Thursday, August 31, 2017

Sunflower fields are special places of beauty in Provence, worth seeking out!

Friday, July 21, and we were on the road to find a good vantage point to watch the Tour de France near Lauris. As we drove toward the town of Orange to get on the A-7 autoroute, we came upon a huge field of sunflowers. There is nothing Shirley likes more than sunflowers, except maybe a field of purple lavender or red poppies, so we stopped for photos.

You may not be aware that despite the fact that you find postcards, photos and paintings of sunflowers all over Provence, they are actually native to the Americas. Sunflowers seeds were brought to Europe by Spaniards in the 16th century where sunflower oil became a widespread cooking ingredient.

Sunflowers, tournesol in French, have rough, hairy stems, and what most people call the flower on a mature sunflower is a flower head of numerous small flowers crowded together. The outer flowers are sterile and the flowers inside the circular head mature into seeds from which oil is extracted.

Sunflower

Sunflowers generally grow to between 5 and 12 feet tall and bloom from late June to the end of July with harvest occurring at the beginning of August.

Sunflower field near Violès

When we come upon a beautiful field of flowers (sunflowers, lavender or red poppies) that are in peak season and facing the road, it is mandatory that we stop and Shirley and whoever is traveling with us run into the field and pose for pictures.

Daughter Stephanie and Shirley

A common misconception is that sunflowers track the sun. In fact, mature sunflowers typically face east and do not move. The leaves and buds of young sunflowers do change their orientation from east to west during the course of a day; once mature the movements stop.

Sunflower field near Violès

You may not know that the Jerusalem artichoke also called sunchoke and topinambour, is a type of sunflower. It is cultivated widely across the temperate zone for its tuber, which is used as a root vegetable and delicious roasted or in soup.

More of the sunflower field near Violès

It's hard not to fall in love with a field of sunflowers: they give off a sense of happiness, like suns shining on a perfect summer day.

Sunflower field near Violès

I have read that the most beautiful sunflower fields in the world are in Tuscany. I have not seen those fields but until I do, I will continue to believe there are none more beautiful than the sunflower fields of Provence.

The family

If you are in Provence during July, make sure you stop and get a picture or two of yourself in one of the sunflower fields you will surely pass by. For me, I continue to look for a place where sunflowers and lavender grow next to each other so I can take one of those only on a postcard shots to share with you.

Sunday, August 27, 2017

A visit to Avignon and the Jardin des Doms during the Festival of Avignon

Avignon is 40 km southwest of Sablet, snuggled inside ancient walls along the Rhône River. The largest town in the Vaucluse, Avignon is very old, full of history, art, music and activity. You could spend hours wandering the narrow streets inside the fortified walls without getting bored

The historic center of Avignon radiates from Place de l'Horloge. Here, you will find the City Hall built between 1845 and 1851 on top of a former cardinal's palace. The old fortified tower of the cardinal's palace was retained and transformed into a belfry in the 15th century with clock and bellstriker. Next to it, the municipal theater, also from the 19th century, houses the Avignon opera and, at the top of the square, the "Belle Époque" style carrousel seen below.

"Belle Epoque" Carrousel

When we go to Avignon, we try to park at the Hotel Mercure garage because the stairs exit close to the Popes' Palace. Right next to the stairway, is the Hôtel des Monnaies (mint), the earliest private Baroque monument in Avignon. It sits opposite the main entrance to the Popes' Palace. It was built in 1619 by the Vice-Legate Jean-François de Bagni, and is dedicated to Paul V, the then reigning Pope. In 1860, it became the Conservatoire National de Musique. It was used as such up to 2007.

Hôtel des Monnaies

Notre-Dame des Doms Cathedral is a Romanesque building, mainly built during the 12th century. The most prominent feature of the cathedral is the 19th century gilded statue of the Virgin which surmounts the western tower. The mausoleum of Pope John XXII (1334) is one of the most beautiful works within the cathedral. During the 14th century this became the world’s most important church, home to seven different popes.

Notre-Dame des Doms Cathedral

Next to the Opera-Theatre on Place de l'Horloge (translated as "Clock Place") is the neo-classical town hall known as the Hôtel de Ville. As I told you earlier, only the 14th century clock tower remains from the original structure. The Gothic clock tower seen below, which gave the square its name, was incorporated later into the construction of the Hôtel de Ville.

