The 'big' Rugby poster in Aix En Provence
The Rotunda fountain. Its construction in 1860 marks a turning point; not only are its dimensions exceptional for this city but it is also the first to have a fonted basin. Three statues: Justice, Agriculture and Fine Arts adorn the fountain and recall the main activities of this town. In effect the fountain was a symbolic mark of the entry to the modern town, without rampart nor gate, open to the world. Aix has grown now and today the "great Fountain" is at the centre of the town. Aix En was built and developed on two identies, water and art. A lot of the paintings and sculptures and city sights are related to both. There are a total of 40 public fountains in this smallish village..... you can tell I am a pushover tourist :-)
Situated in the heart of the Mazarin quarter, this fountain dates from 1667. By the sculptor Jean-Claude Rambot, it flows into a circular basin of Sainte Baume stone. With its four dolphins and their raised flippers on a bed of waves which support the obelisk, it is an example of the baroque art so prized by the Aixoise nobility.
Just another medieval Church up a narrow street on the Cezanne walk in Aix En.
The Ardeche Gorge.. and an old stone barn on a vineyard which went for miles and miles.. couldn't resist the picture
And inside the Church... they are all so beautiful inside.. we just dont have churches like this in New Zealand.
The fort in the historic centre of St Montan on the main Ardeche Gorge road north.
Not sure this was the effect I was looking for but its the view at night from my hotel window. You could see the clocktower from the ancient tower very clearly although the trees which were covering the bottom half of the window haven't done much for the effect.
The water is hundreds of feet below.. another picture that didnt quite get the desired effect.
This one is a bit better.. see the river below and the mountains above.. just amazing scenery.
The natural bridge over the river. This was not man made but has just evolved in the rocks over time.
Signs signs signs.. I liked this one basically its advising you to lock your car when you get out for the amazing views
The clocktower in the Ancient town during the day. You can tell its the same one in the night picture and the medieval town in the background all in St Montan.
Another part of the old town in St Montan.It was time to leave Avignon and drive back to pick up Molly from the Dr's.. and fixed she was although we were very lucky. Just as we pulled off the motorway at Orange and into the VW Dealers the linkages went again but luck was on our side this time and we coasted some of the way around the intersection and discovered we had 3rd and 4th gear for the next 200metres. All was well, we picked her up and drove off on more adventures.
Next stop was up to Vaucluse, Facon to be exact and pick up Barry from his cycling adventure and then drove west to the Ardeche Gorge. This gorge was just amazing with a natural bridge over the river which has evolved over years. A very unspoilt area visited mainly by the more athletic or adventurous of travellers as its full of kyakers and bikers as the terrain is rugged.
The Adesche Gorge and the town of St Montan not sure why we chose that town but it did have two Patisseries, four bars, several restaurants, a medieval town with a fortress AND a very cheap hotel!
It all started several millions of years ago. The spirited river Ardèche cuts tirelessly through the limestone, opening an immense gorge, a veritable canyon. The pause in this masterpiece, the famous natural arch of the Pont d'Arc, 66 meters high, triumphal entrance to the gorges classed Natural Reserve since 1980. A geological perfection that already our ancestors in the Paleolithic age admired.
The Luberon area of Provence is pretty much in keeping with the traditional terrain of tuscany and while beautiful was nothing out of the ordinary. Isn't it terrible when after 4 months of travelling this type of beauty fails to impress as it did in the early days.
Aix En Provence was our last port of call in Provence and the home of Cezanne. We walked in the footsteps of Cezanne (well it was hard not to as they imprinted in brass along most of the streets) and we even saw some big Rugby World Cup posters... oh yes that reminds me.. the first All Black game is in Marseilles in 2 days time.
