Day 1: Avignon and the Van Gogh Asylum
After four forms of transportation (bus, plane, train, and automobile) we arrived in Avignon. An automatic car was a must when we realized how windy and compact the roads would be in Provence. We arrived at the car rental agency, after already paying for an automatic, and the woman helping us had the audacity to ask if we "needed an automatic." Trent confirmed and stretched the truth that we could drive a manual. They did not have the class of car we had reserved so they ended up giving us a brand new Mercedes with only 15 miles on it. This car was posh with such accessories as a back up camera, beeping when you get too close to something, and USB and aux jack.
Now on to Avignon.....
Avignon is a medium sized city that still felt charming. We roamed around the town in our half awake stupor. We saw the waterwheels that were used to make fabric. We also visited the Palace of the Popes - home of the Pope when he was not so welcomed in Rome and the home of the French Popes. Trent found this to be a little too homey as he took a nice 30 minute nap during a tour. We ended up at the Pont de Avignon. A bridge that was made after a man reported having a vision that they should build the bridge. After many storms, the bridge partly fell down. We walked out to the edge and felt the strongest winds of our lives.
I was hoping to make to to the Van Gogh Asylum that evening before it closed. We arrived about 5 minutes late but noticed many people walking in to the building. Trent convinced me to go on in and see what all the masses of people were for. As we entered, we found a large group gathering and some food that was set out for a theater group. Trent grabbed some food and we headed up to Van Gogh's bedroom for a free tour.
Day 2: Les Baux and Nimes Festival
In the morning we were greeted by the rooster crowing to wake us. Our bed and breakfast was set in the country which included a sit down breakfast with all fresh breads, delicious jams, and apple juice bottled on site.
We drove up to the mountains to the ancient city of Les Baux, a charming rock town with winding streets. We arrived before most of the tourists so the city was quiet with morning light gleaming on the cobblestones. We saw the castle ruins and catapult demonstrations.
"Light after darkness"
That afternoon, we had reservations at a great family restaurant. Unfortunately, our GPS told us that we had arrived at the restaurant so we parked. We walked and walked and finally stopped at a store and they told us "it is just down the street." We kept walking, admittedly it was a beautiful setting, and we still did not find the restaurant. In fact, Trent decided to turn back and get the car. I finally stumbled into the place with Trent not far behind me. The lunch was divine and worth the walk.
We were unsure if we would go to Nimes but found out there was a festival going on - a bull fighting festival. I can't support bull fighting but I can get behind a good festival especially when it includes seeing old temples (Temple of Diana), 100 person marching bands, and a running of the bulls. The marching bands were the best part by far. The running of the bulls turned out to be the running of the bull - yeap, they run them one at a time with horses all around with little boys pulling at their tails. Quite over rated.
Bull fighting arena
Temple of Diana
Trent super afraid of the running bowls
Day 3: L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Gordes and Roussillon
Another morning waking up to the rooster. The rooster did not crow once but like every 3 minutes for 20 minutes. Luckily we had a wonderful day planned in the hill towns of Provence. We started at the farmers market at L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. A wonderful town that has canals weaving through its center. The market was huge and consisted of antiques, crafts and food. The market weaved through the town and it was easy to get lost and hard to leave. We bought some nugget, bread, cheese, dried fruit, jams, tablecloths, and some old large keys.
We took our lunch to Gordes and ate it at a lovely square.
View of Gordes
After visiting Gordes, we went to Roussillion where all the building are a red color after using pigment from the nearby Orche Mines. Trent was rightly offended when the sign at the Ochre Mines said "this is like the red rocks of Colorado." The park was beautiful with jagged cliffs and walking trails.
Lavender - the staple of Provence
On the way to dinner, we came across a farmer moving his herds and we got caught behind him. Classic. By the way, the dinner that evening was amazing. Especially the chocolate lava cake that Trent ordered. We usually share our desserts but Trent was unsure if this meant a straight share situation. I asked for a last bite. He looked at me, back to the cake, and gave me a look that said "you can ask for anything but this." He finally gave me a last bite and he finished it off. It was that delicious. That night I talked Trent into driving up to Les Baux to take a picture of it lit up at night. We drove up the winding road in the pitch dark and then jumped out in the dark to capture a picture. The whole time I kept thinking, I can't believe that we are doing this.
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