August 2006. Our travel in Provence, France

Our holidays in the surroundings of Pont du Gard

 

Starting to Graveson

AUGUST 2006 TRIP IN PROVENCE by Gian Anto Lara Cyan

Admittedly, these holidays of culture were the richest of our expectations. The idea of this tour is coming to Gian, lover of Roman ruins in one of his journeys on the Internet has found something extraordinary: Pont du Gard in France, an aqueduct still well preserved.

Sunday 06 August.
We left for Graveson, peaceful country in a strategic location in the heart of Provence at the bb "Le Mas Ferrand. We could not ask for better: typical Provencal farmhouse, quiet and well kept with a beautiful garden. The owners, Chistine and Jean-Paul, people are very friendly and available, not to mention the breakfast: very good home-made jams, hot baguettes, croissants and cakes.

First day

Monday 07 August.

We had planned to visit the Pont du Gard, but on Monday morning and museum shops are closed, so we opted for a visit to the Gorges du Verdon. The canyon was very disappointing. The road is narrow, with tourists who stop at any place has a semblance of space, to admire the view from above. The only positive note was the scenery and villages that we passed through. We have come 450 km (day practically thrown) but returned to the base we had a shower and rest and we went to dinner at a restaurant à bon marché, indicatoci from Christine. After dinner we were directed to Pont du Gard (30 km) for a visit today. The site is open until 24 and the show that we are facing is FANTASTIC! Average Daily 9th

Second day

Tuesday 08 August.

After a great breakfast we move to Pont du Gard to review it in light of the sun. This imposing structure is 50m high and long and 275mt is part of an ancient aqueduct that carried water from Uzès to Nimes, 35000 mtcubi daily. The Romans used to build it for 15 years. Parking on the left bank of the river Gard cost 3 euros, but the visit to the site is free. We recommend visiting the museum, very interesting (8 euros including a guided tour sections of the inside). The film (3 euros per 25 minutes) is only in French or English and not worth it to see it. Below the bridge you can swim or rent a kayak. The site is still beautiful and far exceeded our expectations.
In the afternoon we direct towards Uzès on reporting by Jean-Paul. Along the way we made a small stop at the "Musée du Bon bon" dedicated to candy and sponsored by Haribo.
A tour of mostly friendly but a lot of sweets and a boutique where you can not leave empty-handed.
We continue our journey and arrived at the destination we visit the church and then we head to the office of tourism, where we provide a map of the city with which we do a good lap, curious in discovering the many shops and very beautiful views.
Dinner along the road and on the way back we pass to Tarascon. Average Daily 10

Third day

Wednesday 09 August.

Arles to leave for the 9:30 and just 2km we first stop at the Museum of aromas and scents, where you can also buy their products (www.viearome.com). Beware of artificial bumps.
Arrived in Arles we walk to the market and nosy among the stalls of local produce, spices and we pleasantly surprised by street vendors who sell only one product or onions, or garlic, or melons, etc. ..
Lunch in a store of oil recommended by our guide "Les hiules Jamard", 46 rue des Arènes where the sandwiches are fantastic (we recommend "la vache folle" bull with salami and pepperoni). Besides there is a bar where coffee do as God commands.
We visit the Roman Amphitheater, well kept, where you can see 3 of the 4 defensive towers were built with the stones of the Roman theater, during the Middle Ages, when it was turned into a fortress. Twice a year there will again play the bullfights.
In the afternoon we sail for Chateaux des Baux experiencing the typical landscapes of Provence and les Alpilles coasting.
Arrived at the foot of the fortress remain without words, seeing is believing.
The country is well-preserved tourist exploited to the maximum. We visit the ruins of the castle, EUR7 approximately 3h, with audio guide; attention to the wind on the towers but the view to the sea is beautiful.
Before going on set to make a final souvenir photos with the castle in the background, and routed to a parking lot on the hill to the right of the country where we come into a cave (cellar for wine and cheese) made from a limestone quarry into disuse. The wine is good and also the set design and very evocative.
We head towards St Remy where after a walk through the old town, dinner in a brasserie in front of the 'Eglise St. Martin. 9 vote today

Fourth day

Thursday, August 10.

Christine kindly prepares us breakfast 1h before because today you will visit the Camargue.
First stage Les Saintes Maries de la Mer Here we take a boat (10 euros) and up the mouth of the Little Rhone for a cruise among the flora and fauna of the area. We admire closely bulls and white horses of Camargue.
Returned to earth where we visit the country twice a year, in May and November, gypsies gather at the church of S. Sara their patron, filling the streets of songs, music and dancing. Climb on the roof of the church (2 euro) from where the sight and very beautiful.
Lunch in a seafront restaurant Brasserie La Chamade, which probalby seen the value for money.
The tour continues to Aigues-Mortes (literally water-dead) whose walls are intact, and walked with a walk of 1.6 km (7 euros). From the southern ramparts you can admire the rose-colored salt marshes.
On the way back we stop to Vergèze where the "Perrier Souche", the source of the famous sparkling water, to visit the museum. Unfortunately you enter on the reservation and so we walk a little 'for the garden and visit the chateaux.
The evening dinner at Nimes, a town some 'disappointing with an arena that we Verona seems a bad copy of our scaled. One point in favor for the parking lots that are not lacking here. Rating 7.5.

Fifth day

Friday, August 11.

After breakfast we prepare to spend our last day of vacation. We have a very intense program, then we leave for Orange.
The road winds through the vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pap, well cared for, the production of wine is sold even years in advance, making it impossible for tourists to get their hands on the best wines of the region.
We arrive at the Roman Theater is a spectacle! The ticket costs 7.70 euros. Designed by the Romans to accommodate about 9000 people is the only genre in which the wall of the scene has remained intact to this day.
For lunch eat a sandwich on the fly to save time and enter into a bakery in front of the theater "Festival des pains": the sandwiches are excellent!
We get in the car and the next step is Vaison la Romaine. The medieval village perched on a hill is enchanting, it seems out of a fairy tale and the vast Roman ruins are well preserved and interesting (7.5 euros). The theater is half a cheat: it is completely rebuilt!
Avignon cross to reach the plain of the Rhône with loads of beautiful grape vineyards and villages perched on the hills around.
Parking in the walls near the famous Pont d'Avignon (Pont Saint-Bénezet).
The original wooden structure was 9000 m long was destroyed by un'innondazione. Reconstructed stone had the same fate for 2 more times until the tire Avignonesi 22 and spans it left 4 today.
With the cumulative ticket for 11.50 Euro, you can access either to the bridge at the Palais des Papes.
The largest gothic palace in Europe was the seat of the papacy until 1377 and under the various popes grew up to become what it is today. The visit lasts about 2h, during which you visit the Great Chapels, the Musée de l'Oeuvre, with extensions of the models made by any pope and Bouteillerie, a wine shop offering tastings and you can buy the wine of the Popes.
Dinner in a brasserie in the square where the menus are affordable and the food is not bad.
Vote of the Gionata 8.5.

Sixth day

Saturday August 12.

With sadness in the heart load the machine with great difficulty. We could not return without cigales ceramic, straw bags, soaps, and the wines of the various areas visited.
It 'was a great, only regret the famous colors of Provence as the lavender was already' been collected, and the flowering of sunflowers already passed.