We continue to pinch ourselves with our opportunities for travel, we can't get enough. Our travels this time took us to the southern French city of Nimes. Getting there we traveled through the Rhone River Valley, criss-crossing the wide and fast moving river. The Valley is very wide with mountains on either side similar in size to mountains found in eastern United States. Orchards and vineyards are plentiful, along with heavy industry and what looked like cooling towers for the nuclear industry. Poppy plants with their brilliant red color were growing wild along the roadsides, just beautiful.
Pont du Gard was a must see for us and it was our first stop. This magnificent site was built about 50 AD and it is hard to image how the Romans placed those huge stones in such high places across the Gard River gorge. The original aqueduct was 31 miles in length and was built to supply water to the city of Nimes. Kayaking down the river under the Pont du Gard is a popular pastime as well as bicycling the surrounding paths and landscape. We walked across the pedestrian bridge that was built right in front of the original, as there is no access allowed on the original bridge.
Situated near the border of Provence and the Languedoc region, Nimes and its surrounding areas had a very different feel than where we live. It seemed like a slower, more laid back pace, a definite Mediterranean feel. Roman evidence is at every turn.
Masion Carree:
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| Maison Carree, built 5 AD. |
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| Arena, built 100 AD |
Garden of Fountains
We took side trips to Aigues-Mortes, Uzes, St. Marie on the Sea, Avignon and, of course, we could not resist a few winery stops. Both Aigues-Mortes and Avignon are walled cities, something that I have never seen before. We saw people pick-nicking on the side of the road, they just through a blanket out and plopped down in the tall grass. We are going to do this soon, I just know it.
Our stay in St Marie on the Sea was very short due to the weather. We didn't see much of interest there, but we wanted to see the Mediterranean Sea, and so we did.
Aigues-Mortes was originally built as a fortification for the king of France. It was France's only port, at the time, to the Mediterranean Sea. Cute shops to explore and many quaint restaurants. I noticed a Spanish influence here. In the surrounding countryside it looked like white horses were wondering wild in the marsh lands without fences and this was confirmed by a French friend of mine.
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| Aigues-Mortes |
Uzes was a small town that our hotel owner recommended. On Saturdays the entire town has vendors selling everything imaginable, and inexpensive too. The little stores throughout the town were also open, competing for the euro. The plants and flowers were perfect, not a brown pedal in sight. Various musicians and entertainers were performing in street corners. It was difficult to get a feel for the town since the vendors took up every square inch of the sidewalks and squares, but my guess is that Uzes is just as adorable on any day of the week.
Located along the Rhone River, Avignon is best known for the Palace of the Popes. The city become home to the Popes in the 14th century due to turmoil in Rome. Architecture within the walls of the city is spectacular. The streets are winding with stores you would find in any larger city. We witnessed a wedding celebration outside the mayor's office. Lots of horn blowing, clapping, and dancing (see the video). We had a nice dinner in a small restaurant on an, out of the way street. We have learned to stay away from the restaurants on the squares that are serving tourist even though those umbrellaed tables look charming and inviting.
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| Avignon, Rhone River in the background, view from Palace of the Popes. |
On the way home we stopped and rode bikes through the vineyards and small towns in the Burgundy region, about one hour from our home. We out biked this approaching storm by minutes.
Take a look at our photos and videos at this link:
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