ARLES AND LES BAUX

April 24, 2007

Everyone was really good about getting up and ready promptly this morning and we got an early start towards Arles.  It was another beautiful, sunny, warm day.

On the way we decided to stop at Les Baux.  This is a medieval fortress town perched atop a rocky cliff and has been very well preserved.  As usual, Don and I split off from the ladies because they like to visit the tourist shops in the villages and we set up a time to meet back at the car.

We strolled through the village while I admired the colorful regional tablecloths displayed in the cute shops.  At the end of the street we came to the entrance to the fortress.  This turned out to be a very interesting walking tour that continued up the mountain with descriptions and audio guide of the history of the Lords of Les Baux, the fortress layout, huge siege weaponry displays, interesting cistern and water collection systems, uses of various buildings and rooms, and everyday life at the castle.  We learned about battering rams, huge logs hung on chains and supported by a large frame on wheels, and a giant catapult.  From the top of the hill we had wonderful vistas of the Provence countryside. 

At the time we were all supposed to meet at the car Don and I were at the top of the fortress lookout and we could look down to the parking lot and see the gals obediently waiting for us at the car, so we waved and shouted and told them to come up into the fortress and take the tour.  A visit here is highly recommended.

We drove around the corner to a place to park and have our picnic lunch before heading back down the hill to Arles where we visited the Roman amphitheater and coliseum.  Don and I strolled through the town and visited Espace Van Gogh, where he was hospitalized in his final days, and then we went to the famous café of his painting, Café de la Nuit.  There we had a coke and a Perrier for $15, but it was fun to sit in the square, sip our drinks and people watch while we cooled off.

We all met back at the car for the trip back to Eoures.

That evening as we enjoyed our fancy desserts from the patisserie Cheryl, Susie and Marilyn presented me with a thank you gift for cooking the meals.  It was the very tablecloth I had admired at Les Baux--a colorful bright yellow with a design of olives and wheat sheaves.  Napkins and some cute ceramic clamps to hold the cloth in the breeze were included.  What a perfect gift.  I love it!