Something old, something new

I've been posting photos of lots of structures ranging in age from several hundred years old to a thousand years old, but the south of France is not without new structures as well.  The town of le Grande Motte, on the Languedoc coast, was built in the 1960's and 1970's as a beachside destination resort.  The plans were developed in 1963, with a goal of creating a modern art city, with easy access from larger cities such as Montpelier and Nimes.  The giant pyramid-shaped buildings can be seen for quite a distance along the coastline.

Nice place to visit on bicycle, but not really any place I would want to stay.

Inside the walls

Today, we returned to the coast to cycle to, through, and around Aigues Mortes, the walled city.  Previously, I have posted photos of the outside of the walled city.  To complement those, I am posting a few photos taken inside the walls of Aigues Mortes.

Aigues Mortes was where Louis IX of France (St. Louis) launched his boats when he sailed off on his crusades.  As you might expect, he is honored with a monument in the middle of the town square, which is named for him.

Here are a few other views from Place du St. Louis, inside the walls.

Chapel of the Penitent Blancs

Looking north

Looking east

Looking south

Looking west

Things are not always what they seem

We are surrounded by lots of really old structures, many of which have great histories behind them.  But we also occasionally see things that aren't exactly what they seem.

The first night we were out walking around after 9 PM, the street lights were on.  They are beautiful to look at, in a style appropriate for the 19th century (or earlier), similar to a gas lamp.

Once they came on, we realized that they were all high-tech light fixtures, using energy efficient, super bright lamps, maybe LEDs.  So the style that blends so well with the old surroundings is really quite modern.

Yes that's a video camera on the corner of the building

Another illusion that I encountered was a building that from the front looked as substantial as any other.

But looking up at it from one side, it is clear that the top two stories can't be more than 4 or 5 feet wide along that side.  But there are the same large windows across this portion of the building.  This might be a well-lit closet, or just a false front or façade.  I should have guessed that the French use this building technique, as their word for it is already a part of the English language.

It seems that appearances are very important around here.

At least, some of the time.

A little culture

This morning, we walked over to the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh Arles, to take in their current exhibition.  It is entitled "Soleil chaud, soleil tardif" (Hot sun, late sun).  It featured several Van Gogh paintings as well as number of Picasso paintings, and works by a handful of other artists that tied in with the theme, all of which were on loan from other collections.

The first featured artist was Adolphe Monticelli who was a big influence on Van Gogh.

Don Quixote

Van Gogh's works were prominently displayed next. All of these were painted in or around Arles.  Forgive me for errors in the titles of some of the paintings.

Haystacks

Railway carriages

Wheat field with Sheaves

Peasant in a sun hat

Then Picasso.

Peasant in a sun hat

Shirtless peasant in a sun hat (?)

Of course the exhibition was more wide ranging than the few works that I have posted here.  Always interesting to see their shows.

Cycling to Mejanes

This morning, we headed out to cycle along the Camargue up to Mejanes.  The spot where we turn around is a big manade, where they have an arena.  They put on shows with their bulls, and rent horses for rides around their property.  They have a small train that transports guests through the property as well.  Large tour buses regularly frequent the place.  But for us, we go for a café break.  After that, we turn around and head south to Stes. Maries de la Mer.

Along the way, we often see bulls and the white horses that the Camargue is famous for.

Tareau (bull)

Cheval blanc (white horse)

And we see (and hear) lots of interesting birds.

Shelduck

Oystercatcher

Ibis in a rice field

Flamingo

Today, while we were drinking café, a group of young women wearing flowers in their hair sat down at the next table.  Bori dared me to ask them about the flowers in their hair, in French.  I did, and learned that the one with a few yellow flowers in her hair was getting married (she is mostly out of view in this photo, between the two women in red), so this was to celebrate her upcoming wedding.  I wished her Bonne Chance (Good Luck), and they all started laughing.  Perhaps if my French were better, I could have thought of something more profound.  Ah well, C'est la vie!

Saturday market

Today was a beautiful spring day for the big Saturday market.  It was clear and warm.

We set out with a shopping list, and a heavy handful of euros, 2-euros, and smaller change.  Coins were easy to spend, although it wasn't always easy to count out the right amount.  However, most merchants are willing to pull the right value out of whatever you have on hand.

The produce was abundant, and quite lovely.  Countries of origin are provided for most everything.  For French cheeses and meats, the region of France is listed.

A variety of produce is available

Dry goods are also abundant

Sausages

Cheese

Olives

Spices

Beautiful produce

Herbs and lavender

A shark in the fish market

Lots of other fresh seafood on ice  (without fishy odors)

A nice day cycling

This morning, we drove to le Grau du Roi and rented bikes.  One of our favorite rides is the bike path along the canal up to Aigues Mortes.  Our tradition is to stop for café inside the walled city, then bike around the walls, and return to the ocean to ride on other trails until we have burned up enough energy to eat lunch.

Here are some photos of the walls of Aigues Mortes from today.

The Port de la Marine, on the south

Port des Moulins, on the south

Port des Moulins

Tour des Bourguignons, at the SW corner of the walled city

Looking east from the Tour des Bourguignons, along the southern wall

Continuing to look east along the southern wall, to the SE corner

The Tour de Constance (NW corner of walled city), completed in 1248

A charming alert on the bike trail.  Bori saw one rabbit.