Anyone who has been reading my blogs and looking at my photos knows that I have a tremendous interest in doors. It is so interesting to see doors in different countries and see how they are maintained. In some cases, they are not which is testament to the craftmanship and quality of the original door. I like seeing doors that are painted to make the entry festive, and I also like to see doors that look like they went up at the same time as the structure. There were many doors and windows that had murals painted on them. I had never seen that before this trip. On this trip I was also fascinated with shutters. I found it interesting how some structures had full shutters for window openings and others maybe only had one or two shutters. I really liked seeing shutters that were actually doors leading out to a balcony. I found myself speculating on what was behind the shutters. I do this often when I see an open or partially open door. I feel like it is an invitation to enter or create a narrative for the home or building and the people in it. My imagination takes over!

Aix-en-Provence

ARLES

AVIGNON

VIVIERS

LYON

BEAUJEU and BLACE

I love the last shot. Makes me feel like van Gogh with the irises!!

That wraps up my own “Tour de France”. I hope that the blogs I wrote for this trip make you want to pack a bag and go!!

No matter where I go, I am always conscious of who’s-wearing-what and I love to check out what’s in the shops and stores. I like to know what an area is known for and I love to see things that are made in that area. I always check that out before I go. You can even find information on what-to-buy (I don t need help with that).

Here are some shots of people on the street in Aix-en-Provence.

Lyon

Three great shops to go to- Stella Stellina Lyon, Handcrafted jewelry and art gallery; Bouchier Soieries, Lyon, beautiful silk prints and Aix & Co- a concept store with all artists creations in Aix-en-Provence. I left some Euros in each shop!

ALWAYS fun shopping!!

Did you ever arrive at a destination and say to yourself-I’m going to like it here? This is how I felt about Lyon. I had never been here but when I started touring, I felt a sense of familiarity…was it because it reminded me of Paris? I felt so connected!

Lyon straddles the Rhone and Saone Rivers. After Paris, Lyon is considered “the country’s most significant cultural center”. The city scape! The rich architecture! The tree-lined boulevards! The cobblestone streets in Old Lyon! The unique passageways through buildings that connect adjacent streets! The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere! And the SHOPS!!!!!

We toured the Basilica and then Old Lyon where I did some really good shopping. Lyon is known for silk printing and I brought two beautiful scarfs home with me as well as a statement necklace made by a Lyon artist. I returned to our bus to go back to the ship to recharge before more shopping in the afternoon. I walked by a man sitting with his wife and he looked at me and said “you are glowing”-I was so stunned…I told him that that was exactly what my husband used to say when I was having a really good shop (often at Nordstroms). I felt like somehow Tom was along for the ride with me on this trip and that made me feel happy. Between that and the beautiful clouds in the Lyon sky I really felt Tom’s presence. That afternoon two new friends and I walked back across the river to explore another neighborhood and see more shops. (I will also have a blog on street fashion for this trip)

The second day in Lyon was spent in Beaujolais Wine Country. The winery was beautiful and a great contrast to being in the city. The winery was owned by a woman named Isabella Brossard who was the first woman to buy the property for and operate a winery. She had been a city planner in Paris so this was quite a change. She started organic wine making and has been successful. On the way to the winery, we stopped in the small town of St Nicolas De Beaujeu. Excellent day! The wines were fabulous!

St Nicolas De Beaujeu

An angel in the clouds!

I hope that you have enjoyed traveling with me. It was a great trip that took me to really beautiful places. The hotel in Aix-en-Provence was The Grand Hotel Roi Rene. I would recommend it to anyone traveling there. The Viking ship I was on was the Hermod. The accommodations were fine. My friend and I each had our own cabin. Unfortunately, Viking does not give much consideration to solo travelers. One has to pay just about double the rate for one person based on double accommodations pricing. The service on the cruise was really great. The servers and housekeeping couldn’t do enough for you! The entire staff had very positive attitudes. The excursions were well planned and very interesting. The wines were sensational…but the food left a lot to be desired. All in all, the experience with Viking was positive. River cruises do get you where you want to go but I think I prefer ocean cruising.

A lot of ground was covered on this trip. I recorded my steps each day and by the end of the trip I had walked 40+ miles. So grateful to have eyes to see all of this and legs that could keep me going!

