What do you think?
Rate this book
Rick Steves' Provence & the French Riviera
Steves, Rick, Smith, Steve
- GenresTravelNonfictionFrance
608 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
37 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Rick Steves
572 books696 followersRick Steves is an American travel writer, television personality, and activist known for encouraging meaningful travel that emphasizes cultural immersion and thoughtful global citizenship. Born in California and raised in Edmonds, Washington, he began traveling in his teens, inspired by a family trip to Europe. After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in European history and business, Steves started teaching travel classes, which led to his first guidebook, Europe Through the Back Door, self-published in 1980.
Steves built his Edmonds-based travel company on the idea that travelers should explore less-touristy areas and engage with local cultures. He gained national prominence as host and producer of Rick Steves' Europe, which has aired on public television since 2000. He also hosts a weekly public radio show, Travel with Rick Steves, and has authored dozens of popular guidebooks, including bestselling titles on Italy and Europe at large.
Beyond travel, Steves is an outspoken advocate for drug policy reform, environmental sustainability, and social justice. He supports marijuana legalization and chairs the board of NORML. He has funded housing for homeless families and donates to anti-hunger and arts organizations. In 2019, he pledged $1 million annually to offset the carbon emissions of his tour groups.
Steves is a practicing Lutheran with Norwegian ancestry and continues to live in Edmonds. He has two adult children and is in a relationship with Reverend Shelley Bryan Wee. Despite health challenges, including a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024, Steves remains committed to his mission of helping Americans travel with greater purpose, empathy, and understanding of the world. His work reflects a belief that travel, done right, can be both transformative and a force for peace.
Steves built his Edmonds-based travel company on the idea that travelers should explore less-touristy areas and engage with local cultures. He gained national prominence as host and producer of Rick Steves' Europe, which has aired on public television since 2000. He also hosts a weekly public radio show, Travel with Rick Steves, and has authored dozens of popular guidebooks, including bestselling titles on Italy and Europe at large.
Beyond travel, Steves is an outspoken advocate for drug policy reform, environmental sustainability, and social justice. He supports marijuana legalization and chairs the board of NORML. He has funded housing for homeless families and donates to anti-hunger and arts organizations. In 2019, he pledged $1 million annually to offset the carbon emissions of his tour groups.
Steves is a practicing Lutheran with Norwegian ancestry and continues to live in Edmonds. He has two adult children and is in a relationship with Reverend Shelley Bryan Wee. Despite health challenges, including a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024, Steves remains committed to his mission of helping Americans travel with greater purpose, empathy, and understanding of the world. His work reflects a belief that travel, done right, can be both transformative and a force for peace.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 11, 2017
I have taken a preliminary cut at what a four-day stop in Avignon, on our way to Istanbul next year, would look like.
We will "enjoy tasty-yet-affordable wines while feasting on a healthy cuisine that's heavy on olives, tomatoes, and spices" (p. 2). We are going to be way-off-season: I am not sure what that will do to the tomatoes. "Eating in Avignon" (p. 119).
Re: off-season; "The Hauetes-Alpes and the Rhone-Alpes shield the region from severe weather . . . . highest average temperatures in France . . . . around 43F in winter)" (p. 4). It should be great for your Mother getting around. ". . . any month can be windy . . . . Provence is famous for its bone-chilling temperatures when the wind blows (see page 171) . . . . Winter travel is OK in . . . . Avignon . . . . " (p. 16).
"The biggest mistake most Americans make when traveling in France is trying to do too much with limited time" (p. 8). We will make our "time a mix of intense and relaxed stretches" (p. 8).
"Avignon . . . . Climb to the Garden du Rochers des Coms for the town's best view, tour the pope's immense palace, lose yourself in Avignon's back streets (following my "discovering Avignon's Back Streets" self-guided war), and find a shady square to call home" (p. 97).
Daily - I have included a bit of walking. Obviously we are counting on the weather not being too terrible.
Day 1
"Welcome to Avignon Walk" (p. 105).
-- "Petit Palis Museum . . . medieval Italian painting and sculpture" (p. 104).
"For great views of Avignon and river, . . . . Daladier Bridge, . . . . 45-minute walk)" (p. 102).
-- "Jardin du Rochers des Noms . . . . Park and ramparts . . . . great views . . . ." (p. 104).
-- "Palace of the Popes" (p. 104). "You can enjoy other impressive vistas from . . . . tower in the Palace of the Popes" (p. 103),
Day 2
"Discovering Avignon's Back Streets Use the map in this chapter or the TI map to navigate this essay, level 30-minute walk" (p. 110).
"Foundation Angladon-Dubrujeaud Museum . . . . small but enjoyable Post-Impressionist Collection . . . ." (p. 104). See also p. 113.
"The Avignon Gourmet Walking Tour is a wonderful experience if you like to eat" (p. 103).
Day 3
"Chateauneuf-du-Pape . . . . this welcoming, wine-drenched town makes an easy day trip from Avignon and works well with a visit to nearby Orange.
