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Monday, September 20, 2010
Sur le pont d'Avignon
Monday morning in Avignon, the sun is rising over the Place Centre Ville where we sat until midnight sharing wine and laughter after another wonderful dinner. Today we toured the most famous sights of Avignon and learned more about the storied history of this very unique city. We started our tour by heading for the Palais des Papes... Popes lived in Avignon during the 14th century and the region did not officially become part of France until 1792. The architecture in the Place des Papes is stunning. We made our way down the outer wall of the city and ended up at the famous Pont D'Avignon - every school child knows the song - Sur le Pont d'Avignon, on y dance, on y dance - so of course once we were all on top of the bridge, we had to dance and sing a verse. Lots of tourists there who were quite bemused by our antics - pictures to come.
The bridge is unique because it no longer goes anywhere. It was washed partially away many times over the centuries and they finally gave up repairing it in 1630 - so we now have a half bridge - but a great tourist attraction! It was built in the 14th century by a man receiving a vision - and was completed within 8 years - quite a feat for the time.
This afternoon the group split up - some to shop, some to sit and enjoy another wonderful lunch - with of course more wine. There is so much to see and enjoy here - luckily we have a few more days to explore.
The bridge is unique because it no longer goes anywhere. It was washed partially away many times over the centuries and they finally gave up repairing it in 1630 - so we now have a half bridge - but a great tourist attraction! It was built in the 14th century by a man receiving a vision - and was completed within 8 years - quite a feat for the time.
This afternoon the group split up - some to shop, some to sit and enjoy another wonderful lunch - with of course more wine. There is so much to see and enjoy here - luckily we have a few more days to explore.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
What a day we had! We started off with a great breakfast and to celebrate the birthday girls' special day by crowning them Queen for the Day with a tiara and a special birthday button. It is a Dutch tradition to decorate the birthday person's chair, so we did that too!
We walked to our bus but made a quick stop to take photos of the famous Pont d'Avignon over the Rhone river. We will have to dance on it later this week..
Avignon is a walled city and they actually closed it in 2002 for the first time since the Middle Ages - to keep the water out!
The Mistral was blowing hard. It can go up to 130 kms/hr and blow 260 days out of the year. The advantage is that it blows away all the clouds, so we had a beautiful sunny day.
There are 22 regions in France and we visited Languedoc and the Provence today.
We discovered the limestone peaks and roads lined with pine and cypress trees, olive orchards and vineyards. We investigated the castle ruins at the medieval village of Les Beaux perched high on a rocky plateau. It was beautiful and windy!
Afterwards we visited the olive oil mill "Le Mas des Barres" where we tasted delicious olive oil and were told how the olive extraction process works.
There are 60 different types of olive oil. Who knew?
It was very interesting and we finished our visit in the shop - of course! We also picked some fresh figs off the trees. It doesn't get much better than that!
The birthday girls were given some handcream as a present. How special.
Our next stop was to visit the Insane Asylum, Saint Paul de Mausole. No, we didn't leave anyone behind. It was just to see the mental hospital where Vincent van Gogh was treated.
He painted over 350 paintings while he was there which represents 95% of his total work.
It was fascinating to see where he painted and to recognize some of the scenery from his paintings. I taught our guide, Valerie, how to pronounce Vincent van Gogh's name properly - with the deep Dutch gutteral sound :-)
We made quick stop in the town of Saint Remy. It was lovely and I'd like to go back there some time on a Wednesday when they have their local market.
It was a great day and much fun was had by all and many beautiful souvenirs were purchased by all.
Dinner tonight is at 8:00 pm at Restaurant Piedoie with a pink shrimp grapefruit appetizer and saddle of rabbit stuffed and roasted wih creamy polenta as the main course. We will drink lots of wine, and finish with homemade nougat and red fruit coulis. Delicieuse!
Nougat is made with egg whites, almonds and honey.
We walked to our bus but made a quick stop to take photos of the famous Pont d'Avignon over the Rhone river. We will have to dance on it later this week..
Avignon is a walled city and they actually closed it in 2002 for the first time since the Middle Ages - to keep the water out!
The Mistral was blowing hard. It can go up to 130 kms/hr and blow 260 days out of the year. The advantage is that it blows away all the clouds, so we had a beautiful sunny day.
There are 22 regions in France and we visited Languedoc and the Provence today.
We discovered the limestone peaks and roads lined with pine and cypress trees, olive orchards and vineyards. We investigated the castle ruins at the medieval village of Les Beaux perched high on a rocky plateau. It was beautiful and windy!
Afterwards we visited the olive oil mill "Le Mas des Barres" where we tasted delicious olive oil and were told how the olive extraction process works.
There are 60 different types of olive oil. Who knew?
