Sunday, September 15, 2019

France 2019 - Day 14: The long way home

Sad goodbye to Avignon . . . left the apartment at 6:30am for the Gare TGV Avignon. Very beautiful train station.


Inside Gare TGV Avignon

Sunrise on the platform
Sad going home face!

Avignon to Paris, then Paris to Dallas/Ft. Worth, then on to Portland and finally Portland to Albany. Completely exhausted on arrival home.

France 2019 - Day 13: Cassis

After yesterday's rain, we were graced with a beautiful, sunny day for our drive to Cassis on the Mediterranean.

Cassis

View on the way to Cassis from rest stop

Cassis Waterfront

Castle overlooking Cassis

"The Girls" going on a tram tour of Cassis

The Beach

Harbor

Gorgeous water

Our next (wishful thinking) vacation home

Happy faces


France 2019 - Day 12: Pont du Gard

Began the morning with a walk across the bridge from Avignon to the Île de Piot (island in the middle of two branches of the Rhone river.

Walk to Île de Piot

Early morning walk to Île de Piot

Panorama of Avignon from Île de Piot

Pont du Gard

Afterward we piled into our rental car and headed to Pont du Gard to view the historic aqueduct constructed by the Romans to bring water to the city of Nîmes. Difficult to imaging how this massive structure was built in about 5 years time!
Tree-lined road leading to Pont du Gard

View of the aqueduct atop the Pont du Gard


Stone commemorating a 1000 year old olive tree

Pont du Gard

In front of ancient stone house

Stone house

Old aqueduct

1000 year old olive tree

Afterward, back to Avignon and the apartment for refreshments!

A not-too-bad French IPA

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

France 2019 - Day 11: Côtes du Rhône Wine Tour

Breakfast at "La Salon De Thé" across street from our apartment, then a nice drive to Côtes du Rhône for a tour of the lovely villages and a couple of wineries.

Côtes du Rhône 

"Hollywood" style sign
Mourchon winery (owned by a Scottsman)

Mourchon tasting room

Lunch of Foie Gras

Goat cheese and charcuterie salad

Terrace restaurant

Walk from the restaurant

Ivy lined wall

Town clock tower

View of The Dentalles

Happy couple

Gigondas






This is the car I want:


Sunday, September 08, 2019

France 2019 - Day 10: Gordes / Roussillon

Long walk this morning around the entire walled portion (ramparts) of the old city of Avignon:

3.5 Miles Around

Gordes

Easy drive to Gordes and a walk up/down some very steep, rocky streets. 
Entrance to Gordes

City on a Hill

Overlook from Gordes



One of many rocky paths


The main village


The iconic overlook of the city

 On the way to Roussillon

Tara winery


Roussillon etching

Robin and Paulette climbing the stairs


View from the courtyard in Roussillon

Roussillon



Lovely old stone wall