Paris to Provence along the Rhone

2

Roman Arena in Arles 

 At Arles, there is more evidence of the Romans than of Van Goch, although one cafe has been decorated to match his "Night Cafe" painting.  The original was destroyed in WW2.
This Roman amphitheater, one of the best preserved in France, has been refitted with contemporary seats, and it is used for concerts and festivals.

 Street in Arles

 These blue shutters show the local color scheme.  This street lies more or less behind the Roman arena in Arles.  Actually, Arles seemed a bit run down.

Olives for sale
In Stes. Maries de la Mer, we came across a farmers' market in the parking lot of the town hall.  For an olive lover, like Janet, this might be heaven.

Stes. Maries de la Mer is the principal village in the Comargue, the delta between two branches of the Rhone where they empty into the Meditertanean Sea.

Beach at Cassis
The town of Cassis was, to a certain extent still is, a fishing village just east of Marseilles.  It has the reputation of being one of the least spoiled of the Côte d'Azur beach towns.
Port of Cassis
Here is the port area of Cassis.  You could really come back here.  This natural little port is surrounded by steep hills, so views abound.

Fountain in Aix-en-Provence 

 Aix-en-Provence was founded in 103 BC by the Romans, in part because of its hot springs.  It is known as the "Town of a Thousand Fountains," even though there are only a hundred or so.  This is La Rotonde, and it dates to 1860.

 Market in Aix-en-Provence

 In the Old Town area of Aix, Sunday is a big market day.  Textiles, books, flowers and food all have their own areas.  One stall near this one had more kinds of mushrooms than I could have guessed there were.

 Vineyard near Cassis

 Finally, vineyards and villages.  This is outside of Cassis, at Domaine de la Ferme Blanche.  The tiny Cassis appellation is known for its white wines.  This is the image of Provence, at least outside of the Côtes d'Azure.

Back Forward