Picnic in Provence

A Memoir with Recipes

By: Elizabeth Bard

Narrated by: Elizabeth Bard

Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

The best-selling author of Lunch in Paris takes us on another delicious journey, this time to the heart of Provence.

Ten years ago New Yorker Elizabeth Bard followed a handsome Frenchman up a spiral staircase to a love nest in the heart of Paris. Now, with a baby on the way and the world's flakiest croissant around the corner, Elizabeth is sure she's found her "forever place". But life has other plans.

On a last romantic jaunt before the baby arrives, the couple take a trip to the tiny Provencal village of Céreste. A chance encounter leads them to the wartime home of a famous poet, a tale of a buried manuscript, and a garden full of heirloom roses. Under the spell of the house and its unique history, in less time than it takes to flip a crepe, Elizabeth and Gwendal decide to move - lock, stock and Le Creuset - to the French countryside.

When the couple and their newborn son arrive in Provence, they discover a land of blue skies, lavender fields, and peaches that taste like sunshine. Seduced by the local ingredients, they begin a new adventure as culinary entrepreneurs, starting their own artisanal ice cream shop and experimenting with flavors like saffron, sheep's milk yogurt, and fruity olive oil.

Filled with enticing recipes for stuffed zucchini flowers, fig tart, and honey & thyme ice cream, Picnic in Provence is the story of everything that happens after the happily ever after: an American learning the tricks of French motherhood, a family finding a new professional passion, and a cook's initiation into classic Provencal cuisine. With wit, humor, and a scoop of wild strawberry sorbet, Bard reminds us that life - in and out of the kitchen - is a rendezvous with the unexpected.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2015 Elizabeth Bard (P)2015 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Once again, Elizabeth Bard welcomes us into a fantasy - this time, family life in a charming old house in the south of France. With its sharing of stories and recipes, Picnic in Provence is a friendship that deepens with every page." (Suzan Colón, author of Cherries in Winter)

"Talk about the sweet life: Elizabeth Bard's new chapter is filled with love, parenthood, and her very own ice cream shop, and she graciously shares the journey with a salty swirl of intelligence and humor." )Amy Thomas, author of Paris, My Sweet)

"A journey to the true heart and soul of living 'la vie française'. Warm, thoughtful, and beautiful - a memoir to be savored one delicious chapter (and recipe) at a time. From truffle hunting to harvesting saffron, readers will discover that there is way more to France than just Paris. The simple things in life - love and cooking with love - make every struggle and adjustment worth it. Bon app!" (Samantha Vérant, author of Seven Letters from Paris)

Good story

While I enjoyed this book, it reminded me a lot of Peter Mayle's work, which, given the setting and story line, is somewhat unavoidable.
The author's account of her childhood, including the difficulties of living with a mentally ill parent, and her personal struggle to parent her son gave the book a more serious tone.
Over all, a good book, I recommend it.

Escape to Provence!

This book transported me to Provence while in my very own home. Light listening and uplifting story autobiography-perfect to daydream to while quarantining and safely refraining from travel. Works up an appetite and aspirations for new culinary endeavors! Lunch in Paris, another book by the same author, was a gift to me from my mother years ago, so I feel like I’m growing into female adulthood with her.

Love this story!

I really enjoyed this story. It was light, amusing & full of fun facts of living in France! Highly recommend this book to any Francophile.

Narration - Voice OK but yikes...

Oh this narrator! Please pronounce words correctly! I don't speak french,so I am not sure how she does with that,but simple English words...PLEASE GET THEM RIGHT. Its painfully embarrassing.

Inspired

This story inspired me to take that trip to Paris. My husband and I had planned that before he passed. Listening to the author vividly share her experience brought me joy. My friend enjoyed it as well. Elizabeth’s Journey and her interaction with the French people was fun to listen to. I learned much about the simple yet rich recipes and good food that is common where she lived. I hope she will write another book soon.

I didn't buy this for the recipes

What did you love best about Picnic in Provence?

I love the story. I just loved the story.

Have you listened to any of Elizabeth Bard’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Loved her narration.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No I wanted to savor this book when I could give it my attention.

Any additional comments?

Worth the credit.

Better than her first book!

The author's narration is wonderful. I found this story more captivating and interesting than her first. I didn't want it to end.

A cure for my wanderlust

Over the last few months nearly home bound by this pandemic, I have desperately longed for travel, to be transported elsewhere. This book carried me to the south of France. Both in vivid pictures painted with her words and Elizabeth’s voice. It usually takes me a month or more to read - but devoured this in 2 weeks.

Lovely story

Very enjoyable and interesting story of her life and transition to living in France. Nicely done and authentic.