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Published: August 26th 2016
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Two days in Avignon
Day One, a Strategic decision, decided to leave Avignon until we were more jaded and head further afield.
Montpellier looked good so off we set by train. Easy uneventful trip about 1 hr. We arrived about 11:00am by which time heat was starting to penetrate. First off was a little “Montpellier Little Train” tour of the main sites of the downtown area including the vegie & flower market, Promenade du Peyroux (with Arc de Triomphe) , Order des Advocats, Palais de Justice, Esplanade Charles de Gaulle, x churches and, y palaces. We finished the little tour of the key highlights of the town and decided to wander at our own pace, appreciating the very beautiful old French Louis XIV architecture. Feeling a little peckish we a came across a New York Bagel Store. Great choice, absolutely delish. (“the best bagel I’ve ever tasted” said himself). We continued to wander around in the shade of the alley ways looking at all the sites…... Nek minit we found ourselves outside the wall on a main road in the beating sun. Totally disorientated and now some 35o, himself was reduced to using his one word of French
with the kebab shop owner and his map app to get us back on track while I sat in the only little bit of shade I could find. The heat is now starting to affect the brain function. Finish the wander and head to the train station for the return trip. Now at the end of a very hot trip dreaming of my bath, for some reason known only to himself (whom I always follow without question) decides we have reached our destination, Avignon, and we bustle to alight. On emerging into the harsh light of the day we find ourselves one station too early (Tarascon). At last some provincial culture. Next train in one hour… nothing to do in this sleepy little village but head to the local bar for a beer. The local publican seems very happy to see us. Late back to our hotel a bath and refresh…too buggered to venture further than the square outside our hotel again
Day two not to be discouraged, back to the railway station and off to
Arles. Not so far this time. As soon as we enter the old city the Roman Arena is visible looking over
most of the town. Built by the Romans in the 1
st and 2
nd century. I retired to the coffee shop in the shade for a Café au lait while himself went for a closer look. After his coffee we meandered through the village to the Van Gough museum. We viewed several Van Gough works and listened to a audio guide giving a good overview of his life and the works we were looking at. On the way back we stopped for Tapas and Paella, the second Spanish meal while away and nowhere near Spain. Again by the time we got back looking to get out of the heat. Another day of 35 degrees……
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