Provence - Pont du Gard

An easy train trip from Paris to Avignon, collected our car, out came the sat nav and ... oops - somehow in the journey i must have lent o the bag and cracked the screen of our new Garmin which we were relying on... On with the show we found our way to our B&B at Pont du Gard using an avis map and well marked signs.

Straight to the pool set amongst the beautiful landscape to refresh before a meal and bed.

Woke with a relaxed breakfast (it was so nice not to organise and have to clean up for a change), before walking up the road to the Pont du Gard a 50km aquaduct built by the romans in first centuray (100 AD).  Whan an amazing historic view.

We then took a short drive to Castillon du Gard walked the quiet streets and had lunch (although the kids were tired and ratty), so a rash decision to head for a longer drive to allow the kids to have a sleep... so we headed to Nimes.

Nimes was a beautiful town with some unexpected attractions including the collesium - which was currently holding the Nimes music festival (what a line up).  A pleasant afternoon having ice cream sundaes and milkshakes listening to the warmup music in the sun with the collesium back drop.

Early picnic dinner at our private river bank beach.

The next morning we set off to Uzes on the way stopping off at Haribo  Bon Bon (lollies) museum for the kids.

Uzes is renowned for its markets.  We decided to miss the chaos of the main Saturday market and visit the smaller Friday market mentioned in the tourist information ... oops this was actually 5km out of Uzes which we didnt find out until we were in the town.  We still enjoyed walking through the quaint fortress town and having lunch in the main piazza.

Returning late afternoon for a pool swim before heading back to Pont du Gard for a picnic dinner on the 'Rendez Vous' river bank.  The kids loved throwing rocks into the water with daddy and exploring in the shallows, while Noah and I watched from our pontoon with the magnificent scenic backdrop of the Pont du Gad bridge - C'est la Vie

We were heading to Mount Ventoux (most of you will know this from previous tour de france courses) - on that note HOW GOOD IS CADEL :).  Although no map in tow so dropped into Avignon to pick one up... in the process got lost and had another lovely walk through the crazy town as we were in amongst their arts/theatre festival.

The journey continued as we summitted Mount Ventoux..................................... with spectacular views.

On the way home we stopped into one of France's top 100 (belle ville) most beautiful villages - Seguret. Lunch overlooking vinyards before cruising teh pebbled lined streets.  We purchases a beautiful handmade christmas fairy to become part of or annual christmas tree display for the top.  Our challenge is now getting the delicate angel home.

Back to our abode for another picnic on the river before packing to make our journey to the alps tomorrow.

A milestone for the minnsmob is that Noah has crawled a little, however spends more time in down face dog growling rather than moving.

A plus tard

MinnsMob

Coming Up: Chamonix for a week :)