French Holiday Day 5: Avignon, Châteauneuf-du-Papes and Pont du Gard

[london1967]

Just a handful of pictures tonight as I'm exhausted (when I got home I decided to bake a carrot cake for the office, but it was far from relaxing with preparing dinner as well).

Easter Monday was spent in wonderful Avignon visiting the Palais des Papes and walking around the city; then we had a little drive in the car to Châteauneuf-du-Papes and finally to the Pont du Gard, an amazing Roman aqueduct. 

I was very much looking forward to seeing the Pont du Gard as I had to draw it at school a few times, and I love bridges. 
I was disappointed af first due to the crowds and the over-commercialisation of the place with shops, restaurants, etc. (Tarragona's aqueduct in Catalonia - which we visited a few years ago - is very much left in splendid isolation). 
But people were starting to leave and a walk to the other side of the river was enough to make me appreciate the magic of the place: the west side of the bridge bathed in the late afternoon's golden light was quite simply breathtaking.

Avignon:








Châteauneuf-du-Papes:

Pont du Gard:

Comments

Wow...

[huxbear.livejournal.com]

I forgot to comment on the last set (with the gorgeous colours over the stone wall, reflecting at sunset & the trees behind the wall), but man...you have an *eye* and the saturation and intensity of these pics makes me want to travel there WITH YOU more than I've ever (EVER!!!) wanted to travel in that region before...

I'd have to bring the husband, though, he's nuts for France...what with "A Year In Provence", etc. rattling around his heart... ;o)

Re: Wow...

[london1967.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much Hux! Really glad you enjoyed the pictures.
Provence is amazing: I'm sure you and your husband would love it.

And, by the way, have a wonderful trip!

*hugs*

Pont du Gard

[ursine1.livejournal.com]

Is one of my favorite Roman structures. I'll have to see the aqueducts in Tarragona and Segovia.

Chuck

Re: Pont du Gard

[london1967.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen the Segovia one (only in picture)... hopefully one day!

[cuboz.livejournal.com]

As usual, your photos are NOTHING short of spectacular! And that aqueduct looks amazing....

Once again, I think it makes us jealous down here that places like that are SO accessible to you guys! :-)

xxx

[london1967.livejournal.com]

Awww, thank you Dom!

Yes I think we are very fortunate to have all of this so near, and so much of it that sometimes we don't even pay it much attention!

*hugs*