For those
planning to visit France during summer (the French summer months are July-Aug),
there is a nationwide summer sale at begins at the end of June every year. While touring the old town of Avignon we
noticed most of the shops were closed at midday for the sales assistants to
prepare for the upcoming event that begins the following day for us!
Being
typical kiasu Singaporeans who cannot resist the big “SOLDES” (sale in French)
signs waving at us everywhere, we each made a mental note of the shops we want
to visit. The next day, whatever plans we had were thrown out the window when
we decided to go shopping instead.
Lunch was
at a little restaurant tucked at the corner of a small junction.
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| some beer after retail therapy |
Finally
rejuvenated from our massive retail therapy, we were on the roads again heading
north to the Rhone valley.
About
12km north of Avignon is the Châteauneuf du Pape region which is famous for its
red wine production. Vineyards are scattered across the plains and wine tasting
is almost rudimentary. We stopped by Chateau Beaucastle for a quick wine tour.
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| Passing the vineyard on the way |
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| Chateau Beaucastle |
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| Aging process |
Orange is the most famous for its Roman theatre, Théâtre antique d'Orange. The theatre was built
in the 1st century and has the most complete stage walls preserved
amongst the Roman monuments in the world.
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| 37m original stage wall |
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| Behind it are 3 floors of backstage for actors to enter |
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| View from the stand |
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| Most impressive Roman theatre i've seen |
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| Audio guides available |
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| top of the theatre stand for lowest class in the Roman times |
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| Ruins of temple next to the theatre |
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| Temple ruins |
The original plan was to stop by Montelimar
for nougats and other towns like Valence but due to our earlier side track by
the sale, we had to head directly to Lyon via the highway from Orange.
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| Lavender fields along the way |
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| Arriving in Lyon! |
Drive map of the day:
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