A Travellerspoint blog

Roman Provencal

sunny 25 °C

We’ve been zipping through the countryside faster than the cyclists on the actual Tour de France. And ancient cities, towns and villages with Roman and Medieval buildings have simply flown past. Unfortunately, the Wifi in the sprawling rustic farmhouse where we were staying was unable to keep up with our blog. We are now taking a breather for a few days in Cavaillon in the heart of the Luberon wine country made famous by author Peter Mayle in “A Year in Provence”. So, while we relax with a glass of Muscat wine given to us by a friendly local, (actually a newfound friend), we can look back at Arles, Nimes and Pont du Gard.
The Roman colosseum in Arles was fortified in the Middle-ages and an entire city was built within its walls. The thousand-year-old watchtowers are the only reminders of that time. All the houses, stores and workshops were removed in the 19th century when the archeological importance of the site was recognised. …
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As the population of Arles increased during Medieval times, the city expanded beyond its Roman walls. Its spider web of narrow streets fanning out from its centre was surrounded by massive fortifications…
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This is the City Hall, (Hotel de Ville) in the city centre…
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While this entrance to the Roman theatre is now surrounded by buildings from many eras…
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It seems that every French city and town has a connection to one famous artist or another and Arles is no exception. Vincent Van Gogh moved to Arles from Paris in 1888 seeking brighter colours and better light. He painted many important works here including ‘Le Jardin de la Maison de Sante’ which has changed little in the past 135 years…
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After our visit to Arles we made a pitstop in the city of Nimes where we discovered an equally impressive Roman colosseum. This colosseum, like the one in Arles, is still used for concerts and performances. However, the highlight of Nimes is the perfectly preserved Roman Temple – the Maison Carre…
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This building rivals the Parthenon in Rome and has been used as a temple, church, city hall and art gallery in its two-thousand-year history.
It's Halloween, which means that here in France it is All Souls Day on November 1st. when people traditionally place large pots of chrysanthemums on the their ancestors' graves. So, the florists in Nimes all have colourful displays...
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Nimes has another claim to fame beyond its Roman Temple. In the 19th century Levi Strauss mixed his stiff canvas fabric in America with a softer cotton twill cloth from Nimes and denim (de Nimes) was born. Denim jeans are therefore as much French as they are American.
From Nimes we took a quick sprint to the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard…
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The Romans were masters of bridge building two thousand years ago, (a skill retained by the Italians today), and their incredible bridges and aqueducts have withstood the test of time. The height and enormity of the Pont du Gard, (the aqueduct and bridge over the River Gardon), is best reflected in its shadow in the river far below…
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With Roman colosseums, temples, and aqueducts behind us, all we need was a two-thousand year-old-bridge and we found this one at Vaison la Romaine…
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This bridge was built over the River Ouveze in the 1st century AD. In September of 1962 a tremendous storm swept a tidal wave down the river from the surrounding mountains and washed away part of the town. Although the deluge overtopped the bridge it withstood the inundation while more recent bridges were destroyed.
Now we have to get a move on as we try to catch up. There are so many interesting places and amazing sights in this part of France that we will have to pedal harder if we hope to complete our tour in the next few days.

Posted by Hawkson 17:24 Archived in France

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Comments

It’s a treat to have your blog again. I missed it.
You are missing some dreary, dark days here. I wish I could locate to Arles!
The Romans were amazing engineers. Thanks for the photos of their enduring accomplishments.

by Heather P

It's a fascinating area and it looks as though you're having great weather.

At the National Gallery until Jan 2025, there's a wonderful exhibition of Van Gogh's paintings, done during the two years he spent in Arles before his death. There are 60+ paintings of flowers, trees, gardens, landscapes etc. in beautiful colours. It seemed to have been such a creative period. There's a good video of the exhibition on YouTube for those who won't be in London.

by Heather MT

Wow! You are whipping through this part of the trip. Beautiful, love the history. Hope you continue to have sunshine.

by Sue Fitzwilson

Ah, Provence, how lovely it is! Though can't we spot a few touches of yellowing leaves in the last 2 photos? An autumn in Provence outshines a grey Wet Coast one for sure. We could definitely do with more light and brighter colours here. By your lovely photos and enlightening commentary, thanks for brightening this day.

by Shelley

Halloween just over here--200+ trick or treaters at our door despite cold, wet weather. Denim--definitely new bit of trivia to add to my crossword collection. Also appreciated the aqueduct photo (plumbing interests). Marvellous structure.

by R and B

Again a suite of lovely photos. Love that blue sky of Provence with that lovely quality of light that lured the painters

Your Roman temple, Maisin Carré, may be the one Jefferson modeled neo classical aspects of his home, Monticello, on. He was there in 1785. Many state capitals were subsequently modeled on Monticello. Influential building,

There is another connection with denim and Italy, Genoa in particular. Denim was transformed into a lighter fabric and dyed blue there and used in workers garments. Known as Les bleu de Genes (Genoa) it became our blue jeans in English when the fabric crossed the Atlantic in the 18th C. Strauss would have worked his own magic on it in turn.

by Tom

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