A Year's Journey through France and Part of Spain, Volume 2 (1777)

"A Year's Journey through France and Part of Spain, Volume 2" by Philip Thicknesse is a captivating travel journal from the 1700s, chronicling the author's adventures and insights while journeying through France and parts of Spain. The story vividly depicts the cultural, historical, and societal elements encountered along the way, and includes interactions with diverse individuals, conversations about aestheticism and artistry, and explorations of local traditions. Thicknesse starts his voyage in Nîmes, where he outlines his living arrangements with a refined woman, the mistress of his landlord, Mons. Saigny, revealing the local tensions that eventually escalate into disputes with his landlord. His deep curiosity drives him to seek connections with locals while uncovering the historic wonders in towns like Arles, highlighting the history and culture of the regions he explores through ancient ruins and architecture.