Day 4
"The Pont du Gard aqueduct is a magnificent structure to experience, as is the city it served 2,000 years ago, Nikes, which a handful of intriguing Roman monuments together in a mellow, bigger-city package. The pedestrian-friendly town of Uses, between Names and Font du Gard, offers a refreshing break from power monuments and busy cities. Combining this three signees makes a memorable (if busy) day trip into the Languedoc-Rossillon region. Traveling by car, you'll drive scenic roads between Uzes and Nikes that show off the rugged garrigue landscape that this area is famous for" (p. 124).
Left out for now
Misc. notes
"With limited time, make Arles or Avignon your sightseeing base" (p. 22).
Smaller budget airlines may provide bargain service from Paris . . . . Avignon . . . . (see "Flights" on page 529 for details)" (p. 10 - 11).
Car rentals (if four days or longer) and leases are cheapest if arranged from the US" (p. 11). "The region is made to order for a car . . . . Be wary of thieves . . . ." (p. 25). Avignon (pop. 110,000) is a headache for drivers . . . . Les Baux and St-Remy work well from . . . Avignon. . . . Nimes and Pont du Gard are a short hop west of Avignon." (p. 26).
"All high-speed trains (TGVs) in France require a seat reservation; book as early as possible . . . . consider booking in advance through a US agent (such as www.raileurope.com) even though it may cost more" (p. 18).
"Arrival in Avignon By Train . . . . The TGV Station . . . . Car rentals . . . are outside the north exit (sortie Nord). "The TGV Station has counters for all the big companies" (p. 102).
Car rentals (if four days or longer) and leases are cheapest if arranged from the US" (p. 11). "The region is made to order for a car . . . . Be wary of thieves . . . ." (p. 25). Avignon (pop. 110,000) is a headache for drivers . . . . Les Baux and St-Remy work well from . . . Avignon. . . . Nimes and Pont du Gard are a short hop west of Avignon." (p. 26).
"If you're bring a mobile device, consider signing up for an international plan for cheaper calls, texts, and data (see page 503)" (p. 18).
"Provence's Cuisine Scene" (p. 31). ". . . . inviting for nibblers. . . East seafood on the Riviera and meat in Provence" (p. 32). "By American standards, the French undercook meats" (p. 33).
"The Cotes du Rhone is ideal for wine connoisseurs . . . ." (p. 24). "Tours with a Wine Focus" (p. 26). "Look for wines Gigondas, Rasteau, Cairanne, Beaumes-de-Venise, Vacqueyras, and Chateauneuf-du Pape (p. 33 - 34). "French Wine-Tasting 101" (p. 36). "Chateauneuf-fu-Pape" (p. 38).
"Provence is littered with Roman ruins. Many scholars claim the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings are not in Italy, but in France" (p. 29). "Top 10 Roman Sights in Provence 1. Post du Gard aqueduct and its museum" (p. 30).
"Imagine Tours (near Avignon) offers free assistance to travelers. . . . . (for contact information, see page 28)" (p. 24 - 25). See also p. 99.
"Laundry" (p. 99).
We will "enjoy tasty-yet-affordable wines while feasting on a healthy cuisine that's heavy on olives, tomatoes, and spices" (p. 2). We are going to be way-off-season: I am not sure what that will do to the tomatoes. "Eating in Avignon" (p. 119).
Re: off-season; "The Hauetes-Alpes and the Rhone-Alpes shield the region from severe weather . . . . highest average temperatures in France . . . . around 43F in winter)" (p. 4). It should be great for your Mother getting around. ". . . any month can be windy . . . . Provence is famous for its bone-chilling temperatures when the wind blows (see page 171) . . . . Winter travel is OK in . . . . Avignon . . . . " (p. 16).
"The biggest mistake most Americans make when traveling in France is trying to do too much with limited time" (p. 8). We will make our "time a mix of intense and relaxed stretches" (p. 8).
"Avignon . . . . Climb to the Garden du Rochers des Coms for the town's best view, tour the pope's immense palace, lose yourself in Avignon's back streets (following my "discovering Avignon's Back Streets" self-guided war), and find a shady square to call home" (p. 97).
Daily - I have included a bit of walking. Obviously we are counting on the weather not being too terrible.
Day 1
"Welcome to Avignon Walk" (p. 105).
-- "Petit Palis Museum . . . medieval Italian painting and sculpture" (p. 104).
"For great views of Avignon and river, . . . . Daladier Bridge, . . . . 45-minute walk)" (p. 102).
-- "Jardin du Rochers des Noms . . . . Park and ramparts . . . . great views . . . ." (p. 104).
-- "Palace of the Popes" (p. 104). "You can enjoy other impressive vistas from . . . . tower in the Palace of the Popes" (p. 103),
Day 2
"Discovering Avignon's Back Streets Use the map in this chapter or the TI map to navigate this essay, level 30-minute walk" (p. 110).
