For a time this was the most successful foreign film in British box-office history, and deservedly so. It's a continuation of Jean de Florette, which told how a hunchback from Paris tried to establish himself as a farmer in rural Provence, only to have his water supply blocked off by a conniving neighbour (Montand) who wanted to take his land.
See full review of Manon Des Sources from Channel 4 Film.
Two other films in the series are Le Chateau de Ma Mère (my mother's chateau) and La Gloire de Mon Père (my father's glory) - all set in the Provencal hills above Aubagne (13 Bouches-du-Rhone, Provence) between Marseille and Aix-en-Provence. (see map)
Aubagne is proud to be the birthplace of Pagnol and whilst it cashes in somewhat with a "miniature world of Marcel Pagnol" with hundreds of Provencal figurines based on his characters, the house where he was born is now a museum to the great man.
However, what to my mind is better (if you are fit enough) is to take one of the signposted walks which take you up in to the hills (the Massif du Garbalan) where Manon and Jean de Florette were based and filmed. Here you can capture the essence of deepest Provence, both beautiful and stark, abundant with herbs and awesome views over the "garrigue"
The local tourist office in Aubagne has details of these walks, and there are some guided tours available with a coach to take you up the hills. Alternatively there are "threatrical excursions" which involve a local theatre company's actors recreating scenes from the films in the original locations. But be warned, some serious uphill walking is required and it can be seriously hot in mid-summer. Best to make an early start to avoid the heat of the afternoon. There can also be some restrictions in the height of summer to minimise the risk of moorland fires - again check with the Tourist Office.
LINKS:-
Aubagne Tourist Office and Pagnol walks
Manon Des Sources [1986]
