A History of Provence (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798277934470)

Embark on a vivid journey through the history of one of the world's most celebrated regions. This sweeping narrative peels back the serene veneer of lavender fields and sun-drenched markets to reveal a land forged in conflict and constant transformation. Discover how Provence's destiny as a Mediterranean crossroads was sealed from its earliest days, beginning with prehistoric cave dwellers and the arrival of Greek mariners who founded Massalia (Marseille). Witness the arrival of the legions that gave the region its name, Provincia Romana, and left behind a staggering legacy of arenas, aqueducts, and theatres that still dominate the landscape. This chronicle traces the rise and fall of empires upon this sun-drenched soil, offering a rich and detailed account of a land perpetually coveted and endlessly redefined.

Navigate the turbulent centuries following the collapse of Rome, an age of barbarian invasions, devastating Saracen raids, and the rise of a fierce, independent line of local Counts. The story delves into the most extraordinary period in Provençal history, when the Papacy abandoned Rome for Avignon, transforming the city on the Rhône into the glittering, powerful capital of the Christian world. From the immense fortress of the Palais des Papes to the horrors of the Black Death, this history explores the piety, politics, and pestilence of the Middle Ages. It culminates in the culturally brilliant court of "Good King René," a final, poignant flourishing of chivalry and art before Provence was irrevocably joined to the French crown.

Once a county, now a province, the region's story becomes intertwined with the great dramas of the French kingdom. Plunge into the brutal fanaticism of the Wars of Religion, which turned Provence into a savage battleground, and witness the gradual erosion of its autonomy under the absolute monarchy of Louis XIV. The narrative follows the region through the fire of the French Revolution-an era that abolished the ancient province but gave the world its anthem, "La Marseillaise"-and the subsequent rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, whose legendary career was launched at the Siege of Toulon and whose return from Elba began on the shores of the Côte d'Azur. This section chronicles the journey from a fiercely independent territory to an integral, if often rebellious, part of the French nation.

The modern era brings another kind of conquest, as Provence is discovered by visionaries who would forever associate it with the vanguard of art and culture. Follow the cultural awakening of the Félibrige movement, led by Nobel laureate Frédéric Mistral, which saved the Provençal language from oblivion. Witness the arrival of painters like Van Gogh, Cézanne, Picasso, and Matisse, who, drawn by the unique clarity of the light, revolutionized modern art. From the glamorous birth of the Côte d'Azur in the Belle Époque to the trauma of two World Wars and the dramatic post-war renewal, this history brings the story to the present day. It explores a contemporary Provence grappling with the pressures of mass tourism, environmental challenges, and a complex, multicultural identity, a land whose vibrant history is as unforgettable as the landscape itself.