vagabond days

Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I have just returned from the best day of my life! I traversed the entire western side of southeast France! Stéphane planned my visits, Laetitia handed me the keys, and I was off. I headed for several petites villes in the moutains. Oh! How absolutely glorious! I am a firm believer that any stress I ever develop can be immediately relieved with a trip to the mountains alone. There is a serenity to experience in a mountain adventure that is unmatched by any therapy, counseling, or massage, although a massage is almost comparable.

The winding roads, incredible fields of sunflowers, and wonderous landscapes, and my Ipod took me first to Rognes, voted one of the 200 best places to visit in France. I roamed through the village center, enjoying the views of the churches, the famous cave (wine cellar and winery), and the pebbled streets.

Rognes was just the first stop before I discovered Cadenet, a hillside community with a gorgeous church in the center of town. Interestingly enough, the churches are the center of the towns in Europe, but they are only used for tourism purposes. They are a sort of iconic landmark, not a house of the Lord.

From Cadenet, I smiled all the way to Lourmarin, where the enormous Chateau Lourmarin attracts tourists from all over the world. I am quite certain it was the most elaborate and magnificent house I have ever entered. Several owners have claimed the Chateau over the years, but it rests with the community now, hosting arts and entertainment events on the Terraces and welcoming the public to climb its double stone staircase. I rested here and enjoyed the most delicious panini and dessert from a brilliant little patisserie.

Next, Bonnieux, where the Musée de la Boulangerie (Museum of Bread) adorns the main street in in the village. Situated on a hillside, Bonnieux was a wonderful little spot in the country. I'm pretty sure that I lost my breath when I looked over the stone wall of the most enormous Church on earth and saw the ENTIRE southern France in front of me! Splendid is such an understatement for what I saw, but it is the only word I can conjure at the moment.

Bonnieux took me to Lacoste. There are no alligators in Lacoste, so I am still wondering why the signature logo for Lacoste clothing is an alligator? It was a gorgeous hillside village, though. Dad, you would have loved it. Everything was made of cobblestone. Lovely.

After passing through Lacoste, the country roads took me home. I walked around Aix for a little bit and then I headed back to St. Marc, where I am going to sleep soundly but quickly, for tomorrow I am headed to Cassis, a coastal town near Marseille. Another day-long adventure is in store.

Tunes for today: KT Tunstall, Matt Wertz, Iron and Wine, David Gray

*note: click on city names for more information on the places I visited*