It was very interesting and we finished our visit in the shop - of course! We also picked some fresh figs off the trees. It doesn't get much better than that!
The birthday girls were given some handcream as a present. How special.
Our next stop was to visit the Insane Asylum, Saint Paul de Mausole. No, we didn't leave anyone behind. It was just to see the mental hospital where Vincent van Gogh was treated.
He painted over 350 paintings while he was there which represents 95% of his total work.
It was fascinating to see where he painted and to recognize some of the scenery from his paintings. I taught our guide, Valerie, how to pronounce Vincent van Gogh's name properly - with the deep Dutch gutteral sound :-)
We made quick stop in the town of Saint Remy. It was lovely and I'd like to go back there some time on a Wednesday when they have their local market.
It was a great day and much fun was had by all and many beautiful souvenirs were purchased by all.
Dinner tonight is at 8:00 pm at Restaurant Piedoie with a pink shrimp grapefruit appetizer and saddle of rabbit stuffed and roasted wih creamy polenta as the main course. We will drink lots of wine, and finish with homemade nougat and red fruit coulis. Delicieuse!
Nougat is made with egg whites, almonds and honey.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Safe arrival in Avignon
The ladies arrived safely! Flight from Toronto was delayed but they still had enough time to make the connection in Paris for their flight to Marseille.
Our tour guide, Laurence, was there to meet them and they all arrived at the hotel for 1:45 pm local time. Ready to have fun!
Not all rooms were ready yet, so some ladies decided to go shopping and/or have lunch and enjoy a glass of wine or two.
This is a Heritage weekend in Avignon and there was lots of entertainment, many weddings, great singing and dancing and beautiul people in local costumes.
What a wonderful and entertaining welcome for us. Bienvenue a Avignon.
We met an hour before dinner for a welcome session and a glass of champagne.
When in France - etc etc! Everyone is getting to know each other already.
We walked to the restaurant at 8:00 pm and had a fabulous meal, starting with a goat cheese pate and salad, followed by canard - duck with a delicisous carrot souffle, vegetables and rice. It was topped by the best dessert I have had in years! A lava cake with almond ice cream and raspeberry coulis.
Is your mouth watering yet? We had more wine and talked and talked and had fun.
It was a great start to our trip and it will be a hard act to follow!
Breakfast tomorrow at 8:30am. I will be going down early to the restaurant to decorate because two of our travellers are celebrating their birthdays tomorrow!
How special!
Off to bed now. I struggled trying to download some photos, but had no success. We will try tomorrow agai.
The weather was a little cool for this time of the year but the forecast is calling for better and warmer weather tomorrow. Hurray!
No worries - everyone is happy and safe and having a good time.
TTYL !!
Nanette
Our tour guide, Laurence, was there to meet them and they all arrived at the hotel for 1:45 pm local time. Ready to have fun!
Not all rooms were ready yet, so some ladies decided to go shopping and/or have lunch and enjoy a glass of wine or two.
This is a Heritage weekend in Avignon and there was lots of entertainment, many weddings, great singing and dancing and beautiul people in local costumes.
What a wonderful and entertaining welcome for us. Bienvenue a Avignon.
We met an hour before dinner for a welcome session and a glass of champagne.
When in France - etc etc! Everyone is getting to know each other already.
We walked to the restaurant at 8:00 pm and had a fabulous meal, starting with a goat cheese pate and salad, followed by canard - duck with a delicisous carrot souffle, vegetables and rice. It was topped by the best dessert I have had in years! A lava cake with almond ice cream and raspeberry coulis.
Is your mouth watering yet? We had more wine and talked and talked and had fun.
It was a great start to our trip and it will be a hard act to follow!
Breakfast tomorrow at 8:30am. I will be going down early to the restaurant to decorate because two of our travellers are celebrating their birthdays tomorrow!
How special!
Off to bed now. I struggled trying to download some photos, but had no success. We will try tomorrow agai.
The weather was a little cool for this time of the year but the forecast is calling for better and warmer weather tomorrow. Hurray!
No worries - everyone is happy and safe and having a good time.
TTYL !!
Nanette
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
September 6, 2010
Hi 'Promenade en Provence' Ladies:
I am off to Holland on Thursday, but can't wait to see you all in Avignon on the 18th.
Only 11 more sleeps till you get to leave on your trip. Hope you're getting excited.
Best wishes for a 'Bon Voyage'. We will have so much fun together!
Au revoir,
Nanette Snel, your Tour Leader :-)
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Its almost time for the butterflies to take flight. Their journey will take them to Provence, France. Follow their story as they explore quaint villages, taste fine wines and learn to cook with a master chef.
Promenade en Provence & Paris - Sept. 17 to 24th.
www,.womenstravelnetwork.ca/promenade-en-provence/
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