Now considered a cult classic, this dreamy portrait of Provence before World War II brings the storied region in vivid color. From one of the great British authors of the twentieth century, this whimsical, personal, and sensual overview of Provençal life, culture, architecture, and history will transport you straight to the south of France.

Pre-World War II Provence, “not a country nor the home of a race, but a frame of mind,” is the subject of Ford Madox Ford’s whimsically comprehensive exploration of the history, personal experience, and miscellaneous sensations that enrich his vision of the region.

With a new introduction by Nicholas Delbanco, and illustrations by Ford’s companion, Janice Biala, Provence is not so much a travel narrative as an invocation, recalling to mind the fascination this quiet, fertile place held for artists and writers during a period of imminent cultural and political upheaval.