"Foundation Angladon-Dubrujeaud Museum . . . . small but enjoyable Post-Impressionist Collection . . . ." (p. 104). See also p. 113.
"The Avignon Gourmet Walking Tour is a wonderful experience if you like to eat" (p. 103).
Day 3
"Chateauneuf-du-Pape . . . . this welcoming, wine-drenched town makes an easy day trip from Avignon and works well with a visit to nearby Orange.
Day 4
"The Pont du Gard aqueduct is a magnificent structure to experience, as is the city it served 2,000 years ago, Nikes, which a handful of intriguing Roman monuments together in a mellow, bigger-city package. The pedestrian-friendly town of Uses, between Names and Font du Gard, offers a refreshing break from power monuments and busy cities. Combining this three signees makes a memorable (if busy) day trip into the Languedoc-Rossillon region. Traveling by car, you'll drive scenic roads between Uzes and Nikes that show off the rugged garrigue landscape that this area is famous for" (p. 124).
Left out for now
Misc. notes
"With limited time, make Arles or Avignon your sightseeing base" (p. 22).
Smaller budget airlines may provide bargain service from Paris . . . . Avignon . . . . (see "Flights" on page 529 for details)" (p. 10 - 11).
Car rentals (if four days or longer) and leases are cheapest if arranged from the US" (p. 11). "The region is made to order for a car . . . . Be wary of thieves . . . ." (p. 25). Avignon (pop. 110,000) is a headache for drivers . . . . Les Baux and St-Remy work well from . . . Avignon. . . . Nimes and Pont du Gard are a short hop west of Avignon." (p. 26).
"All high-speed trains (TGVs) in France require a seat reservation; book as early as possible . . . . consider booking in advance through a US agent (such as www.raileurope.com) even though it may cost more" (p. 18).
"Arrival in Avignon By Train . . . . The TGV Station . . . . Car rentals . . . are outside the north exit (sortie Nord). "The TGV Station has counters for all the big companies" (p. 102).
Car rentals (if four days or longer) and leases are cheapest if arranged from the US" (p. 11). "The region is made to order for a car . . . . Be wary of thieves . . . ." (p. 25). Avignon (pop. 110,000) is a headache for drivers . . . . Les Baux and St-Remy work well from . . . Avignon. . . . Nimes and Pont du Gard are a short hop west of Avignon." (p. 26).
"If you're bring a mobile device, consider signing up for an international plan for cheaper calls, texts, and data (see page 503)" (p. 18).
"Provence's Cuisine Scene" (p. 31). ". . . . inviting for nibblers. . . East seafood on the Riviera and meat in Provence" (p. 32). "By American standards, the French undercook meats" (p. 33).
"The Cotes du Rhone is ideal for wine connoisseurs . . . ." (p. 24). "Tours with a Wine Focus" (p. 26). "Look for wines Gigondas, Rasteau, Cairanne, Beaumes-de-Venise, Vacqueyras, and Chateauneuf-du Pape (p. 33 - 34). "French Wine-Tasting 101" (p. 36). "Chateauneuf-fu-Pape" (p. 38).
"Provence is littered with Roman ruins. Many scholars claim the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings are not in Italy, but in France" (p. 29). "Top 10 Roman Sights in Provence 1. Post du Gard aqueduct and its museum" (p. 30).
"Imagine Tours (near Avignon) offers free assistance to travelers. . . . . (for contact information, see page 28)" (p. 24 - 25). See also p. 99.
"Laundry" (p. 99).
August 27, 2015
There is some useful information in here, but it is swamped by many unnecessary details (such as Picasso's biography - if I want to read that I don't need a travel guide to inform me).
Emphasis is on major tourist stops rather than out of the way places.
Was quite disappointed considering the price of the ebook. Maps are largely unusable in Kindle format.
Searching the book is difficult. And did not prove fruitful for any of the things I was interested in.
Not really recommended.
Emphasis is on major tourist stops rather than out of the way places.
Was quite disappointed considering the price of the ebook. Maps are largely unusable in Kindle format.
Searching the book is difficult. And did not prove fruitful for any of the things I was interested in.
Not really recommended.
April 2, 2010
This book is practical and interesting, the author's writing style is off-beat and personal, and I love the cultural tid-bits he throws in there. Even though I would never dream of visiting a foreign land as part of a group tour (ugh!) I love that he's taken his passion for travel and made it marketable.
December 22, 2019
These are the best travel guides around!
April 27, 2009
Of course I couldn't plan a European adventure without a little help from local hero Rick!
Read
September 28, 2012Just seeing if there are any must-sees that I don't know about for our upcoming trip! ;)
April 22, 2013
What an amazing travel book! I will never travel again without his books!
October 10, 2014
A very helpful companion on a recent holiday in the south of France. I can always count on Rick Steve's to be interested in what I am interested in: history, culture and good food.
December 12, 2015
Given to me by Chris, my yoga instructor and personal Rick Steves tour guide, before our trip to France in June 2015.
September 19, 2015
Not feeling the Rick Steeves love as much as I used to.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews