Based themselves in southwest France, Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls cover the sweep of the French Mediterranean from the Rhone Valley to the Spanish border, including Nimes, the Corbieres, Carcassone, Perpignan and Toulouse, in opinionated, knowledgeable detail. With a section of color photographs and maps and a good 70-page overview of culture, art and architecture, history and food.  (FRN602, $18.95)