The bestselling novel ‘A Year in Provence‘, made famous a few years later in the BBC drama, celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year. Many remember the late John Thaw as author Peter Mayle, documenting his memories and experiences of moving to south east France. However John Thaw was not to the only one to captivate British audiences; the sunny, beautiful and appealing lifestyle which inspired the novel caused many to fall in love with the region of Provence itself turning it into one of the most sought after second home destinations in the world.

One of the most powerful draws for outsiders is the region’s scenery, which comprises sandy beaches on the coast, large picturesque valleys and fields carpeted with flowers and olive trees. This has always attracted artists of one type or another, be they novelists or painters like Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and Picasso who loved to visit and exploit what they could see for the sake of art. The countryside around Avignon for example, in the Vaucluse region, is regarded as being some of the most beautiful in France.

In addition to the year round sunny climate and sun-ripened locally produced food, vegetables and herbs, the region is noted for its wines which have been fermented for nearly three thousand years and have recently seen a surge in popularity. Also lauded is the cuisine of Provence, which results from the warm, dry Mediterranean climate and the abundance seafood from the coast.

Avignon itself sports the ancient and the modern, with three miles of fortified walls and the highly historic Palais des Papes on the one hand, and the rather more up to date opera house and university on the other. Streets and squares are often full of buskers, and the Avignon festival in July, which includes theatre, mime and cabaret, has now become a major European event. Once the Papal residence, Avignon is now a cheerful town of cafés, art galleries and fashionable shops whilst France’s oldest city, nearby Marseille, is a famously bustling port with a lively local atmosphere.

Provence has a rich history. Although Marseilles and Nice were founded in 600 BC by the Greeks, the Romans left their mark on the area in many ways, even down to the name, derived from the word ‘province’. The architecture, culture and scenery of Nimes, Arles, the magnificent theatre at Orange and the Pont du Gard are amongst the finest examples of Roman buildings in Europe. Small, hilltop villages and hamlets with cobbled streets are dotted all over the region and feature Medieval, Gallic, Roman and even some prehistoric structures, such as the village of Malaucène situated near Avignon.

Such peaceful and relaxing climes have always attracted Britons looking for a better life away from some of the harsh realities of the British rough and tumble. Surveys also indicate that Britain and France are at the opposite ends of the lifestyle league table. An extensive survey undertaken earlier this year by price comparison website uSwitch.com found that although UK income was highest in Europe, the highest performing country in their ‘Quality of Life Index’ was France. UK workers were found to work longer, die earlier and pay more for goods, services and everyday consumer items than the French. It’s no surprise that these features make France the most visited country in the world attracting some 79.3 million tourists in 2008 alone and a top destination for expats.

Graham Smith for Third Age.