14th century Bell Tower of the Hôtel de Ville is in the background

Street performers in front of the Popes' Palace

We had come to Avignon that morning primarily so Shirley and Stephanie could hit the stores. Since I didn't think the grandkids would enjoy that very much, Earl and I with kids in tow, headed for the Jardin des Doms.

A gentle five-minute stroll up a small hill from the cathedral, the Jardin des Doms offers a welcome refuge from Avignon's heat and bustle on a summer's day as well as panoramic views of the historical city, the Rhône River, Saint Bénézet Bridge, Villeneuve-lez-Avignon, Mont Ventoux and the surrounding countryside. It was fully landscaped as a public park in the 19th century.

View from Jardin des Doms to Villeneuve-lez-Avignon

The seven acre park is beautifully landscaped with shrubs and trees, statues of local notables and built around a pond which is home to ducks and geese. There are lots of benches, a picnic area and children's playgrounds.

Granddaughter Madison pulls Jilian in a pony cart, in the Jardin des Doms

Grandson Dylan in front of bust of Paul Sain, a French Painter born in Avignon

Fort Saint-André is a medieval fortress across the Rhône River from the Jardin des Doms that I told you about here in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, dating from the first half of the 14th century.

Fort Saint André across the Rhône River in Villeneuve-lez-Avignon

Many of you know the French children's song, "Sur le pont d'Avignon" (On the bridge of Avignon), which describes folk dancing. The bridge of the song is the Saint Bénézet Bridge over the Rhône River that we visited here.

The bridge was constructed between 1177 and 1185 with 22 arches and was 980 yards long. It was destroyed by Louis VIII of France during the siege of Avignon in 1226. It was rebuilt beginning in 1234. The bridge was only 16 feet wide, including the parapets at the sides. The arches were liable to collapse when the river flooded.

The bridge fell into disrepair during the 17th century. By 1644 the bridge was missing four arches and finally a catastrophic flood in 1669 swept away much of the structure. Since then, the surviving arches have successively collapsed or been demolished and only four arches remain.

View of Saint Bénézet Bridge from the Jardin des Doms

Madison and Dylan enjoy a teeter-totter in the Jardin des Doms

Rocher des Doms

In 1309 Avignon, still part of the Kingdom of Arles, was chosen by Pope Clement V as his residence at the time of the Council of Vienne and, from March 9, 1309 until January 13, 1377, Avignon rather than Rome was the seat of the Papacy. In all seven popes resided in Avignon.

The Campane Tower seen below is part of the Pope's Palace and served as a storeroom for arms and precious objects and housing for the night watchman and some members of the Pope's close entourage.

Palace of the Pope's Campane Tower

As we leave the Jardin des Doms to return to Place de l'Horloge, we retrace our steps down a little zigzag ramp and cross over in front of Notre Dame des Doms Cathedral.

Side view of Notre Dame des Doms Cathedral with the Campane Tower behind

Granddaughter Madison with the backdrop of Notre Dame des Doms Cathedral

Statue of Christ on the cross in front of Notre-Dame des Doms Cathedral

A side view of a statue of Christ on the cross in front of Notre Dame des Doms Cathedral

Avignon is well known for its Festival d'Avignon, the annual festival of theater and performing arts founded in 1947. There are really two festivals that take place: the more formal "Festival In", which presents plays inside the Palace of the Popes and the more Bohemian "Festival Off", known for its presentation of largely undiscovered plays and street performances.

Street performers

The 2017 Avignon Festival took place from July 6 to 26. Over 40 different plays are performed in more than twenty venues, from small, 150-seat chapels to the 2000-seat legendary Honor Courtyard in the Palace of the Popes. As you walk around Avignon, you see flyers promoting one of the plays or musical acts everywhere you go.

Promoting a show

We didn't realize that groups go around to the various squares where there are restaurants including Place du Cloître St Pierre where we were having lunch at Crêperie La Flourdiliz, promoting their upcoming programs.

We were happily surprised that one of the groups that came by to promote their show was Quatuor Leonis with our friend Guillaume Antonini. It would have been fun to attend their show, but it didn't start until 22h30 and that was way too late for our group.

Quatuor Leonis promoting their show

A theater group promoting their show

Street performer

Since we were with the grandkids, we dined at Crêperie La Flourdiliz, a Brettone crêperie near the Pope's Palace rather than one of the places we go regularly since we didn't think the grandkids would enjoy sitting through a multi-course meal. We were perfectly positioned to see the various acts come through the square and promote their shows.

