – Get your Copy of their New Magazine

June 11, 2025
For those who believe print media is a thing of the past, Maison Victoire’s new glossy magazine is a revelation. Launched on June 5, this exclusive offering provides comprehensive real estate data for buyers and sellers in Provence. It’s not just about real estate; it’s a celebration of local vineyards, ...
Continue Reading
Artists Inspired by Provence · Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire

Why Art Lovers Need to Visit Provence: Cézanne 2025 Celebration

June 6, 2025
The following article highlights some Cézanne 2025 celebration events in Aix-en-Provence. Additionally, refer to the “reading list” for books that offer more detailed information on the famous artist and his life in Provence. A native of Aix-en-Provence, Paul Cézanne (1839 – 1906) became one of the most globally recognized post-impressionist ...
Continue Reading
blank

Mary Kay Seales

Mary Kay Seales was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest in Washington State, where she also teaches writing to international students at the University of Washington. As a lifelong traveler, photographer and writing teacher, her recent move into travel writing was a natural progression.

She has lived and worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Costa Rica, India, Azerbaijan and France, and her travels include Bora Bora, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Peru among other destinations.

She is the author of two guide books - The Beginner’s Guide to the French Riviera: Stop Dreaming & Start Packing, and The Beginner’s Guide to the Olympic Peninsula: Exploring the Wild Beauty of the Pacific Northwest - as well as a frequent contributor to other publications in France.

Her most recent blog is The Conscious Traveler.

2 Comments

  1. blank
    Robert Kender
    September 11, 2018 at 12:09 pm — Reply

    Hi Mary Kay

    Had to say hi. I am going to look forward to reading your book. I hope that you and your sister and still having a great time. I was the guy at Les Garcons with my partner that you were talking with.

    Robert Kender

    • blank
      September 13, 2018 at 11:50 am — Reply

      HI Robert: Thanks for sending this message to Mary Kay, we have passed it along to her and she was pleased to get your note. Thank you for reading Perfectly Provence if you are interested in our newsletter, here is the link.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.