Our eastern trip.....

The river below as it flows into the lake. Beaches on both sides and lots of canoe and paddle boat renters on the water. 

View from the winding road above. 

Those rocky cliffs on both sides were used as diving platforms into the deep turquoise water below.

Pedal power!!!  

Mustiers-Sainte-Marie in the distance.

The plateau with a recently harvested lavender field on the left and a wheat field on the right.  

From the plateau we chased the sun on our way back home.

A little over a week ago we returned to an area we had visited last November. Quite a difference between winter and summer and not just with the weather. The areas we traveled to were the Verdon Gorge, Mustiers-Sainte-Marie and an impressive plateau just east of this region. Of course with the tourist season in high gear there were thousands of people enjoying all that this part of France has to offer.

The Verdon Gorge is a river canyon that cuts and winds through limestone rocks as it flows into a manmade lake called Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon. This very deep canyon attracts rock climbers, tourists and also those who swim and boat in the lake the river flows into. Just north of the gorge and lake is the town of Mustiers-Sainte-Marie which I'll write more about during my next entry. The plateau is just as impressive as it is a flat area that rises up from the surrounding hills and valleys. A great amount of lavender and wheat is grown on the plateau which contrasts with the surrounding countryside.

The Calanques-Part 2

View of Mediterranean Sea from a trail in the Calanques. In the foreground is the opening of one of the many inlets the area is famous for.

During our recent trip south to the Mediterranean Sea we visited an area called the Calanques. After hearing alot about this part of France and seeing photos it was good to finally see with my own eyes. The beach we hiked to was nice but small so we spent most of the time there on the rocky ledges on both sides of the inlet that run from the sea to the beach. It was a short hike to the ledges that were very good for jumping into the very clear and refreshing water below us.

This part of France continues to cook in a heatwave that has seen temperatures the last few days hovering right around 100 degrees. The mistral winds which the area is famous for have been virtually non existent and they would be welcome to return at anytime.

Saturday we returned to an area that we last visited in November of last year which was quite different this time around. We made the almost 2 hour drive east to Moustiers St Marie and the Gorges du Verdon region. In November we pretty much had the area to ourselves but now at the height of the tourist season we shared the area with thousands of others. The camera got a good workout and I'll upload those photos in my next post.

One of the many excursion boats that floated into the inlet. 

The rocky ledge near the opening to the Mediterranean. 

Those rocks made for good diving boards. 

The Calanques.....

Small islands with fortresses near the port of Marseille.

Last Sunday we loaded up everyone in 2 cars and headed south towards the Mediterranean Sea and an area called the Calanques. This part of the coast just east of Marseille is known for its very scenic area where tall cliffs drop straight down into the ocean. There are many small inlets that dot the landscape with nice little beaches and harbors at the end of these inlets. The real fun part of this trip is the long walk to these inlets after you park your car. Then you start your walk through the hilly city, then up and down rocky paths worn down by the thousands of people who visit this area every year.

This part of the Calanques right next to the town of Cassis took a good 30 minutes from town to walk which was an up and down journey until we reached our destination. I would have to say the hike was worth it because of the great views and the nice little beach that greeted us when we arrived.

We decided to make the drive through Marseille and the old port on our way to Cassis. This part of the city was very busy and full of tourists dining in the restaurants, shopping in small markets and boarding some scenic boat cruises. The old port was in use more than 2500 years ago by the Greeks who started a settlement there. Today the city of Marseille and its suburbs are inhabited by about 1.6 million people.

This was another trip in which alot of photos were taken so I've posted some now and will upload a few more in my next entry.

HEAT: Just a note that this area and other parts of Europe are now feeling some of the heat that folks back home have been dealing with all summer long. Yesterday the temperature reached 40 Celsius on our thermometer which translates to 104 Fahrenheit.  Makes a person wish he lived closer to the beach....like right next to it. :-)

Just a small part of the trail at the end of our walk.

Another small inlet just for boats. 

A beach for hotel guests in Cassis that we walked by. Our beach was still a long walk ahead of us.

The same beach looking towards the Mediterranean and cliffs rising above the sea.

