PROVENCE-ALPES-CÔTE D'AZURE
This region has the following Departments: (4) Alpes de Haute Provence, (5) Hautes Alpes, (6) Alpes Maritimes, (13) Bouches du Rhône, (84) Vaucluse and (83) Var. You will see these Departments and their Department Numbers often referenced in travel guides such as those by Michelin.
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
This is a very popular site in France, worth a detour as they say in the Michelin books. Well, I am not sure what we were expecting, but it was not what we found.
The Fontaine de Vaucluse is where a subterranean river, one that drains the water from the linestone plateaux of the Vaucluse comes out of the ground.
We were there when there was little activity, in terms of water. A pool of water is before us. Well actually it is a pool of water being filled by this underground spring/water system. It is actually one of the most powerful springs in the world. How deep is the pool? We were told that in 1985 they sent a small robot submarine down 315 meters and it still did not find the bottom.
Gordes
Gordes is located about 38 km from Avignon.
We had this on a list of places to see for some time. Perched on the edge of the Plateau de Vaucluse its stone stark buildings say you are in the inland of Provence. Like most small towns, there are cobbled stone streets, narrow passageways, and the streets and roadway wind their way to the top there there is a church and a castle.
The castle has been restored. IT was rebuilt back in 1525 and some of the features of note include an impressive renaaissance-styled staircase and ornate fireplace.
The homes are made from white stone and they have been very carefully restored.
The town has a starkness about it, but at the same time there are interesting arches and doorways to keep most photographers happy. Some of the travel books refer to this as the most visited of the villages in this area. It is one of the "Plus Beaux Villages de France" so it is on the list to see!
But don't rush to get the village. Take your time as it is most impressive to see from the distance. The views of Gordes on the approach really bring out the hill and stark look of the village.
From the town there is an incredible view out to the valley and the mountains of the Luberon.
The Abbaye de Sénanque is only 4 km from here, that that was part of our Cloisters Tour and well worth a vist.
Grasse
Located about 15 km from Cannes, a visit to this town makes a nice day trip when you are staying along the coast and need a break from the scene.
Built on the slopes and up the hill, the narrow streets seem to wind and wnd up towards the upper levels of the town. There are plenty of 17th and 18th century buildings that make up the visual look of the town. There are losts of arched tunnels to walk through.
Near the top is the main square, Place aux Aires. You will find the classic fountain in the middle and then arcaded passage ways on one side.
Somewhere down in the old village a narrow street comes out onto the Place du Petit Puy. There is the 10-11th-century Notre Dame du Puy cathedral. It was rebuilt in the 17th century. Of note, inside are three paintings by Rubens. There's also the 1754 painting Christ Washing the Feet of the Apostles by Jean-Honoré Fragonard.
Persons of note have stayed here. They include Napoléon's sister, Princess Pauline who stayed in Grasse in 1807 to gain back her mental and physical strength. Queen Victoria also spent vacations here staying at the Rothschild's and the Grand Hotel — so you are in good company!.
Grasse is about perfume. The industry started here in the 16th century. There are tours of the perfume factories and we found the tour we took to be interesting, especially when you get the idea of the number of petals required to make perfume.
The tourist office offers a walk tour that lasts about one and a half hours.
Nice
Mention the Rivera and you will be asked if your are staying in Nice. I remember enjoying the town from my first tours of France as a single person. I think the night life and the activity along the pedestrian streets to be quite the attraction.
Early trips would involve taking the TGV from Paris to Nice and in about six hours - there, Paris in the morning. the Cote d'Azure in the early evening. What a life!
In later years Karen and I would fly into Nice as Air Canada had direct flights to Nice so it was a very handy landing point. We still find it a handy place to pick up our car and head out to places in France or Italy. Despite being the 5th largest city in France I think it is a very easy airport to land, get a car and get going... but spend some time in Nice, or up in St. Paul de Vence.
Now Nice is a place we visit when we are in the area, or it is an arrive and departure destination. We tend to stay up in St. Paul de Vence and then come down into Nice for some nighlife or shopping.
Don't go to Nice for the beach, unless you just want to walk the promenande and people watch. The beach has no sand but rather made up of small pebbles that are foot killers.
The Promenade des Anglais along the beach is actually quite the site. We have enjoyed going into old nice in the morning for the great flower market.
The buildings have the flair of Paris with the Belle Epoque style or the Baroque influenced houses.
Old Nice has great charm, just enjoy your walk and being in the city. There are plenty of restaurants to choose and even though the Rue Masséna may hit you as a tourist trap, don't be fooled. Some of the restaurants cook up great meals. Boccaccio at 7 rue Masséna earned its two Michelin Forks and we have enjoyed both lunches and dinner there.
Orange
Orange is located 31 kim from Avignon. We have enjoyed visiting this town.
I had read about the Roman Theatre and was thinking that the theatre may be something like a coliseum - similar to the what is in Arles.
But the theatre in Orange is a theatre that was used to stage plays. The Théâtre Antique and the Arc de Triomphe are two of the largest Roman structures standing in in Western Europe and worth seeing.
The stage wall, seen in the photo at the right, is the only complete Roman Theatre stage wall left inthe world and is classified as the 9th momument in the world. So don't miss it!
The theatre was built in pre-christian times, with the rise of Christianity, the theatre was ordered closed after the fall of Rome. In fact, it stood idle for years.
Then the town of Orange was invaded and the theatre was sacked and burned.
During Medieval times it became its own fortified town with houses and streets. Later during the French Revolution it was converted into a prison. Then, thankfully for us today, in the 1800's, while it was still serving as a prison, efforts were made to reconstruct what could be back to its status as theatre.
From taking our tour we found our some of the history and character of a Roman Theatre. The productions would have lasted an entire day. The original theatre also had a retractable canvas roof. It was built into the side of a hill, and the hill forms the nature slope for the rows of seats to rise from ground level to a significant height. I was impressed and glad we spent some time here.
The other significant Roman structure is the Arch de Triomphe. The Arch was built around 20 BC. Get up close as the structure is covered with intricate frieze and relief work.
The Arch was originally built by the Romans to celebrate their victories against the Gauls. When it was first built, it was well outside the walls of the town. Today, it sits in a traffic circle. I guess is it is okay to have a famous Arch in Paris be in a traffic circule, then what is so wrong with leaving this as is. But, despite its location, it still stands a regal as ever.