Every day the ship docks at a new town to be explored. Each day I say, how is it possible that each town is as beautiful, or more beautiful than the one I just left?

VIVIERS

Viviers is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in southern France. It is located on the Right Bank of the Rhone in southern Ardeche. It is the administrative and religious capital of Vivarais. In the Middle Ages it was a prosperous area. It was home to 30,000 people (today about 4,000 residents). Its location on the Rhone made it a center of trade and artisanry. The cobblestone and vaulted passageways are beautiful. And then there is St Vincent’s Cathedral in the upper town! The walking tour was wonderful, but death defying at times with the cobblestone streets, steps and a width of one lane for cars going in either direction and always pedestrians in their path!

Look at Santa hanging on the wall. They want to make sure the house is not missed!! And look at the chair “on the edge” must have been tough day!!

love the murals on door and windows

Just showing some extra scenery as we cruised away from Viviers heading overnight to Tournon. I know nuclear power plants have to exist, but I wasn’t expecting to see it!!

TOURNON

Tournon lies between the river and the vineyard-blanketed granite slopes that nurture fine vintages. There is a steam train here. The inauguration of the Tournon-Lamastre line took place on July 12, 1891. The steam locomotives pulled wagons transporting passengers, goods and mail. The train ride was fun and very scenic.

Leaving Tournon. Note the terraced vineyards up the steep granite slopes. Tournon-sur-Rhone, France.

I enjoyed both of these beautiful towns. On to Lyon!

We cruised back to Avignon from Arles. In the morning there was a walking tour. The Old City of Avignon is a walled city. It is known as the “City of Popes”. It was the Papel seat in the 14th century when the Pope abandoned Rome and went to Avignon. The Palace of the Popes is a work of Gothic splendor!! So much to look at!! The Place de l’Horloge was fabulous with the carousel and the clock tower, the Paroisse Saint Agrical and then The Place du Palais- Pope’s Palace. Then off to wineries in the afternoon!!

In the afternoon it was off to wineries!! I went to 2 wineries. Chateauneuf-Du-Pape Bouachon and Caveau Domaines Mousset. What a delicious afternoon learning the secrets of proper wine tasting and savoring the flavors. This was a “must-do” since I could remember my parents enjoying Chateauneuf-Du-Pape wines when I was growing up.

What a beautiful day!!

Just got back from a wonderful vacation in Provence. After flying to Paris and on to Marseille I spent 2 1/2 days in Aix-en-Provence. The hotel was The Grand Hotel Roi Rene. Loved this place. Talk about location-location-location! Step out the door and start walking to wherever you wanted to go. Plus, my room was beautiful and there was a restaurant and bar! Perfect!

The plan was for 2 nights at the hotel and then we would be taken to meet our Viking ship, Hermod, in Avignon to start a cruise on the Rhone River to Lyon. When we arrived at the hotel there was a Viking representative to greet us and fill us in on the schedule. For that first day we could settle in and then he would take us on a “walk about”. For dinner we were on our own. The next day we had a scheduled tour. Both days were great. we got to see a lot including a street market, the building where Paul Cezane spent many years, and the Cathedrale Saint-Sauveur. We just drank in the beauty of Aix-en-Provence! And of course, I discovered two concept shops that carried local artist’s creations. At one I loved a multicolor drop earring. I thought they were mismatched earrings and I love that! When I told the salesperson what I wanted she said that is 2 pair of earrings. I expressed my disappointment and she paused then and said OK and let me have one from each pair. She thought it was a good idea!

The next day we drove to Avignon to board the ship. We stopped for a “photo op” at Gordes, Fabulous views. We arrived at the ship in time for cocktails and dinner. The ship cruised to Arles. The day started with a 3-hour walking tour. Here we got to see the Roman-era structures in Arles. Les Arenes Amphitheater is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The arena dominating Old Arles was built in the first century AD. There were chariot races, gladiator contests (I kept looking for Russell Crowe!) and bull fights!! Arles is a famous Provencal market and the sunlight here inspired Vincent van Gogh.

Aix-en-Provence

GORDES

ARLES

Les Baux & Carrieres de Lumieres

LOCK ON RHONE RIVER AND SUNSET