Doors of Provence

A handle.

In Summary

When I awoke to the songs of foreign birds that first morning in Cabrieres d'Avignon, I knew I was no longer in South Carolina. The trip was working out as planned, and that I found amazing.

Adrenaline got me to my first stop, the lovely old town of Avignon. At the TGV station the next day we met our magnificent hostess and fearless leader Judi, who had the week in Provence well planned.

The villa, a lovely private home on lease to us that week, was our base. Judi and Rich had rented two vans, and each day the eleven of us piled in them and we drove through the Luberon Valley and up winding roads to some beautiful, fascinating or richly historical destination: L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Arles, St. Remy, Les Baux, L'Abbaye de Senanque, Gordes, Bonnieux, Roussillon, markets and vineyards. Today I was in Marshall's looking over the framed pictures, and there was a print of rural Provence, a square cream colored home on rolling green land flanked by tall cypress trees. I thought...I was there!

As the days passed, I started to view my trip as an art excursion. After all, I was once an art major and did a little painting, too. Not only did I see lands whose artists renderings dress the walls of homes and offices, but I saw art everywhere, in shapes and angles and hues and light. It was paradise for anyone who had any sort of inclination in visual arts. I don't want to admit to how many photographs I took with my trusty little Canon, but it was not too many. Each one has been enjoyed many times over and has made me see what I could not grasp in such a short time.

When the week there was over, The TGV sped me up to Paris. Yes Paris! Finally I got to Paris! It was even lovelier than I had imagined, but if I could use only one word to describe it, that word would be civilized.

I have been asked many times since I have returned, "How was the food?" It was marvelous! The French know how to prepare, present, and enjoy their meals. I saw tall bunches of fresh herbs sticking out of vases and pots in the kitchens of the restaurants. Especially delicious were the wines, coffee, and breads.

Of course it would take so much more time than I had to see all the beauty that is France, but I am satisfied with my sampling. What a wonderful experience.

Scenes of Avignon from May 31, 2008

Interestingly: Wikipedia says that Avignon has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The huge gothic fortress Palais du Papes was built in the 1300s. I read that it remains the most secure building in the world. The St. Benezet Bridge is about half and half over the road and the Rhone River. Avignon seems to be a lively arty place.

A Very Old Plane Tree

There were many beautiful, mature plane trees in Avignon but this one, probably the oldest I saw, was near the source of the Sorgue. They have a patchy, multicolored bark.

Where do these steps go?

What three of us had at lunch one day

This was mine, a wonderful salad of mixed greens and roasted veggies with hummus, and that is a small bowl of a creamy gazpacho in the upper right corner of the plate. I wish I could remember what the beef and chicken dishes were.

Which way to the Louvre?

It's only a little true about the dogs

The ones I saw in the markets and restaurants were dignified like their owners. They must do their scratching, licking and jumping in private.

Those Parisian pigeons are such birds!

Goodies in the market at Gordes

Naturellement. A madeleine with cafe.

Churches

St. Remy
The new church in Bonnieux.
The 12th century church in Arles, Eglise St. Trophime.
The colorful interior of the church at Gordes.
From the color, it must be in Roussillon.
Inside the Abbey

Cheese and meat in the markets

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In a patisserie window

Pizza and Panini

What to do around the Eiffel Tower

Paparazzi at work.