Reviews of France On Foot by Readers/Critics

"Given how easy it is to overeat while vacationing in France, I've sometimes thought I should walk from one meal to the next. Now Bruce LeFavour's 'France on Foot' describes how to do just that, in a minutely detailed and passionate guide to using the French trail system. "Anecdotes aside (and the author includes many delicious ones), the book is foremost a how-to manual: how to decide what region to visit, where to find the necessary maps and guidebooks, how to plot a route so you're never stranded without bed or board, what to pack, what to wear, when to reserve." – Janet Fletcher, "Book Review," SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, 9 January 2000 "I am convinced that your book France on Foot is one of the best travel books around. Thank you for giving us a succint, specific, and extremely well-written guide! As a veteran of too many euro-travel experiences, I stumbled on your book in the local bookstore while seeking inspiration for a vacation. I instantly knew that this was it. My one week trek through the Perigord, following your suggestions, changed my idea of travel forever." – Kurt K., Oregon, e-mail, 10 October 2001 "One man's antidote to bombing down the Autoroute. A book overflowing with personal minutiae that only hoofing it a long leisurely way can reveal. Lovely stuff." – Back of Book Blurb Ralph Steadman, artist and author The Grapes of Ralph and Gonzo the Art "One rainy Oregon day just a year ago, your absolutely wonderful book arrived as a gift and I couldn't put it down! Immediately, we knew this was it. Your style in traveling, writing, food, and landscapes suited us perfectly, and right away we began planning our spring trip—and what fun it was." – Liz & Bob, Corvallis, Oregon, e-mail, 24 June 2000 “LeFavour creates a French delicacy that mixes practical hiking information about packs and boots, folds in helpful knowledge of maps, hotels and restaurants, then sprinkles on clever anecdotes of people and places in the spectacularly different regions of France.…” – Jeffrey Moore, FOREWORD, December 1998 On 17 February 2000, the book-trade magazine FOREWORD announced that France on Foot is a finalist for the 1999 "Book of the Year" award in the travel- guide catagory. "Book of the Year" awards recognize "excellence in independent publishing." back to top "...J. found your book and gave it to me for Christmas. It has been our bible. J. has even made a sarong, in much less time than I have spent making a guidebook. It answers all our questions and makes considerable helpful suggestions, in a way that may be even more credible on the basis of our experience on our hikes with the tour group. "Although, from thumbing through it, we expected your book to be useful—and it was—we did not expect it to be so readable and enjoyable. Books of this nature can be dry or appear to have been written by somebody with a warped point of view. You had a lot of suggestions, but they were convincing because you supported them with logic and that logic fit our, at least, point of view." – M. R., e-mail, 1 May 2000 “Any book that earns cover blurbs from gonzo illustrator Ralph Steadman and Chez Panisse chef Alice Waters must have something going for it. This large- format volume offers color photos, good maps, excellent directions and fine writing on France’s 110,000 miles of off-road foot-paths… The author is a chef by trade… and his rhapsodic rifts on the joys of good wine and food could inspire the most bloated of couch potatoes to get trekking.…” – Bob Sipchen, “Books to Go,” LOS ANGELES TIMES, 24 January 1999 "My husband and I saw your book on the shelf of Wide World Books and Maps in Seattle... we already had tickets to Paris but planned on buying a rail pass and travelling to Spain and Italy also. When we saw your book, we both came to the same idea at the same time...walk France!!! "We really enjoy your book and regularly look at it for inspiration and to renew our excitement for our upcoming trip." – Tanya and Steve, Seattle, e-mail, 30 Apr 2000 back to top “My dream has finally come true—I have a month to spend this summer wandering through the French countryside. How do I start planning a walking… trip?… "Next month, look for France on Foot (Attis Press, $24.95) by Bruce LeFavour." – TRAVEL & LEISURE, December 1998 "My girlfriend and I are great fans of your book. We walked from Rocamadour to Beynac two summers ago, and I did a solo trek this May from Saumur to Azay-le-Rideau, using your methodology as a guide for both walks. Thanks for leading the way. We are both 'addicted' to this method of travel, thanks to you." – Jeff, Berkeley, CA, e-mail, 11 October 2000 "Within a few pages, LeFavour will have you wondering why you even bother traveling by car—or even a bike—and why, given its splendid system of walking trails, you ever think of going anywhere but France.... "With its lode of practical tips, inspired descriptions, and alluring photographs France on Foot will put a spring in your step—and France on your agenda." – Claire Hopley, THE HARVARD POST, 12 March 1999 "Bruce LeFavour is one of the most extraordinary cooks and foragers that I know. I would happily be led, even on foot, by this book to delicious experiences in the French countryside." – Back of Book Blurb Alice Waters, chef, restaurateur and author Chez Panisse Vegetables "...your book gave me the initial idea for this type of trip. I was browsing the shelves at the Livermore Public Library when I found it. After reading it for half and hour, I rushed home to call G. to tell her that we had to travel on foot. I have since bought my own copy, and I'll continue to use it for further trips. "I am an avid mountaineer, and my relationship with G. was (and continues to be) sparked by our mutual love of good food. The ideas in your book showed me how to put these passions together. I can't wait to take in the French countryside on my legs' schedule. . . you remind me that anything else would be too fast. Now. . .to brush up on my high school French ..." – M.M., Livermore CA , e-mail, 24 May 2000 back to top "LeFavour may be a chef by profession, but I believe he could give up his day job and embrace writing full time. "His book is not a narrowly focused view of only long-distance walking; enough material is included to draw in day walkers, nonwalkers and even armchair travelers. "Clear, practical, experienced information 'walks' you through planning an independent walking trip, including choosing the region to walk in, selecting the necessary maps, acquiring the recommended equipment and, my favorite chapters, lodging and eating." – Paula Prindle, INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL NEWS, May 1999 “LeFavour, a professional chef, has produced a handsome and terrifically useful guide for anyone considering seeing France on foot.… "The photographs are beautiful. Essential for travel collections.” – Linda Kaufmann, LIBRARY JOURNAL, 15 November 1998 "The book is excellent. We have a farm in the Pays de La Loire and can't get enough of all things French. I think you capture the moment perfect ly. Unless you have done it, no one can capture the moment of that little corner cafe in Sable or emerging from a forest to see the Pont du Gard for the first time. "A great read. "Machez donc!" – T. D., Sydney, Australia, e-mail, 17 Aug 1999 “French joie de vivre on foot. This is no backpackers guide, it’s walking France on a full stomach.” – Lane Hartill, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, 28 January 1999 back to top

In my room, the world is beyond understanding, But when I walk I see that it consists of three or four hills and a cloud. – Wallace Stevens, Of the Surface of Things