Home » France » From Paris to Vichy, the Cevennes, Arles, the Camargue

Do I take my woolly mittens or not? Heading for a week in the south of France in May one wouldn't think so. Amphitheater in Arles Yet, a decidedly leaden sky, drizzle and 10-degree Centigrade temperatures in Paris had me wondering.
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From Paris to Vichy, the Cevennes, Arles, the Camargue

LindaThalm
2005-12-02 16:57:10

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built on 28,000 oak and pine posts cut down in the winter of 148-149 A.D. under the reign of emperor Antonius.

Now that's precise archeological dating!

The Amphitheater was erected around 90 A.D. and is the prime tourist spot in central Arles today. Climb the tower for a view of the city in the day and walk round it in the early evening to admire the lighting and hark back to the days of the Romans.

Using my pass I also visited the roman baths (no running water today), Saint-Trophime cloister with a lovely view of the city and the Alyscamps, a Roman graveyard.

Antique theater in Arles The Museon Arlaten housed in the Hôtel Laval-Castellane was built on the remains of the Roman Forum. This musée d'ethnographie provençal has a splendid collection of daily life in Provence.

You'll want to spend at least two hours to take it all in as it is an outstanding museum.

The Réattu Museum is Arles' musée des beaux arts. It borders the Rhône river and the 16th-century building is worth the visit in itself. I particularly enjoyed the 57 Picasso drawings.

Spices in the market Arles Marketing, tasting, cutting, cleaning, preparing, baking, frying, beating, boiling, basting, tasting with Erick and Madeleine Vedel at their School of Provencale Cuisine was nearly over. The cooking students were very pleased.

Time to head for home. So, early Saturday morning we packed bags, recipes and 10 liters of local olive oil heading through the heart of National Park of the Cevennes on a different route.

Nature lovers, put the Cevennes on your list. It was gorgeous in May. I imagine there are swarms of visitors in summer given all the camping, hiking, canoe, kayaking signs we saw!

We meandered all the way up to the highest point in the Cevennes, (1,567 meters) to the Observatoire du Mont Aigoual (in service around the clock since 1894!). We visited the fascinating Méteo France museum (open from 1 May to 30 September, no entry fee). Their gift shop had lovely T-shirts, gadgets and even dried mushrooms.

We didn't encounter any 'extreme' weather events fortunately. The Restaurant menu in Arles observatory has had some nice weather records. Lowest temperature recorded: minus 28 C. - hottest day: 29.9 C. - 1.86 meters of snow fall in one day - 300 kilometer per hour wind gusts (that was in 1968). It's normal to encounter fog (241 days a year) but being on a roll with the weather, are view was clear!

Alas, we had to get back on the autoroute. But there was still no traffic and the hot sun and blue skies kept us smiling. By 19:00 we agreed another 2 hours to get home was just too much.

Pulling out the handy guides again, my scientist and navigator did some quick calculations as to the closest spot for dinner and bed.

Voila! A short drive off the autoroute and we arrived at Le Prieuré Hotel and Restaurant in Vignous-sur-Barangeon between Bourges and Orléans on the National 76.

Their champagne flavored with fresh melon juice was perfect after our very long day on the road. I was too tired to take notes on the meal, but it was delicious!

Zooming down the autoroute on the last lap home we knew we wanted to explore more of France.

Treasures await you. Don't miss them.

From Paris, Linda