Provence
We decided to change the itinerary a little as our last day would have involved a 900km drive. So we have arrived in Provence, Southern France prior to Switzerland instead of after and based ourselves in a town called Apt and are driving to different parts from here.
We have driven about 450kms and been to the Pont du Gard (Roman Aqueduct) and a couple of larger cities, Nimes, Avignon and Marseille as well as countless small villages, such as Gordes, Murs, and Bonnieux. Trace has also been very keen to see lavender growing and we have hunted down several fields, though in some the lavender isn't yet blooming.
Nimes was a little disappointing as not much of the old town remains. The Roman Amphitheatre, which they say is the most complete building of it's type has been refurbished in parts and now holds rock concerts. When we visited the arena had been overlaid with asphalt and it really detracted from the feel of the place.
Avignon was lovely with a preserved wall surrounding the older part of the city. We went into the Palace of the Popes, used back in the 12th to 14th centuries by a succession of Popes. We also walked on the Pont de Avignon, which is a bridge that has collapsed during floods several times and now only 3/4 of it stands because they stopped rebuilding it a few hundred years ago. As usual we wandered the streets and laneways to get a true feel for the place.
The older part of Marseille is very nice and the Notre Dame de la Garde basilica on the top of the hill provides great views of the city and the bay. Inside is quite different to a lot of churches, much brighter and also largely dedicated to ships and shipping accidents, with numerous model boats hanging from the ceiling.
We drove on back roads so we could go through as many villages as possible and it was well worth it. Many of them are built up the sides of mountains, usually with a church or castle at the peak. Walking through these picturesque villages was quite relaxing as cars are not allowed in many parts.
The weather in Provence was beautiful with low 30's everyday. Hoping for dry weather in Switzerland.
We have driven about 450kms and been to the Pont du Gard (Roman Aqueduct) and a couple of larger cities, Nimes, Avignon and Marseille as well as countless small villages, such as Gordes, Murs, and Bonnieux. Trace has also been very keen to see lavender growing and we have hunted down several fields, though in some the lavender isn't yet blooming.
Nimes was a little disappointing as not much of the old town remains. The Roman Amphitheatre, which they say is the most complete building of it's type has been refurbished in parts and now holds rock concerts. When we visited the arena had been overlaid with asphalt and it really detracted from the feel of the place.
Avignon was lovely with a preserved wall surrounding the older part of the city. We went into the Palace of the Popes, used back in the 12th to 14th centuries by a succession of Popes. We also walked on the Pont de Avignon, which is a bridge that has collapsed during floods several times and now only 3/4 of it stands because they stopped rebuilding it a few hundred years ago. As usual we wandered the streets and laneways to get a true feel for the place.
The older part of Marseille is very nice and the Notre Dame de la Garde basilica on the top of the hill provides great views of the city and the bay. Inside is quite different to a lot of churches, much brighter and also largely dedicated to ships and shipping accidents, with numerous model boats hanging from the ceiling.
We drove on back roads so we could go through as many villages as possible and it was well worth it. Many of them are built up the sides of mountains, usually with a church or castle at the peak. Walking through these picturesque villages was quite relaxing as cars are not allowed in many parts.
The weather in Provence was beautiful with low 30's everyday. Hoping for dry weather in Switzerland.
Pont du Gard
Nimes Ampitheatre
Gordes
Avignon
Lavender
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