Languedoc

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Up early and off to the Languedoc. We have enjoyed the wines from this region for many years and are eager to see the region.  After pouring over our various maps, we have chosen a route that will allow us to avoid the highways.  We head northwest from Aix via Venelles on our way to our first spot, Arles.  We drive across narrow roads lined with plane trees through which tantalizing views of farmhouses, wineries, and chateau can be seen.  There is very little traffic.  Makes for a more relaxed trip.  

We pass through Cannat, Lambesc, Salon-de-Provence and arrive at Arles.

Arles - Main Square

Roman Amphitheater

Colliseum

Exterior Wall of Collesium

Just Another Charming House

Clematis

Typical Street in Historic Center

An Old Ruin in an Old Ruin

Stage of the Amphitheater

The Cheap Seats

View from Top Row

Coliseum

Interior of Coliseum

Arles is charming and quite easy to see on foot.  We stopped by the Tourism office to pick up a map of the city and then headed for the main square.  No market today, but it was nice to be there when it was fairly uncrowded.  First stop was the amphitheater built by the Romans. Still in operation today! It is amazing that wherever they travelled (aka conquered) they established centers of culture, water systems, roads, bridges, and countless other improvements.  John read that the generals would assign the soldiers building projects during long encampments to keep them occupied and out of trouble. 

The coliseum was an amazing structure. It is still in use as a bull fight arena.  So close to Spain, the residents are obsessed with it!

The Mistral was in full force so we settled into a little cafe for lunch.  Checked out the map and decided to backtrack a bit to visit Les Baux.  When we were in Bar sur Loup two years ago, a woman we met suggested that we visit there on our way to St. Remy.  She said it was her favorite village in the Languedoc.  Somehow, we missed it the first time.  Glad we didn't this time around. Gorgeous!

View From Parking Lot

On the Climb Up, and Up, and Up

Narrow Cobbled Streets...

Beautiful Artwork...

Historic (Small) Hotels...

Lovely Chapels...

Ancient Structures (meaning the walls!)..

Shopping...

and intriguing passageways.

It really has it all.  The city is built into the stone cliffs high above the valley and the views are magnificent.  The shops and restaurants were exquisite.  Each one a little work of art.  We would love to come back just to have lunch. Cannot stress enough how absolutely, drop dead gorgeous this place is.  If you are ever in the region DO NOT MISS seeing it!

We lingered a little longer than we had planned (it was just so cool!) so at about 3:30 pm we hit the road, heading for Uzes (northwest of Avignon) where we had reservations to stay that night.  Down the winding steep road towards Remoulins and points north, hoping we would reach our destination before sunset (no problem with vampires - we are just old and don't like to drive after dark).

We arrived at Uzes just as the sun was setting. What a lovely city.  Once inside the fortified walls, the historic town center is almost perfectly round, with the streets spreading out in circles connected by passages, each one more charming than the next.  Found a parking spot and reached the tourist office just before closing.  Amazed to discover that our hotel - the Hostelerie Provencal was only two blocks from where we parked. Yay!  

The hotel was lovely - masses of fresh roses in the tiny lobby - with a small dining room attached.  Unfortunately I had not thought to make reservations for dinner that evening and they were booked.  Not a problem.  Our host directed us across the street where after a walk around the city we had a wonderful meal.

Fruits de la Mer

It was a great place to stay the night.  We had read that it was a good (and quieter) alternative to staying in Nimes and we are into the smaller, less congested towns.  Great day!