We had visited Site Archeologique de Glanum previously however it was many years ago and I wanted to see the museum, which was relatively new. We arrived, found a park, negotiated the complexities of the parking machine, paid and made for the entrance. Unfortunately, the internet was down, and tickets were cash only. Interesting that the parking machine took card. Anyway, we must have looked downcast, and the cashier took pity on us and issued two tickets-gratis!
It all began with the Salyens, Celts, who established an oppidum, fortified town, in the 6th Century BC. Located in a natural passageway through the Alpilles, and being blessed with fertile soil and a permanent spring it was an ideal trading centre. The Greeks and then the Romans colonised the site. It was the latter who constructed the forum, basilica, thermal baths and a triumphal fountain fed by a dam constructed to the south of the site which is now a popular picnic spot.
Clambering over the ruins we met Lisa, a ceramist from California. Sometimes it is just wonderful to meet a fellow traveller and trade stories and just savour the moment when you know that the communication is understood, and the nuances appreciated.
It was at Café de la Fontaine in Maussane-les-Alpilles where we met another group of travellers. Holger and Mandy were exploring in a campervan and discovering how amazing the free campsites were. The basic idea is that you camp for free however there are products or produce to buy and you are helping the farmer make ends meet. I gather it could help if you speak the language and I think both were reasonably competent.
We had also visited Carrieres des Lumieres before but each year they have a different sound and light show on the walls of the old quarry. The trick is to get there early. John booked the first session 9:30 and there was only one tour group there when we arrived. It is an enormous space so there is no issues once your inside the problem is parking. Some walk many hundreds of metres up the hill to the quarry. We parked across the street from the entrance. Happy days!!! The production this year was L’Egypte des Pharaons with another mini show Les Orientalistes. Always a jaw-dropping experience and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
It’s France. It’s always about the food and the wine!! Eygalieres is only a few minutes from St Remy and a quiet little hamlet offering a very decent array of restaurants. We chose Le Progres and John had risotto with Gambas and I had the plat du jour which was listed as Coqulet with potatoes and salad. I asked and found out it was chicken. Turns out it is chicken less than 28 days old. Small. But not! The whole chicken was on the ‘plate’! It was all delicious, so I persevered. Needless to say, I did not need dinner that night or breakfast the following day!
