Once we had crossed France, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, we arrived in the area of the Gard river. This area is north of Nimes and just south of Avignon. The sun had returned and all was well with the world.
We know this area well as we have passed through here on each of our four trips. We rented a gite for 6 days in a tiny village near Remoulins. Gite is French for self catering, independent holiday house. The village had no redeeming features and I never even thought to take a photo of either the gite or the town.
We know this area well as we have passed through here on each of our four trips. We rented a gite for 6 days in a tiny village near Remoulins. Gite is French for self catering, independent holiday house. The village had no redeeming features and I never even thought to take a photo of either the gite or the town.
However, there were some beautiful villages close-by. The three photos below are of the village of Vers du Gard.
We were so enchanted by this village that we inspected three properties that were for sale.
Luckily, we came to our senses and didn't buy one, but it was a close call.
Charming village! But the realities of owning a house in France are not what we want to take on at this late stage.
Next we re-visited the charming town of Uzes. On our first trip to France in 1998 we had a week in Paris followed by a week in Uzes. It was a great choice for a first experience of a French village.
This is the market square of Uzes called La Place aux Herbes with the traditional plane trees, hundreds of years old and the original fountain. Uzes holds a very famous weekly produce market in this square.
Most of the streets are as pretty as this one.
And this is the house we rented in 1998. Our apartment was the right hand window on the second floor. In 1998, this was a quiet street, but not now. 13 years later it is a busy road.
This is the Gard river as it flows through Remoulins. This particular structure is a type of breakwater to slow the flow, especially in Spring after snow melt.
Access to the river is very easy here, and it is a particularly popular local swimming spot. Paul tried it out and described it as brisk, bracing and beautiful.
A little further down-river are the Gorges of the Gard. Again, very popular for swimming and canooing - but no sand, only stones. So everyone wears "water shoes".
At this spot the stones are coarse black gravel. Shoes are still required.
Can you imagine huge glaciers moving along this water course in the Ice Age and carving these gorges for the river? This is all so ancient it is a bit eerie, especially at dusk!
And a little bit further down stream - the Pont du Gard. Next ............
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