of the novel introduces readers to a September day in Provence, capturing the vibrant atmosphere of the region during vendange, or grape harvest. The narrator, accompanied by the poet Mistral and his son, approaches Tarascon and reflects on their past experiences and the town’s notorious reputation due to the antics of Tartarin himself. As they arrive, the once-bustling Tarascon eerily appears deserted, with hints of a mass exodus led by Tartarin in pursuit of adventure and prosperity in a new, promised land. The narrative builds intrigue as the residents have disappeared to seek out colonization in Port-Tarascon, signifying the whimsy and humor that characterizes the tale to follow. (This is an automatically generated summary.)