We had a mini road-trip today, that took us on a route we will never be able to repeat. After picking up the rental car, we organized the maps and headed north-east. Our first stop was at a Romanesque abbey surrounded by olive groves, meadows and rocky hills. Following the valley, we drove up the “Val d’enfer” (valley of hell) that does not fit its name. At the top of the valley was Baux-de-Provence, a preserved village with a medieval castle. It was interesting to explore, but the best view was from the vineyards below.
I spy with my little eye, something that’s medieval
From there we drove through the very picturesque countryside to l’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Built on a maze of clear streams, it was like a funkier, smaller Venice. We ate crepes and gauffres there, then continued on to Tarascon and Beaucaire. Up until then we had avoided the main roads, so through determination and luck, we skirted Avignon, went through man tiny towns and ended up in Beaucaire, a more industrial town on the Rhone. At a restaurant overlooking the canals we ate Moules Frites, then piled into the car for the drive to Arles, with a sunset to boot. Through our many detours, we had managed a circle route and twelve hours on the road.
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