Arles and Le Camargue

This morning, we set off for the Camargue - the  delta region between Arles and the Mediterranean, with its wetland area sporting distinctive flora and fauna. 

The big three to see are the Black Bulls, the white horses and pride of place the flamingos.

The area teems  with bird life - an ornithologist's dream. 

The area is vast and its chief town at the most southern end is Les Stes Maries- de - la - Mer. It is your typical tourist town reminiscent of Irish sea - side towns, we of a certain vintage holidayed in, in our youth - before we all headed abroad on holidays in search of the sun.

The Park Naturel Regional de Camargue  was reasonably busy as it attracts people on activity holidays - walking, hiking and cycling are extremely popular and many areas can only be reached on foot or by bike! 

The lagoon was quite choppy, though it is some miles from the Mediterranean and there was a bracing breeze to fill the lungs. We had a pleasant walk along the promenade.  

We returned to Arles by another route, which necessitated a 5 minute ferry crossing and once again negotiated the narrow streets of the historic city enroute   back the hotel. One needed a code to access the street as it is 'pedestrian only' except for access to the hotels. 

This afternoon, we devoted to sightseeing in Arles. It is a small town with a population of 55,000, but a very important centre of Provençal culture. Van Gogh priduced many of his greatest painting here, because of the brilliance of the light. We visited the Van Gogh foundation 

but was disappointed to discover that the gallery had only one of Van Gogh's paintings: 

An exhibition of 31 of his works here is imminent!! The foundation was promoting the works of 20th century painter, the Italian Georgia Griffi. 

This visit was followed by visits to the  amphitheatre 

constructed in the the first century AD, it became a fortress in the Middle Ages and later it was almost destroyed as town of 200 dwellings was built from the stone of the amphitheatre. Restoration began in 1825 and is ongoing!!

The Roman theatre 

built by Augustus 27-25 BC suffered a similar fate  and by 5AD , it's stone was being used to build churches before it disappeared beneath houses and gardens. Excavation  also commenced in the 19th century. 

We continued to Place de la Republique 

which Place is dominated by a spectacular Hotel de Ville 

for such a small city and l' Eglise St - Trophime built in the 11th century, had an intricately carved portal 

With a vast, cool, stone interior, a welcome relief from the warm, Provençal sunshine in the Place outside. 

We returned to the hotel and en route purchased some savon ( soap) , particular to Provenance, smelling of roses, lavender, strawberry and mojhito among others!!