The family dining at Crêperie La Flourdiliz while watching the various acts perform

Whether in Avignon with or without kids, Jardin des Doms is worthwhile to include on your visit to Avignon. Have you been to Jardin des Doms, please let me know what you think.

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

A visit with friends to the amazing Roman Pont du Gard

Our favorite Roman ruin in the South of France is the Pont du Gard, the aqueduct bridge that crosses the Gardon River in the Gard Department of Languedoc-Roussillon about 60 km (37 miles) from our home in Sablet, between Remoulins and Uzès.

The Pont du Gard is part of the 50 km (31 mile) Nîmes aqueduct constructed by the Romans in the 1st century between 41 and 54 AD to bring fresh water from a spring near Uzès, the Fontaine d'Eure, to the Roman city of Nîmes where it was distributed to fountains, baths and private homes around the city.

When we go, we park in the lot on the Rive Gauche - Left Bank which is the main entry and parking lot. The main visitor center is on this side, where you walk through to access the Pont du Gard. There is a small charge for parking and they have recently instituted a fee for visiting the Pont du Gard.

The visitors' center is where the ticket machines and information center are located. Here too are restrooms, snack bar, souvenir shops, book store and audio-guides for your visit (available in several languages).

It is a short walk from the visitors' center to the Pont du Gard. If you go, make sure you check out the construction, enjoy the view up or down the river valley, wander across to the far side, explore down along the river and climb up the steps to the upper trail where you have great views of the bridge and surrounding area.

View of Pont du Gard as you arrive from Visitor's Center

As you walk out to the Pont du Gard, make sure to look for the ancient olive tree on the Rive Gauche - Left Bank along the path to the Pont du Gard from the Visitor Center. The sign by the tree says it was born in 908 and lived in Spain till 1985 when the Counsel General of the Gard adopted the tree and planted it here in 1988

Ancient olive tree along path to Pont du Gard from Left Bank Visitor's Center

The Gardon River seen below gives its name to the Gard Department. Several of its tributaries are also called Gardon. The Gardon is 133 km long and flows into the Rhône River at Beaucaire, from where it flows into the Mediterranean Sea.

View south down the Gardon River from Pont du Gard

After the Roman Empire collapsed and the aqueduct fell into disuse, the Pont du Gard remained largely intact, due to the importance of its secondary function, as a toll bridge. For centuries the local lords and bishops were responsible for its upkeep, in exchange for the right to levy tolls on travelers crossing the river.

Pedestrian roadway at the base of the Pont du Gard

The Pont du Gard was built of soft-yellow limestone blocks taken from nearby Estel quarry that borders the Gardon river's left bank and assembled largely without mortar or clamps. The stones, some of which weigh up to 6 tons, were cut to perfectly fit together eliminating the need for mortar. The cut stone was lifted into place with a human-powered treadmill providing the power for the winch.

Pont du Gard from the upper trail

The straight-line distance between Nîmes and the water source is only about 20 km (12 mi). However due to uneven terrain, the mostly underground aqueduct takes a long, winding route measuring around 50 km (31 mi). The Romans had to build a bridge with a channel to allow water to flow across the Gardon River to successfully complete the aqueduct.

Channel on top of Pont du Gard that carried water across the Gardon River

The Aqueduct of Nîmes had the capacity to carry 35,000 cubic meters of water a day from the spring which was the source of fresh water for the city of Nîmes. It took nearly 27 hours for the water to get from the spring to Nîmes.

Some sections of the channel are tunneled through solid rock as you can see below. In all, 35 km (22 mi) of the aqueduct was constructed below the ground.

The entrance to the underground channel after the water crossed the Pont du Gard

The Pont du Gard has three tiers of arches; the bottom row has 6 arches of 22 m (72 ft) height; the middle row has 11 arches 20 m (66 ft) height; and the upper row has 35 (originally 47) arches of 7 m (23 ft) height. The width of the bridge varies from 9 m (30 ft) at the bottom to 3 m (9.8 ft) at the top. It has a length of 274 m (899 ft) and stands at a height of 48.8 m (160 ft).

View of Pont du Gard from upper trail

As I told you here, an excellent way to view the Pont du Gard from a completely different perspective is from a canoe on the Gardon River on a hot summer day. There are several canoe companies around Collias that will provide shuttle transport to your point of departure and from your point of arrival.

