Invitation To France, Vignettes-8

Chapter 15 Provence

Aigues-Mortes … Just imagine looking out the “bedroom” window, and seeing floodlit 800 year old walls, walls that protected members of the Seventh and Eighth Crusade as they set out to liberate Jerusalem, all those years ago.

Nîmes … It’s interesting to note that while we were parked next to an old house that was part of an Empire created by the Romans, we were just down the street from a store that is part of an Empire created by a Mouse. Mickey, that is.

Avignon’s Municipal Campsite is on the island in the middle of the Rhône River, and we have parked our RV there three different years … as seen from the island, with the old bridge, the city wall, and the Palace illuminated by floodlights … one of the more spectacular sights of a vacation trip.

Glanum … The Phoenicians were here in 600 BC, the Teutons in 102 BC, the Romans in 49 BC, the Barbarians invaded in 200 AD, and the Californians were here in 1980, 1983, 1988 and 1995.

Arles Amphitheater … Some spectator seats are still on the original stone terraces, simple wooden bleachers provide the remainder. … there were advertisements for a concert by the Glenn Miller Orchestra

Chapter 16 Côte d’ Azure, French Riviera

Perched Villages … Flagstone and cobbles pave the winding pathways, and torturous stairways wend their way from one level to the next. Narrow little paths between stone buildings, arches from building to building, stairs going here

We have mentioned other places we stopped for breakfast or lunch, but when we can see Tourrette sur Loup across the narrow gorge, that view from our dining table is … fabulous

Peille is perched on the very tip of a mountain shaped like a loaf of bread standing on end, with the town covering the top like a knit cap. The hairpin switch-backs on the road to Peille were almost frightening.

Fréjus … found no parking space within a distance that appealed to Emmy’s spirit of adventure, as modified by her gumption for walking. She demands some reasonable association between effort and excitement, even in shopping.