A Year in Provence

A year in Provence charts the hilarious mishaps of an Englishman abroad on the assault course of life, where all the pitfalls are in French. It;s based on the true experience of former advertising executive Peter Mayle, whose best selling book of the same name has been translated into 17 languages.

Having left the London rat race behind them, Peter Mayle (John Thaw) and his wife Annie's (Lyndsay Duncan) dream of an idyllic life of sun and fine wine and cuisine in the South of France has come true. Their new life begins with new year, and lunch. On the second day, reality sets in. The mistral winds, frozen pipes, it's time to install central heating. An army of builders are hired to convert the house into a modern home, it takes them all year.

One comic situation follows another as they're initiated into local festivals, feuds and events. From the exasperating neighbours, to Gastronomic marathons, to the truffle season and its Mafia involvement, settling in is a long and colourful journey for the Mayles. Between the weather and local wiles, there proves little time for peace, let alone that novel Peter is trying to write.

Filmed entirely on location in the South of France and featuring more French actors than British, this BBC adaptation captures all of the charm and humour of the book.