We spent a day from Nimes in the small town of Beaucaire via 40min bus ride. The own has a port on the Sete-Rhone canal and a castle with birds of prey. Also you cross a bridge to another town called Tarascon. Actually missed the stop to Beaucaire by crossing the bridge so started at Tarascon. Was a Tuesday so a fabulous market was underway.
Tomatoes that taste like tomatoes.
There was a huge range of clothing, shoes, French linen also; sadly too heavy to bring home. We crossed the bridge to the "other side".
Beaucaire had a nice feel and we enjoyed walking along the canal looking at all the boats. Nationalist town very proud "viva le France🇫🇷". A bit run down we would have to say due to many empty shops and apartments with several " 'a vendre" signs in the centre of the old town. We do love wandering amongst the old towns noting the construction and expertise from 300yrs ago or older.
Conversation from one's balcony to the girl below.
Life goes on notwithstanding how decrepit the buildings look from the outside.
In 1675 someone called Jean Baptise Arnaud de Margallier lived here.
By this time it was very warm and not having bought our homemade baguettes lunch under shady trees called.
Le chef looks like he also enjoys his food. Love the shoes..very Goofy.
Petit salads and a glass of wine for two....16 euros. Note my very short hair. Earlier in the day, before getting the bus, we had a booking for a desperately needed haircut. Hairdresser spoke no English but one of the assistants spoke some. Translation seemed to be ok but somewhere along the "hair tucked behind ears" become " cut hair behind ears". Needless to say a bit short back and sides with mop top but survivable.
We had given up on the castle and birds of prey....usual story closed Mon/Tues. So got the bus back to Nimes. The apartment we were in had a rooftop sitting area which was wonderful for looking over rooftops, admiring the flocks of swifts at the end of the day. The swifts are larger versions of swallows and very noisy, constantly on the move. Flocks collective noun is "screamers" because that is the noise they make.
Next day, Wednesday, we are on the move by train to Carcassonne. Only a couple of hours from Nimes. Carcassonne is a hilltop town with a medieval citadel, double walled fortifications and many watch towers. First walls were in Roman times which were then massively expanded in the 12th and 13th century. We are always in awe of how the complicated construction, with huge stones, was achieved to still be standing in its entirety today. Not sure this can be said for some if the vanity projects erected today. Most tourists only come for a half a day to whip around this but we are here until Friday.
This is the view from our apartment window. The Saint Michel cathedral is right beside the apartment with tolling bells every half and full hour which we do like to hear. They do stop the tolls between 10pm and 6am thankfully.
The castle and ramparts called Chateau Comtal or the citadel in the distance. An ancient town within the walls and then what is called Le Bastide in the foreground.
A night it is quite something. Reminded one of Edinburgh castle when lit up.
The Le Bastide is certainly worth a wander about. Similar to Beauclaire seem to be many empty or boarded up establishments. A shop owner told us April/May the Americans come, quiet June/July then some action in the Autumn. So heavy reliance on tourism, some movies are shot here given the backdrop, there is of course plenty of vineyards and several Michel star/digestation restuarants but you get the impression for average inhabitants it is a struggle.
Ramparts of the citadel.
Outstanding gargoyles
This tower was renovated in the 19th century, using red brick seemed a random choice considering the range of rubble, stone used since the 12th century.
Tomorrow we thought we would try to get to the Chateau Pennuatier as the gardens were designed by Le Notre, who planned the gardens of Versailles in Paris. The Chateau was built in 1620 and is supposedly open at 10am but we find in France this is not always the case. Websites are often not updated or like this morning getting into the Citadel was delayed because "staff" decided to have a strike for an hour. There may or may not be a bus but we can walk 5km, nothing is impossible.
No comments:
Post a Comment