Sur le chemin des marbres published by Éditions du BRGM.
© BRGM
A circuit to discover French marble, the most beautiful ornamental stone
Marble is one of the finest wonders of the mineral world. Since ancient times, its shiny finish and multicoloured patterns have been used to beautify statues, decorative artefacts, grand estates and prestigious monuments. A symbol of wealth and splendour, marble is an integral part of France’s heritage. This book uncovers the hidden history of marble, from Antiquity to the present day.
It takes the reader on a tour through France to trace a hundred or so remarkable marble varieties in their natural environment. It ends with an exploration of prestigious buildings in Paris and the surrounding area, including castles, private mansions and iconic monuments.
The book is richly illustrated, giving the reader a chance to experience the aesthetic appeal of the mineral heritage essential to France’s architectural history.
Authors : Franck Hanot, Frédéric Simien, Joséphine Vicelli, Catherine Loriot
Price : 29 euros
"Vignobles & géologie en Languedoc et en Roussillon" by Éditions du BRGM.
© BRGM
Vineyards and geology in Languedoc and Roussillon
The second book, entitled Vignobles et géologie en Languedoc et en Roussillon explores France’s largest wine-growing region. Bordered by the Pyrenean mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, this region is one of the most geologically diverse in the country. There is a link between this geological diversity and the variety of wines produced in the region. The composition, structure, relief and geological history of the region’s subsoil directly influence the taste and quality of the wines it produces.
The first section of the book presents the different terroir profiles, climates and wine-producing histories. The second section includes seventeen itineraries describing the different controlled designations of origin (appellations d’origine contrôlée, or AOCs) by area, from Sommières in the Gard to Banyuls in Pyrénées-Orientales.
This book provides valuable insights into the different wines and wine-production processes, and some remarkable sites from an archaeological and geological perspective.
Authors : Jean-Claude Bousquet
Price : 39 euros
