Friday, April 1, 2011

A Car for Sablet

As gasoline prices in the US race up towards the prices we pay in the South of France, I think there will be greater interest for small fuel efficient cars like we see all the time in France. This really came home to me a few weeks ago, when I rented a car in Los Angeles and I was given a silver hatchback to drive just like I rent at the Marseille Provence Airport. I thought its happening.

As we have traveled around the Vaucluse, I have snapped a few pictures of cars and trucks which caught my eye. I won't venture to tell you what kind of car or truck they all are since I don't know. I took auto mechanics in high school but it was my least favorite subject. Wife Shirley will tell you that while I am very good in the kitchen I am useless when it comes to mechanical things. Thankfully, we have a very good mechanic to take care of our cars. But I digress.

Anyway, this "truck" in Sablet caught my eye since it was three-wheeled and I love the collection of colors.


I spotted this Citroën 2CV “deux chevaux" literally two horses in Eygalières, an economy car produced by the French automaker Citroën between 1948 and 1990. It was technologically advanced and innovative, but with uncompromisingly utilitarian unconventional looks, and deceptively simple bodywork, that belied the sheer quality of its underlying engineering. It was designed to move the French peasantry on from horses and carts.


Another Citroën 2CV, this one in Bonnieux.


This truck in Ménerbes caught my eye.


One more Citroën 2CV spotted in Ménerbes.


I saw this cute, tiny, fuel efficient car on the street in Sablet. Who knows, maybe that will be the kind of car I get to drive someday. I think that car will fit into our garage in Sablet, perfect for squeezing into one of those tiny parking spots you find when you are circling around looking for a place to park on market day or to make your way down one of those super narrow streets all over the South of France.


Happy travels. Bonne journée et à bientot.

6 comments:

  1. The last photo is of the car I want, a Fiat 500, but for now, my old Renault Twingo is still working...it's small and fuel efficient.

    ps I haven't been blown away by any restaurants in Aix, but in Eygalières, we ate at Chez Bru and it was excellent and now we want to try Sous les Micocouliers.

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  2. I love those little trucks. See a lot of those in Italy.

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  3. Lovely collection of motors,the first looks like the owner wanted a motorbike and a van rolled into one!Love the last one almost a smart car those tiny ones you can park lengthways or facing out to the street!

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  4. This is a fun post Michel! We have a Renault Clio and it took me a while to get used to the smaller cars in France, but now I can't imagine driving a bigger one. Although I'd love to have one of those old Citroën 2CVs, so classy!

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  5. Meredith - I would like that car too. Not sure if it will fit in our garage yet: plenty wide but not sure the garage is long enough.

    Megan - I never see the truck out on the street, just parked there in front of that house.

    Talesfromagarden - I am definitely looking for a car which I can squeeze into some of those tight spaces.

    Tuula - I know the Clio will fit and we may well end up with that same car. I am guessing we will see more small cars in the US in the years to come.

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  6. I say bring back the 2CV! It could go anywhere, was easy to maintain, inexpensive, had great gas mileage, and as you mentioned, iconic design. I've always had that daydream of owning one...

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