France 2008

L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, 14-20 June

		We spent week in L'Isle and made five day trips. The map shows where we went. Click on the thumbnail to get a legible version.
		Leaving Millau, we went east along the Gorges de la Jonte. Unlike the Gorges du Tarn, the road was quite high above the river. *
		*
		*
		We eventually got to the easier country of the Parc National des Cévennes. *
		L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a very pleasant town with (as its name suggests) its historic centre built on an island in the river Sorgue. *
		The day after we arrived, the Sunday market took over the whole of the town centre. *
		There were musicians in the streets ... *
		and produce of all kinds. *
		*
		*
		*
		We had a busy day on the Monday. First, we visited the Romano-Greek settlement of Glanum, just south of St-Remy-de-Provence. This Roman Triumphal Arch was at the entrance to the town. †
		It had been a substantial settlement. *
		*
		*
		†
		Then on to the "Cathedral d'Images", in an old bauxite mine near Les Baux. Each year, different art is projected onto the mine walls. *
		In 2008, the works were by Van Gogh. *
		We went on to see more Roman remains at the Aqueduc du Barbegal: old arches running through fields. *
		†
		†
		The aqueduct ran through this channel, then over an escarpment to work a water mill, and running on to provide water to Arles. †
		Our final stop on Monday was at the Abbaye de Montmajeur, now in ruins but a fine abbey for over 40 monks for centuries. *
		†
		*

Time to start another page.