Avignon and the Vaucluse in Provence

We spent the week in St. Remy following both the Van Gogh trail as well a the "Antiquities trail". These towns trace their beginnings to over 2000 years ago, and their buildings and some of the roads, are remnants of those times.  We got lost many times following footpaths out of town but somehow managed to get back safely. Here are some of the paths we followed and some scenes from this leafy and artsy town:

The house where we stayed in St. Remy

The Van Gogh trail showed a reproduction of the paintings on the very spot and gave info about it from the painter himself.

Canal path from town to our road

Took a bus to Avignon.    We ended up staying in the same hotel we stayed at 16 years ago (new management and improved presentation:  

     
 It is a convenient stop.

Avignon never gets tiresome. 

Whether we are wondering the streets and finding new places, or just sitting on a park bench, this town is entertaining.  A walk to Les Halles, a great market, revealed a lovely small square where we stopped to drink a cup of expresso and eat a ginger cookie.  

On the way to Les Halles in Avignon

We tried to visit Gordes for a day so we could hike to the Senanque Abbey, but were thwarted by a bus schedule error.  Undaunted by the set back, we had some coffee and a great apricot tart in a Patisserie in Cavaillon and took the next bus to a new town for us, L'Isle Sur le Sorgue.  I think you will all agree that this was one fortuitous mistake.

This town was built around the Sourge, the biggest spring in France.

We stayed one more night in Avignon so we could take the hike to the Abbey from Gordes.  It was well worth it.  Impressed by our stamina as we hiked 8 Kilometers during the middle of a very hot and sunny day.  (had no choice as the only bus to Gordes got us there at 11 AM and would leave at 4:30 PM).  A rocky, up and down hills GR 6 path to get to Senanque.

 Even when the lavander is not in bloom, the valley is spectacular.

We left Avignon just as it began to feel like home and are hoping to hike around Mount Ventoux and the Dentilles.  Just as difficult to get to as Gordes and the Abbey were.  We'll see if we can figure this one out.  We are confident.