November 21, 2009

South of France Views

Since October I've taken advantage* of friends who live in beautiful places and made a couple of trips around southern France to two stunning regions, each of which with their own unique personality and charm.
Last month I went east on the train to Marseille & Cassis and last week I jumped in our little car and drove north to Rodez.

Both times I was well taken care of!
There were local wines to taste and cheese shops to visit; I was driven to a picturesque Provençal village perched on a hill, and to a picturesque Aveyron village perched on a cliff; we explored le Panier neighborhood in old Marseille and sat with un café noisette in a sunny café along the pretty port in Cassis; we toured the lovely city of Rodez and sat with a glass of Marcillac red wine in a local bar looking out at the glowing nighttime Rodez cathedral.
Both times my French got a good work out, as did my little camera.

The view from Cassis


La Vielle Charité in Marseille


The Vallon des Auffes in Marseille


Provençal patisserie


Petite maison à Rodez


Gothic courtyard of Rodez


Cathedral in Rodez


Village of Bozouls

Église de Bozouls


Side street in Bozouls



Next week I'm taking trip number three.
Tuesday morning I'm pointing the car northwest and heading to the Lot-et-Garonne to visit Kate for few fun-filled days of Armagnac, duck fat infused cooking and Gascon markets.


No camp this time, (I will definitely miss my fellow campers) but I'm sure there will be Cassoulet!


le Relais de Camont



*I mean that in a nice way, of course Pin It

11 comments:

brassfrog said...

Best pictures ever! Boy, you'd have a field day in Arles... :)

Alissa said...

Agreed! What a wonderful post! You're very lucky to have friends scattered throughout France. Thanks for sharing!

Betty Carlson said...

Marseille and Rodez, what a contrast! I've never been to Marseille, I really must change that. Say hi to Kate -- I hope I get to meet her someday too, but I'm not as footloose as you are (I won't say fancy-free...)

Ruth said...

I love those photos! I dream of the day I'll get to visit the south of France, and until that dream comes true, I'll have to come to you blog and view these gorgeous photos. Thanks for sharing.

MsGourmet said...

Your a very lucky girl!

the gardener's cottage said...

Hi Jennifer,

That "little camera" of yours does spectacular work. Your pics are getting better and better, if that is even possible. I'm right there with Ruth. Thanks for the gorgeous images!

~janet

Jennifer said...

brassfrog
Thanks!
Would love to get to Arles again. I was there about 15 years ago and really enjoyed it.

Alissa
I am lucky, I agree! It is so great to have the chance to discover all the different regions.

Betty
You must go to Marseille!
I'll say hi to Kate. Haven't seen her in a couple of years and am really excited to see her again.

Ruth
You are very welcome! Thank you for your nice comments.

MsGourmet
I think so too! Can't wait to meet you when you get back to France.

Janet
Thank you, that is so sweet. :)

Cynthia in the French Alps said...

Hi, Jennifer, first, I have got to get to Marseilles. My husband used to live there and hated it so Im going to have to sneak away on my own. And secondly, I spent two weeks in Lot/Dordogne this summer and loved it. If you're looking for a gite near La Bugue (next to all the caves with the ancient paintings)I have a video about our gite on my blog with the contact info. Just a FYI. Have a great time! Cynthia in the French Alps

Jennifer said...

Cynthia
I love Marseille and think it has an undeserved, negative reputation. You should go!
Thanks for the gîte recommendation. I would like to get up there to explore the caves some time and will remember to contact you if we ever need a rental. Merci!

Sarah said...

what a pretty little virtual tour of provence, isn't great to have friends who live in just the right places?

Jennifer said...

Sarah
Glad you enjoyed it and yes, it is! :)