Sur le pont d'Avignon l'on y danse, l'on y danse...

After a rainy Northern French summer we decided to go to the Provence region in search of the sun. Arriving late at night in Avignon and staying near the train station we had a full day the next morning and set out in our rental car. We went to Châteauneuf du Pape to sample the renowned wine of the Cotes de Rhone region and see the crumbling chateau.

In the afternoon we had a picnic at the Pont du Gard; an amazing architectural feat from Roman times that brought fresh water to the city of Nimes at a constant decline of 2.5cm.  The rest of our afternoon was spent lounging by the pool at the hotel before going to the small artisanal town of Saint Rémy. 

The next day we woke up early to go to Les Baux de Provence.  The old walled city and the castle ruins are located high on the rocky outcroppings of the Alpilles Mountains. The castle ruins are now somewhat like an open-air museum, but with an amazing view. 

Giving the Crossbow a go at the chateau of Les Baux de Provence

That afternoon we went olive oil tasting at Castalas, an olive tree farm and mill. 

We ended our day at the beach along the Mediterranean. This beach was like no other Mediterranean beach; we had to drive half an hour through flat Camargue marshlands before arriving at this sprawling sandy coastline filled with tent and cabin trailers.

The next morning we went to the Saint Rémy market before going to see the famous Pont d’Avignon concluding our summer vacay in Provence.

Oh Canada!

Don't forget Marley!!

Well it has been a very very long time since I wrote a blog post. We did in fact go back to Canada this summer. We took two weeks off to spend with family and friends, and of course to celebrate Andre’s sister’s wedding! We had a wonderful time, it was so good to be back, and our friends and family certainly showed us what were missing!!

We went to Arden for the 100th anniversary....

Team Andre and Christi, we lost as I'm sure you can tell from my awkward throw pictured below....

And then came their big day!!

Getting the Salon ready for the Wedding Party

 And the big moment...

After the wedding rush we snuck off to Kenebeck....

BISOUS!!

Châteaux et une maison bien connue...

The next day we visited three Chateau. The first was the Chateau d'Amboise. Within the Chateau's fortified walls lies the Chapel of Saint Hubert, housing the tomb of Leonardo Da Vinci. From there along the terraces, a panoramic view overlooks the Loire Valley, and the old buildings of the village built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The Chateau that remains is only one fifth of the original palace built by Charles VIII.

After the castle of Amboise, we visited the Chateau Clos Luce, the last home of Leonardo Da Vinci. In the castle and surrounding the park they rebuilt some of the machines from drawings by Da Vinci.
















We ended our day at the Chateau Chenonceau. The castle is surrounded by magnificent gardens and the river Cher. It was a beautiful day and the end of our little vacation.


The next day we left the Loire Valley. On our trip home we took a detour to see Monet's house. It was a dream for me, I have always wanted to go...