Living in Tuscany

Vineyards and rolling hills
From the Maremma coastline to the countryside around Siena, from the vineyards of Chianti to the famous beaches of Viareggio, not forgetting the ancient cities of Florence, Siena, Lucca, Arezzo, Cortona . . . the ever-changing scenery of Tuscany is a source of infinite delight.

Gardens of Tuscany
Famous for its sumptuous villas, Tuscany welcomes the garden lover: the Boboli Gardens in Florence, the gardens in Lucca or Siena--less well-known but just as beautiful--Living in Tuscany brings these havens of tranquility to the reader.

Tuscan Interiors
A room with a view over the Piazza del Campo in Siena, medieval terraces in the heart of Florence, grand villas surrounded by vineyards belonging to Tuscany's ancient nobility, the homes of artists and writers. Tuscany opens its doors to reveal its cultural and creative riches.

Artistic heritage
Tuscany is justly proud of its artistic and cultural heritage: fabulous museums in the heart of ancient cities displaying all the glories of Italian decorative art; the workshops of sculptors from all over the world come to work in the small town of Pietrasanta; artisans breathing new vigor into the traditional crafts of the region--Impruneta pottery, silks and perfume from Florence, mosaic art, marbled paper and leatherwork.

Places of special interest
Well-known Florence restaurants or tiny trattorias in isolated hamlets, local markets, the village butcher who is also a poet, wines from Chianti and purest olive oils for the gourmet palate, Tuscany is a synonym for good living. Old family villas turned into hotels, small farms that welcome families exploring off the beaten track: discovering Tuscany's hidden treasures becomes a real delight.

Visitor's Guide
The best addresses, as recommended by the Tuscans themselves, to discover the true Tuscany beyond the tourist trail. From little-known museums to the best vineyards to visit, from where to find the finest handmade gloves to where to eat the best tagliatelle, the Visitor's Guide tells you all you need to know to make the most of your stay in this enchanting region.

Tuscany . . . The name evokes a unique lifestyle, the legacy of an extraordinary historical and cultural heritage. In Tuscany, daily life is steeped in art: villas and gardens are wonders of balance between man and nature; interiors harbor treasures jealously guarded through the centuries. In this sumptuously illustrated book, we discover villages where time seems to have stopped; the extraordinary interiors and gardens of villas and palaces; and the traditional crafts, cuisine, and wines which make this region so exceptional.

Bruno Racine has been director of the Villa Médicis, the French Academy in Rome, since 1997. He is the author of several novels, and of Living in Rome (Flammarion, 1999).

Alain Fleischer is a film director, photographer, writer and artist. Winner of the Prix de Rome for photography, and former resident at the Villa Médicis, he lives between Paris and Rome. His photographs and works of art are regularly exhibited both in his native France and internationally.