Au revoir France

It’s always a bittersweet day to be leaving somewhere that you’ve had such a fantastic, chilled time. Also both Kylie and I had finally got the bugs out of the hire car (some auto correct steering function that bugged the both of us! We figured out how to turn it off in the last 36 hours….boo!), as well as how to cope with driving on the right hand side of the road!

Final good byes to Bonnieux

We finally hiked up to the “Old Church” in Bonnieux, it’s the highest point in the village and it has its origins in the 10th century. The “new church” was built in the 18th century and is lower down (read easier to get to). I’m sure there was controversy in the building of a new church!!

Today was about wending our way around to the Pont du Guard and then finally back around to Marseilles to catch our flights home. Prior to this however, we needed to return bottle opener and wine cooler to our lovely shop friends next door. They were so friendly and helpful (maybe because we purchased well in their shop), or maybe just because they were lovely people!! So if you are ever in Bonnieux and need accom, hit me up, they have some lovely apartments, with spectacular views!

A mill town along the way, the water was SO clear and clean looking!

We stopped in Avignon for lunch on our way through to the Pont. Avignon was the busiest place in Provence that we went through. The town began to really form in the 4th and 5th centuries, set on the Rhône River. From 1309 to 1377, it was the seat of the Catholic popes. It remained under papal rule until becoming part of France in 1791.

I feel that we could have spent a few days here, mind you it was the type of “big” tourism that we had successfully avoided thus far. A quick lunch stop was good!

Palais des Papes, Avignon

Pont du Avignon

LUNCH!

Now rehydrated and fed, we continued on to the Pont du Gard, a famous Roman aqueduct, it’s construction began the first century and is a UNESCO site. There was also a prehistoric settlement in the same area with special caves right next to the aqueduct, dating back from 19,000 years ago or so. It’s also a super popular place for the French to cool off in summer!

Pont du Guard

Cooling off French style

So very popular for water sports!

It was now time to find our way back to the airport…. But with one small stop to happen. We still had baguettes, cheese and some wine to finish off before we hit the airport. We stopped in a town called Tarascon, still on the Rhône River, so just a delightful place to stop. We pulled up in the shade next to the CHÂTEAU DE ROI RENÉ built in the 15th century and belonging to the Spanish connected House of Anjou. Sure… that’s where you stop to polish off some wine and cheese! It is in France….!

CHÂTEAU DE ROI RENÉ Sarah P, note makeshift picnic blanket (ALL over France!)

CHÂTEAU DE ROI RENÉ, a fortress built by the princes of Anjou at the start of the 15th century.

From here it was to the airport and time to get ready to hit Norway in a days time…!