We packed up after 4 very good nights with our superb host Edith and she road her bicycle to allows us to follow her in order that we may successfully negotiate the one way lanes/streets and get out of Avignon’s walled city part.
We decided to take the scenic route to AIX, by travelling through the countryside to the attractive village of Gordes perched some 500 metres above sea level on the edge of the “hill-top”. The village is dominated by a 16th century chateau, with arcaded medieval lanes that wind around the hilltop position. The views would be stunning on a clear sunny day……..it was very hazy, but still special.
It was market day on arrival and the carparks were filling quickly. The stall-holders were many and varied…from stalls specialising in garlic, peppers, berries, cured meats, cheeses, clothing, table & bedware, pottery etc.
We wandered through the market then around the village……stunning properties on offer at the Real Estate Agents. They have a small open air theatre with the cliff face as the backdrop. A photographer, specialising in animals of the Artic wastelands had large photographs on display through the village laneways and in the gardens. It is understandable why Gordes of all the perched villages in the region, attracts the most visitors.
After some lunch, and buying smoked ham and bread for tea we set off again, avoiding on initial GPS instructions to go back the way we came. Instead we followed the ridge line , taking in the spectacular views. We went through a number of pretty villages including Murs, on our way to the town of APT, where we stopped and walked through the laneways and then around the old town. It was just after 2.00pm and some shops were starting to open, plus the police we manning the pedestrian crossing, as school appeared to be over for the day.
We continued on to AIX, descending down through windy country roads often encountering groups of club/team cyclists out for a leisurely or training ride. This was a problem passing, especially with on coming traffic on the narrow roads. However our route was much more pleasant than the fast motorway.
According to the guide books AIX was founded by the Romans in 103 BC.
Dot was having fun with the car GPS as it would not recognise the BNB destination, though her phone and Samsung Note had the destination as a valid address, despite being free download applications.
We had a little difficulty locating the BNB, but arrived around 4.30pm to see an old three storey mansion set in a large treed area amongst limestone boulders at the end of a 500metre winding drive.
Our host Dominique helped us settle in and provide drinks including a couple of beers for Michael. As our bedroom was on the 3rd floor we left our cases in the car. The property overlooks a nearby motorway, but the glazing is very effective and road noise can only be just heard at the ground level front of building.
We were left to ourselves that evening as the hosts were out, so after some reading it was off to bed, again with a doona too hot to have on.
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