ARLES

It is sunny and hot today.
We start the day with a guided walking tour of Arles. Our local guide met us at our hotel and whisked us off on an adventure through time & gorgeous scenery. She walked us around the Roman arena and theatre (the Romans had to keep the people entertained so they wouldn't plot against the government). The theatre is used for concerts & theatre today while the arena is used for bull fighting (the non-violent kind). We walked thru the ancient city walls to the Rhone. We strolled thru Forum Square where the ancient Roman forum used to stand, now filled with a ton of cafe's (including one VanGogh immortalized) and a popular night spot.

Our bright beautiful conviently located hotel in Arles is wonderful. You couldn't ask for a better location (smack dab in the center of Arles). It has all the amenities you could ask for, plus there is a garden atrium for hanging out, dining or just writing in your journal and enjoying a glass of wine. You walk out the front door of the hotel - you see the ancient roman theatre, & you look to the right, you see the roman amplitheatre (arena), not 20 feet away from you.

Arles was a major Roman port city on the Rhone river and a key stop on the roman road from Italy to Spain, the Via Domitia. It became a sleepy little town in the 1700's. Vincent Van Gogh found inspiration here in the 1800's - and it is not hard to understand why. Not for the Roman history, which is very impressive, but the beauty around every corner here.

We were on our own for dinner tonight. Mary, Judy, Barb, Vic & I walk around the corner to LeGrillon (recommended by Rick). We run into Milde, Carol, Dan & John (sitting right next to us). They are so sweet. The food is excellent - I had the beef plat du jour - and the waiters were very good looking, which was an added bonus! :)

After dinner, Mary & I decided to check out a little of the Arles night life. The city is so beautiful all lit up at night. We made our way back to the Forum Square and had a glass of wine at the Cafe Van Gogh!! Yes, the one Van Gogh painted in that oh so famous painting, The Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum at Night. We were total tourists & loved every minute of it! We watched as the little teeny-boppers smoked their way in & out of the cafes around us. They were dressed to the nines, and all looked like they were 16 years old. (maybe that is me getting older)
We had a fun night!

We left Arles for the Riviera, but first, Daniela introduced us to Les Baux. Crowning the Alpilles Mountains, Les Baux is a medieval hilltop castle in ruins. It was carved out of, into, and on top of the rock 650 ft above the valley. From what I gather, the lords of Baux were very mean, but used to be a big power house in Southern France until the King put a stop to it around 1400 (I am sure there is a lot more detail to this story - but this is the gist of it). This was a cool site to visit! We had a catapolt demonstration (in French), and wander the grounds like we were the lords & ladies of Baux!

We also strolled thru Replublic Square, (former Roman circus, or race track). Now an egyptian obelisk stands at center, the VanGogh foundation is on one side, the hotel de ville on the other. St Trophime church on another side of the square. Our guide pointed out several locations painted by VanGogh, "The Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum at Night" & "Starry Night Over the Rhone." Our guide was excellent. She was very enthusiastic about Arles.
Enough talk - look at the beauty of this place!