Shirley and neighbors at the Pont du Gard

The Pont du Gard is open all year round, though the restaurant and some indoor areas close for part of the winter. You can stay there after dark (exact closing times vary depending on the season), when the bridge is illuminated in summer.

View north up the Gardon River from the Pont du Gard with the 19th century watermill in the distance

Despite having been to the Pont du Gard quite a few times, Shirley and I are amazed anew each time by the sheer size of the bridge and how the Romans were able to design and build it without much more than math and manpower. It is believed to have taken about fifteen years to build, employing between 800 and 1,000 workers.

If you are in the area, we think this is one of the sites you must visit. Let us know what you think.

Friday, August 18, 2017

Watch Stage 19 of the 2017 Tour de France with us near Lauris France

As soon as Stephanie was denied boarding on the XL Airlines flight to Paris in July 2106, we decided right then to return to Sablet with she and her family in July 2017. I was happy when the route for the 2017 Tour de France was announced that a stage would pass relatively close to Sablet and we could include that among our activities.

Stage 19 was to take place on Friday, July 21. The riders would depart from Embrun, which sits at 2890 feet elevation and pedal 220 km, the longest stage on the 2017 Tour de France, to the finish in Salon-de-Provence, at 256 feet elevation.

In between, they had to ride up two King of the Mountain climbs within the first 43 km; Col de Lebraut, a 4.7 km climb at 6%, and Côte de Bréziers, a 2.3 km climb at 5.8%. The riders would then ride on rolling hill roads until they arrived at Col de Pointu, at km marker 171, a 5.8 km ascent of 4.1%. The last 45 km of stage 19 would be on descending roads to the finish in Salon-de-Provence.

Map of Stage 19 of the 2017 Tour de France

While we could have gone anywhere between Banon and Salon-de-Provence to watch the race very easily, we decided to go to Lauris, an ancient village about 5 km from Lourmarin, perched on a high ridge overlooking the Durance River Valley. The most dominant building is the large 18th-century chateau, with its hanging gardens at the top of the cliffs seen below.

Lauris chateau built in 1702

We figured it would be less crowded in Lauris than near the finish line in Salon-de-Provence and it would be relatively easy to meet up with cousins Jean-Marc and Christine who were driving from Montpellier to join us for the fun.

Sign announcing the road would be closed because of the Tour de France from 2 PM to 6 PM

After driving around the area to find good vantage spots, we positioned ourselves at the bottom of the road which descends from Lauris just before the roundabout where the riders would make a sharp turn right onto the D973 and head towards Mérindol.

Roundabout at the bottom of the hill after the descent from Lauris

After deciding where to position ourselves, we headed into Lauris to get food and refreshments to enjoy while we waited for the Tour de France caravan to arrive to our corner. The ladies jumped out and went into a pizzeria and emerged with several pizzas, two bottles of rosé wine, Evian water, bottle opener and glasses. We were all set.

Shirley and grandson Dylan

The caravan was scheduled to depart Embrun at 10:30 AM and travel 192 km before they got to our vantage point around 3:18 PM (15h18). We parked our van under trees which provided shade next to woods with wild prune trees and privacy for a "natural" porta potty.

Well it was a hot day, and the chilled rosé hit the spot so it didn't last very long. While scoping out our location, I noticed on the other side of the D973 was the "Cave de Lauris". So I crossed the highway and discovered a little shop selling chilled wine from Lauris. So I bought a couple of local rosés, added a chestnut leaf wrapped goat cheese from Banon and a packet of dry saucisson, perfect with the wine.

Shirley and granddaughter Jilian

The publicity caravan arrives below.

Vittel leads the publicity caravan

Tour de France car

The first cyclists arrive! But they are not professionals, nor do they have anything officially to do with the race. They are amateur or tourist cyclists who ride the Tour route, but start 5 hours before the actual race. Because the roads on which the riders travel are closed for cars hours before the race, these cyclists can ride the entire route in safety without any risk of being run down by traffic.

1st cyclists at the Tour de France

Tour de France car

The next group of cyclists to arrive are the "Juniors", a small group of cyclists less than 18 years of age who are preparing to move on to professional careers as Tour de France cyclists but have not reached the right age.

