To Italy and Back: Nice to Arles

We left Nice and followed the coast through Antibes, Juan les Pins and Cannes – very beautiful and obviously top price real estate. Everyone looked expensively dressed and even the trees were well groomed. The coastline was spectacular and I was a little unhappy that there were few spots to stop and get good photos.

We had the usual baguette, cheese and wine for lunch in a park,

reclining on a blanket overlooking the Mediterranean. I hope that Mel and Deb will be happy for me to continue this now well established tradition when I get back to work.

It was hot when we arrived at our very, very quirky accommodation in Arles so we had a swim and prepared for the next day.

Arles is a city in the south of France in Provence situated on the Rhone River. It is famous for its Roman history (established 800 BC), Vincent Van Gogh, bull fighting and its proximity to the Camargue. We drove through the Camargue region and saw many of the white horses (born grey) and flamingos that this area is famous for.

The biggest attraction in Arles is the Roman Ampitheatre. After Roman times the population moved and lived within amphitheatre.

Today there are bullfights during the season. Some are French "courses Camarguaises" – the bull is not killed and a team of men attempt to remove a tassle from the bulls horn without getting injured (my choice) but they also have Spanish corridas where the bull is killed (John's choice). Of course there is bull running in the street prior to each event.

The amphitheatre is really impressive and reasonably intact. Next door is the Gallo-Roman theatre which is used nowadays for concerts and is also very magnificent.

We lunched in a restaurant in the leafy Place du Forum where you can still see the building that inspired Van Gogh’s painting Café Terrace at Night. Later, after more sight seeing the heat got the better of us and we headed home for another swim.

Note: Rose selection at a French supermarket - not at all like Woolworths.

Next: Italy and Back – Arles to Limoux