FASHIONISTAS: 10.VI.09

Richard bought a hat. We all tried it out and the jury is still out on who wears it with the most flair! We're having drinks at Café de la Paix, our favourite hang-out next to City Hall.

SAUVE: 09-VI-09

Sauve is such a lovely little town that we enjoyed revisiting it with Di & Richard. Diane, Richard and Karl went on a hike to explore the upper regions. Diane even found a silver bracelet which we imagined was left by someone in the medieval times and not by a tourist from just a month ago!

I stayed in town and poked in little stores, enjoyed the view of the river from a sidewalk cafe, and appreciated the architecture that includes my signature "hearts".

When we met again, we continued exploring and came across this wonderful stained glass artisan shop.

In the B&B on the corner, Karl was fascinated with the bell at the doorway that indicated it was from the sunk PS GrafSpee from 1939.

VILLEVIEILLE: 07-VI-09

On the plain of the Vidourle River sits Villevieille where we visited its castle. The dungeon dates back to the Xth century. Updated in the XVIth century, it became a beautiful Renaissance structure.

It overlooks the Cévennes and has a remarkable archeological history. Close by is the town of Fontbouisse, with habitants dating back to 2500BC.

I loved the kitchen!

This picture is of a baby boy in a dress. The style back then was to clothe boys in dresses because it was easier to change their diapers or put them on the potty.

Mr. Préville, the one pointing to the beautiful German armoire, and his family are direct descendants of the original owners and still live in this castle. Note the leather works of art which cover the walls!

On the Sunday we were there, they had entertained 13 of their family members for breakfast on a dining room table that we would imagine belongs in a museum.

This is a "secrétaire", a place to write correspondence.

AUBERGE DU TEMPS: 06-VI-09

We're showing Diane & Richard our favourite spots, including this lovely Auberge du Temps just outside of Anduze.

DIANE & RICHARD ARRIVE: 05-VI-09

Diane and Richard arrived via the TGV (train grande vitesse) from Paris to Nîmes.

We toured the city and visited the Jardin de la Fontaine. When the Romans arrived in Nîmes, they found a town established by the Gauls, centered on the source of a spring. They named the town Nemausus, after their river god. In the 18th centruy, formal gardens were constructed, and a network of limpid pools and cool stone terraces remains.

The old in front of the ancient.

High above the garden on Mont Cavalier is the octagonal Tour Magne, once a key part of the Roman walls, offering a great view of the city.

The Pont du Gard carried water to Nîmes along a 50-km route from the springs at Uzès.

MARKET DAY IN QUISSAC

The City Hall in Quissac is a grand old building that has seen better days and could use a sprucing up, but its clock continues to mark the passing of time with timeless accuracy.

It's also the focal point on a corner where there are restaurants and shops, so we come here for coffee and "pétillant" quite often. We've become great friends with Hugo at the Café de la Paix who once worked in Canada. He makes a great "Grand café crème".

I need a few veggies...

... a roasted chicken...

Market day is every Wednesday, and we love to browse the streets to check out the olives, the fish and the fresh veggies.

We always stop to say hello to Christophe Morin, the baker.


Loaded up with our treasures, we head for a familiar street on our way home.

COLLIOURE: 02-VI-09

Three sheltered beaches, both pebble and sand, nestle around the harbour, dominated by the bulk of the Château Royal, which forms part of the harbour wall. It was first built by the Knights Templar in the 13th century, and Collioure became the main port of entry for Perpignan, remaining under the rule of Spanish Aragon until France took over in 1659.

(Press the play button to watch the video.)

The Eglise Notre-Dame-des-Anges on Collioure's quayside was rebuilt in the 17th century. A former lighthouse was incorporated as a belltower.

The colours of Collioure first attracted Matisse here in 1905: brightly stuccoed houses sheltered by cypresses and gaily painted fishing boats, all bathed in the famous luminous light and washed by a gentle sea.

Anchovies are still the main business. Three salting houses are evidence of this tradition.