The “Junior” Tour de France

Daughter Stephanie with Dylan and Madison, all are proudly wearing their yellow hats

By now, we had heard several times from Jean-Marc saying they were in traffic. Finally, they called one last time to say they couldn't get close to where we were because of the wide radius of road closures and traffic and were turning around to go home.

Left to right Earl, Dylan, Stephanie, Madison, Shirley and Jilian

Many people come for the publicity caravan, not for the race. And that is because they get lots of free stuff. There are some 170 permanently decorated vehicles representing 35 brands. 600 people in these special vehicles hand out 18 million items to the public. The first publicity vehicle to arrive is one from LCL bank. The whole procession lasts 35 minutes and is 12 kilometers long.

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Skoda is not only a main sponsor, they also supply all the official cars for the Tour; officials, stewards, race control, etc.

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Rider in the Bic pen car throwing out pens

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan. Note all riders are belted to the vehicles for safety.

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

Sponsor car in the caravan

View from our position to the roundabout where the riders have to make a sharp right turn onto the D973

View to the roundabout where the riders make the sharp right turn

View from the roundabout down the D973

Tour de France official car

Team car

Team car

Kids patiently waiting for the riders to reach our vantage point

The first of five TV helicopters has arrived. The helicopters follow the race really close, so you know the riders are about to arrive.

First TV helicopter on the Tour de France to arrive in sight

On July 1, 198 riders comprising 22 teams with 9 riders each, departed Düsseldorf, Germany for an individual time trial on the 1st of 21 stages over 23 days that would ultimately take the riders 3,540 km before the race concluded on the Champs-Élysées in Paris on July 23.

Riders in the breakaway group approach our vantage point

The breakaway riders are led by a ŠKODA Superb painted "Corrida Red" which serves as Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme's technologically modified mobile control center from which he manages the Tour. It’s from here he also entertains dignitaries such as the French President, ready to serve them chilled champagne from the minibar and provide them panoramic views through the car’s retractable glass roof.

Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme's mobile control center

The 169 riders still in the race had departed from Embrun at 12h15 and the breakaway group arrived at our vantage point below Lauris shortly before 17h00.

Here they come!

The breakaway is a rider or group of riders who have pulled ahead and put some distance from the peloton.

A member of Team FDJ sponsored by the French national lottery leads the breakaway riders at our vantage point

Breakaway riders

Breakaway riders

Breakaway riders

Breakaway riders

Breakaway riders

Breakaway riders

Last of the breakaway riders

The last breakaway rider followed by a motorcycle journalist

Motorcycle journalist

The 4 other TV helicopters approach

Here comes the main group of riders

Team Sky leads the way down the hill from Lauris

Team Sky

Team Sky

Team Sky members escort their teammate Chris Froome wearing the yellow jersey

The yellow jersey is worn during the race by the cyclist who has completed the previous stages of the Tour in the least amount of time. The coveted jersey is given to the winner at the end of the Tour de France on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

Chris Froome in the yellow jersey reaches our vantage point

The peloton is where the main group of riders stay during the race.

The peloton

Some of Team AG2R La Mondiale

The peloton

The peloton

Team AG2R La Mondiale

The peloton

The peloton

Cannondale Drapac Professional Cycling Team in green jerseys

Cannondale Drapac Professional Cycling Team in green jerseys

The peloton

The peloton

Some members of the Astana Pro Team in light blue jerseys followed by members of the Quick Step Team

Members of the Quick Step Team

The peloton

The peloton

The mountains classification is a secondary competition in the Tour de France. A polka-dot jersey is given to the rider that gains the most points for reaching mountain summits first. The leader of the classification is named the King of the Mountains, and wears a white jersey with red polka dots.

Warren Barguil of Team Sunweb wears the polka-dot jersey at the front

The Cofidis, Solutions Credit Team wear the red jerseys 

The peloton

The peloton

The peloton

The peloton

The peloton

The peloton

The peloton

The peloton

Team car

Team car

Team car

Team car

The end of the peloton

After they passed our vantage point on the roundabout, the riders had another 30 km to peddle before they got to the finish line in Salon-de-Provence. Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen rode to victory on the right side of a roundabout with 2.8km to go and crossed the finish line in 05h 06' 09''.

Chris Froome of Great Britain retained the yellow jersey as he finished in a group more than ten minutes behind the stage 19 winner. He would keep the yellow jersey until the finish in Paris.