Posts Tagged With: france

Day 11: Exploring the Provence Region 

Today started very boringly – coffee and a chocolate croissant while we spent anhour and a bit doing our washing at the local laundromat in Arles. Percy found the dryer riveting. We were up before most of the locals and the streets were very quiet. 
   
 We then were meant to catch the train for around 20 mins to Avignon, where our tour leader had arranged for us and the Canadian couple to go on a local tour of the Provence region. Unfortunately, the train timetables were incorrect (it being almost off season now) so we had to catch a taxi. Note to self: double check train timetables with the transit officers next time. 

First, we stopped at Gordes, one of the most beautiful villages in France, famous for the architecture with dry stones and the astounding views over the countryside. 

   
 
Then it was off to Les Baux de Provence, a village located upon a rock with much of its buildings actually carved straight out of the rock! I got some gorgeous jewellery here and presents for lucky people. The view was pretty spectacular as well. 

   

 Finally, we visited the famous site of the Pont du Gard, dated from the first century and now world heritage listed.  This was an amazing and well preserved part of the Roman acqueduct which supplied water to Nîmes.

   
   
We then headed back to Arle and with our tour leader went for dinner at Chez Felix. The owner was very friendly and the food was brilliant…but most importantly, the view was unbeatable 🙂 

  

  
Mel 

P.S. Percy had a little too much red wine tonight…

  

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An extra post because the food was just THAT GOOD. 

So, we went out for dinner at this tiny little restaurant in Arle tonight called Cador. At first, we were all a little worried as there was some misunderstanding with the menu and prices seemed to be a little high…hmmmm…

However, the food was well and truly worth any confusion. Simply divine.
 

mushroom and chicken in a creamy sauce

  

a banana split with gelato

  

some limoncello to finish off

  
  

he sang us original songs!

 

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Day 10: Arles, France 

Later start today with a 10:20am train, big hooray after all that red wine last night. This was a fairly long train trip of 2.5 hrs and we had reserved seats…which were pretty comfy. Little bit of motion sickness but I’m taking the travacalm now and it really does help. Worth the zombie side effects. 
We checked in to Hotel Regence on arrival in Arles, France and then went looking for some lunch.  
 
After lunch it was exploration time! We went and checked out the Roman baths and then walked up through the city to the main square. We also saw the hospital where Vincent Van Gogh went after trying to chop his ear off, one of his paintings is of this exact spot.

 

roman baths

  

the main square

 

the gardens at the hospital where Van Gogh was treated

 
 From here the group split up to explore the open theatre, the amphitheater and the crypts underneath the main square. 
 

exploring the open theatre

 
   

view of the city and river from the amphitheatre

  

the tunnels under the main square

 
On the way back we sussed out where the local laundry is and our free morning tomorrow will be spent washing and drying some clothes. Then it’s off to Provence in the afternoon to explore the area, see an aqueduct and perhaps buy some souvenirs.

Mel 

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Day 9: Adios Spain, Bon Jour France

Today was an early breakfast at 7:45am as we head away from the Pyrenees and towards France. Our 6th tour member has joined us and she seems lovely, another Australian travelling solo around our age. This is her 3rd intrepid tour in a row! She has spent 2 months in Europe.
5€ breakfast at the hotel was delicious again, although I’m starting to grow weary of all this bread. So much bread. Then it was off to the train station with all our bags. There was a kerfuffle at the station where they didn’t open the ticket booth and it was all a mad rush but in the end we were able to sort it out on the train…hooray for having a tour leader! After an hour train trip, we had crossed the border and arrived in a tiny little French town. From there we had a private van to take us to Carcassonne. A quick rest and we were off to explore the castle and ancient city.

   
   
  
Our hotel here is very big and super cute. I’m very impressed with Hotel de la Bastide so far. 

  
After exploring there was much red wine and some delicious dinner at a tiny little French restaurant called Restaurant Le Trivalou.

 

B had traditional cassoulet

  
  

creme catalana again, this one different to the first time in the mountains, we couldnt ‘t agree on a shared preference

 
Then we went on to drink in a very strange gothic bar. There was also street singing and dancing 🙂 

   
 
Steps: 18559

Kilometres: 15.3

Tomorrow (well, actually today…how confusing!): moving on to Arles in France. I’m looking forward to the day after when we will be exploring the Provence region and an aqueduct. 

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