Sunshine beckoned us to head south today, in search of adventure - and preferably water. After travelling for just over one hour, we landed in the glorious walled city of Aigues-Mortes, in the region "Languedoc Rousillon". Established in the thirteenth century by King Louis, Aigues-Mortes is only 6km from the sea. Complete with an irregularly shaped rampart wall flanked by gates and towers, it is immediately impressive.
After entering the city via its large arched porte, we strolled the narrow streets and admired Aigues' beautiful church and shopfronts. We then decided to climb its tower and walk along its walls. In the near distance, we could see the boats on the canals and the rooftops of the city. On climbing back down, we then ate lunch at a lovely little Spanish restaurant in the main square. It was a delicious choice. Even lovelier would have been to eat outside in the square, but many French seem to still prefer to smoke with their meals.....cough, cough.
Five hours after arriving in Aigues, we headed off several kilometres down the road to the seaside town of Port-Camargue. With only a small beach and fishing no longer seasonal, the children were a little disappointed. However, the sun was shining and people were still fishing, walking their dogs and enjoying time on the water. It was nice to break away from the smell of lavender for a short while and just bask in the smell of the sea. Somehow, I think the ocean will beckon us to return -if not on these same shores, somewhere else not far away. Tricia
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| Aigues-Mortes' ramparts and towers |
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| Charming cafes abound in Aigues-Mortes |
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| Aigues-Mortes' main square |
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| Sean, Eloise and Brett with Saint Louis' bronze statue |
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| Aigues-Mortes' blazon featuring Saint Martin ( 1697) |
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| Eloise and Sean with one of the Camargue region's symbols - the bull |
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| The church, "Notre Dame des Sablons", Aigues-Mortes |
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| St Louis |
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| Interior of "Notre Dame des Sablons" |
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| King Louis statue in "La Tour de Constance" |
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| Sean climbs "La Tour de Constance" tower, built 1241-1250 |
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| Aigues-Mortes' magnificent walls and towers |
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| Brett and Eloise look down from Aigues-Mortes' walls |
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| Brett finds shelter where armed men once stood |
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| Looking across Aigues' rooftops towards "Tour de Constance" |
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| Eloise and Sean enjoy a stroll at Port-Camargue |
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| A dedicated fisherman at Port-Camargue |
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| The shoreline and beach of Port-Camargue |
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| Pretty Port-Camargue |
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| Vessels of all sizes at Port-Camargue |
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| Eloise befriends a seal at Port-Camargue |
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| Eloise, Sean and Brett outside Port-Camargue's Aquarium |
Hi everyone
ReplyDeleteWe are waiting at our place for a call from the hospital for Robbo to discuss his a radiation treatment. It is 3pm so it looks like being a late visit. I have tried to make a comment about 4 t imes but have been unsuccessful - hopefully will be successful this time. if the treatment doesn't start this coming week we will take mum and dad to Burrum Heads on Tuesday. Tomorrow night we have Paul's bucks party. I am going along to offer the benefit of my greater maturity. it's going to be hard as I am normally in bed abhout 7.30 at night. You are more than half way through your holiday so I guess you are starting to get tired. When we go overseas we Karen normally ready to come home after about 3 weeks. Well will sign off and hopefully keep you posted.
Di and Richo