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"Guidebook of the year. Quality writing and individual voice. You can almost smell and taste the meals." --British Guild of Travel Writers, November 6 2011
"Lazy Laurence on top of the world" --Canada Post, November 2011
"Tales of travels, and stories of places to inspire. Discover a region and its most charming villages." --Midi Libre (France), November 16 2011
"Languedoc put well and truly on the world map. Laid-back life here is mostly about eating and relaxing." --Blablablah Magazine (France) December 2012
Warm and witty. More than a manual for travellers; a gentle launch pad for excursions to the region. --Languedoc & Provence Sun, January/February 2012
"Lazy Laurence on top of the world" --Canada Post, November 2011
"Tales of travels, and stories of places to inspire. Discover a region and its most charming villages." --Midi Libre (France), November 16 2011
"Languedoc put well and truly on the world map. Laid-back life here is mostly about eating and relaxing." --Blablablah Magazine (France) December 2012
Warm and witty. More than a manual for travellers; a gentle launch pad for excursions to the region. --Languedoc & Provence Sun, January/February 2012
Product Description
Vista-hardened travel writers surrender to the charms of Marseillan the minute they hit the port. "The Sunday Times" described it as "like St Tropez before Bardot", "The Guardian" went further, enchanted by "wrought-iron balconies splattered with flowers", and hailing the "undeniable frisson" and "early Riviera vibe". Even France's own Le Figaro simply declared Marseillan as "The new art of living". After centuries selling wine to the world, the principal export of Marseillan is love at first sight. The story of the oldest village in France is one of buccaneers and true independent spirits, of a fisherman risking all to save a damsel in distress, of adventurers and farmers, of men of the soil and revolutionaries, of poets and feminists and the secret of James Bond's favourite tipple. But this book uses Marseillan as the starting point of a personal tour of an enchanting region. In what is part diary, part secret address book, the award-winning author Laurence Phillips shares his favourite places with gossip, witty observations and passion for the Languedoc lifestyle. Memories of local families, first impressions of strangers and plenty of tales learnt of long lingering lunches. Find the restaurant in Montpellier where you cook your own lunch in the kitchen, and meet a market stallholder in Beziers who will take your shopping and make you a meal then and there. Spend a week exploring the Canal du Midi, relive the ages of crusaders and Cathar heretics, discover a hidden Jewish heritage trail and find the seaside inspiration of a generation of impressionists and modern artists. Besides Marseillan's sights, sites and stories, discover over 150 places to eat & drink, 40 pages on the local wines & tipples. This insider's guide for travelling to and around the Languedoc includes 200 pages on other towns and villages across the region, two dozen beaches and has great ideas for City days in Montpellier, Sete, Agde, Beziers and more. Find simple quayside restaurants. Let lunch slip into supper and kiss your bonsoirs after another memorable bottle of wine. Dance with the winemakers or watch the seafarers of Marseillan water-jousting and taking the challenge of the Capelet greasy pole. Whether mooching in markets or mulling in museums, buying cheese from the goatherd in the hills, wine from the vigneron at the corner and oysters and fish from the pecheur who lives along the lane. Here is the lowdown on when to come, where to go, where to wander, when to wallow and where to sit back and do absolutely nothing in Marseillan, where the Canal du Midi meets the Med, and the lagoon belongs to sunset pink flamingos, and time simply stands still. Packed with practical advice, there are plenty of tips for disabled guests, from travel notes to heads up on city restaurants that provide menus in Braille and which beaches have special tricycles so wheelchair users can go out to sea. This is the essential handbook for anyone visiting or staying in the area, and a great holiday read to be enjoyed at a quayside cafe with a glass of Marseillan's Picpoul de Pinet wine close to hand.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having stayed in Marseillan (or surrounds) for several years, I noticed this book whilst buying my newspaper, took it home,made coffee, buttered my baguette and began to read. It was like having a chat with your best friend and discovering all their many secrets about their local area - no dry and dusty guide book this one. Full of helpful information regarding markets/restaurants/sightseeing etc as you would expect, but also amazing anecdotes, some of which made me laugh out loud. A brilliant, relaxed talented writing style and so a joy to read. The most enjoyable travel guide I've ever read (and there have been many). Suffice to say that about 5 hours later when my husband returned from his game of golf, I was still sitting at the breakfast table....dishes unwashed and there I stayed until hunger forced us to go and try one of the recommended restaurants. Having returned to UK, I still read a little every day before going to the office....this puts me in a Languedoc frame of mind and the day seems to pass far more pleasantly than previously. I have now added Laurence Phillips' other books to my shopping list. Long may he continue to weave his magic.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought my copy in France this week when we were looking for a good food and wine guide to the area we have chosen to spend much of our time in. It is this and more because the history and geography and touristy sections are also presented in a really readable style. I found that it makes a great dipping-into book on the beach and city cafe terrace as well, because it is full of gossipy little nibbles and stories and some charming word pictures about the Languedoc. We spend a lot of time in this area and all those many restaurant reviews will be very useful I am sure. I checked out places we know and the writer is spot on and amusing in his sketches. But it also provides interesting and tempting suggestions for days out. Different to other guidebooks and one we will certainly come back to time and time again. To be fair, I have not read all 400 pages, but that means there is more to look up next time we are in the area.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have been visiting Marseillan for a number of years now and thought I had seen all there was to see but no... This guidebook is a gem - a funny and informative look at Marseillan and the surrounding area, I didn't leave our apartment without it in my bag to guide us. Whether to check the market days, find something new and quirky to go and see or just to learn some of the local history, the book is a must-have. A wonderul and funny insight into the area from a resident who truly knows his stuff! I can't wait to return and explore a little more.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A tasty lesson in Languedoc
This is not a conventional guidebook as it is designed to appeal to all the senses for pleasure seekers. Read more
Published 13 days ago by E Chaim
No longer a secret
Probably the best guide to the region of Languedoc Roussillon, discovered from the unique perspective of one of France's most charming villages on the Med. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Sophie Anne
La creme de la creme
This is the finest guidebook available for Languedoc. It is comprehensive and gets under the skin of the region. It also highlights things that are off the beaten track. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Robin P
Entertaining and informative
We used this guidebook during a recent fortnight in the south of France. I especially liked the potted histories that cut out the heavy waffle and gave a clear and lively overview... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Magical Miss M
Enjoyable and entertaining
A very entertaining and enjoyable guidebook that reads like an autobiography in places. Good reviews and great stories. There should be a kindle version for travelling.
Published 8 months ago by Kerry Johns
great reference book on Languedoc
This is a great refernce book on all you need to know about the Languedoc and especially about amazing Marseillan. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Lisak
Good read and good advice
Bought it as a guidebook but kept it as a read. Spend a lot of time in this area and really enjoyed this entertaining book.
Published 8 months ago by Louis the First
A meandering primer to crab town
Strangely for somewhere that is only a large village, Marseillan has had a number of books written about it - including several in English. Read more
Published 9 months ago by r0ng0r0ng0
A guidebook and a read
We spend a lot of time in Marseillan and Agde. This fills the gap between what-to-do guides and foodie books. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Charlie E
Happy Holiday
As I am going to Marseillan in September I bought 'How to be very very lazy in Marseillan and a lot of Languedoc' by Laurence Phillips. I can't wait to go. Read more
Published 10 months ago by ClareBC
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