Frenchlife- Part Seven - Pont du Gard

We are staying very close to the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge built in the 1st century AD.

We have been here before but it is so impressive and the day so brilliant we headed out to visit again

It originally extended from Nimes to Uzes  (50kms) most of which was built underground. 

This bridge was built to cross the river and the water ran over the third level.

It continues to amaze me how the Roman engineers built something like this so long ago and it is still standing looking so good.

C'est moi, looking mighty relaxed!

This olive tree was planted in 908 AD and is still surviving - something about the French terroir perhaps?

Frenchlife - Part Six - St Remy de Provence

It was a busy market day day in St Remy de Provence when we visited on Wednesday

We stocked up some cheese and olives (not too much as we leave Blauzac on Friday)

This porchetta and lapin caught our eye, but was not a purchase

Admired the pottery 

Wandered through the narrow passageways, admiring the pretty houses and ancient buildings

  Learnt that Nostradamus was born and grew up in St Remy

Bought some chocolate from our favourite chocolatier

and listened to some music

Frenchlife - Part Five - Nimes

We headed to Nimes early in the week.

The main reason was to visit the Arena- a Roman amphitheatre built around 70AD.

We had a few recommendations as a "must do" and we really enjoyed it.

The audio tour was very informative and recreated extremely well the atmosphere of people being thrown to the lions for entertainment, the tenuous gladiator's life, the class hierarchy of the city, the noises of blood being spilt and the noon savaging of prisoners sentenced to death.

Funnily enough,  I had the urge to watch the movie Gladiator. Not sure what that says about me.

We climbed like mountain goats to the top and felt the full scale of the structure.

As walked around the whole arena we learnt that it is the best remaining example of a Roman amphitheatre.

These days concerts are held here as well as bullfights.

Not all was as gory as the Arena in Nimes - the wide tree lined boulevards and embankments

led us to this beautiful garden - Jardins de la Fontaine built in 18th century around roman ruins

The black swan theory is alive and well in Nimes