The inlet leading to the beach we visited. The water was very clear and refreshing. The rocks below provided a good diving board into the water.

Return to Venasque....

Vineyards below soaking up the last rays of sun.

One evening last week we decided to take Alicia's mother to visit the small village of Venasque that we had visited before. Although the town does draw in visitors it's somewhat off the beaten path for a large amount of tourists. When we arrived the few shops were already closed with only the restaurant open for business. We took our time taking a leisurely stroll along the length of the town, stopping to look, admire....and of course take some photos.

The late afternoon sun was providing some nice shadows and contrasting colors on the buildings and  the Nesque valley below. Nightfall was rapidly approaching when we departed and the western sky was glowing with color as the sun was disappearing below the horizon. We traveled a couple of miles east of Venasque before turning around and heading back home. At this point on a ridge we stopped the car on the side of the road and just enjoyed the final moments of sunlight and the colorful display it was sharing with us.

This past weekend we finally traveled to an area on the Mediterranean Sea near the old fishing port of Cassis which is next to what is called the Calanques. You won't find much level ground there with most of the landscape filled with towering cliffs dropping almost straight down into the ocean below.
I'll write about that trip in my next 2 entries.

Hmmmmm....a storage building or a VERY little one room house.

Lots of cats in Venasque....guarding this car or watching over the village...or both.

Meet Morris....director of village security.  

What remains of the fortress walls on the east side of town.  

Memorial honoring villagers who died during WW1. Nearly every French village will have  a memorial like this with most including those lost during WW2.  

Looking towards that brilliant sunset with Venasque to the left. On the horizon you can barely see the steeple of the 12th century church in the village. 

Mother Nature used some nice colors with this sunset. 

"Giant of the Provence"

In my posts I've mentioned Mont Ventoux numerous times and in the photos I've posted it will sometimes be visible in the background. The mountain is also known as the "Giant of the Provence" or "The Bald Mountain." Bald referring to the peak of the mountain having very little vegetation with mostly just bare limestone which from a distance gives the appearance of snow.

I would consider Mont Ventoux to be a small mountain at 6,273 feet, but it towers over the rest of the region. The mistral winds can be extremely strong at the peak with the highest recorded winds at 200 mph! The views at the top are outstanding and on clear days you can easily see the Alps towering to the east.

It was a fairly warm day over a week ago that we decided that a trip to the peak would be a good idea just to see how much cooler it might be.  Since there is a temperature gauge in the car we were able to see and feel the warm weather gradually turn cold. By the time we reached the top the temperature had dropped more than 20 degrees and the wind was blowing with a vengeance. Note to self: Take a coat next time.

The mountain is a favorite of cyclists in the area and is sometimes included in a stage of the Tour de France.

Tower at the top

The Alps in the distance

A little hotel and restaurant below the peak 

Looking south towards the smaller Vaucluse range. 

Looking down from the north side of Mont Ventoux 

Alicia, her mother and daughter enjoying the views at the peak. 

The afternoon sun casting shadows on all that bare limestone.

Bishops of Cavaillon chateau....

During our 2nd trip in a week to Fountaine de Vaucluse we finally walked and climbed the trail to the Bishops of Cavaillon chateau. The 14th century ruins are perched high above the village and would have been a good place to make a "last stand" against the enemy, although I'm not sure if that was ever necessary.

The trail ascends quickly but it's a fairly short hike to the top, with some climbing on slick rocks involved. Part of the path hugs the side of a cliff so I really needed to watch my step so I wouldn't end up taking a very quick trip back to the village below. Once at the top I was treated with some nice views of the Sorgue river directly below as well as the cliffs to the north that tower high above the ruins.

One of the few walls that remain standing. 

The old entrance to the chateau 

At the ruins looking north. 

From here you could observe anyone below...friend or foe.

The Sorgue river before it makes a big left turn and enters the main village. 

When you visit some of these rock fortresses (or what's left of them) you can't help but think about all the backbreaking work that it took to quarry, cut, carry and then put all those rocks into place....in very high places. I'm sure chiropractry would have been a booming business during construction time.. :-)