France
This year we return to a France visit in the spring, and Italy in the Fall.
We fly Air France from Vancouver to Paris. The non-stop flight is a great way to start the holiday. the increase in airfares is the first part of the trip that needs recovery. Our apartment is in the 10th arrondissement - we have stayed here before and find it is easy to get around the city from this area.
We will travel to Lyon to continue exploring this city. We loved it in 2025 and are looking forward to returning.
In Lyon we pick up our car and then drive to the Occitanie Region. Based on the small town of Saint-Bauzély, we found Occitanie to have much to see and a slightly lower level of tourism - aka - crowds.
From Occitanie we travel to Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur staying in the town of Cheval-Blanc as our base.
We conclude our time in the south of France with a few days in Nice.
We conclude our time in France by travelling up to Paris CDG where we catch our flight back to Vancouver.
Located between Nîmes (20 km south) and Uzès (10 km north). Originally built in the 12th century around a castle and surrounded by ramparts, Sanilhac was protected by three towers. Of these structures, only one defensive tower, the "Tourasse," and the castle keep remain. Today a 17th Château de Sagriès stands in the town.
Located near the Pont du Gard. When you cross the current 1994 bridge, the remains of the first bridge built in 1830 are visible on the left-bank. It is an old medieval village with ramparts, towers.
Behind the ramparts the town has a maze of narrow streets and small square. There are three castles.
Medieval village built of orange limestone. Three ancient washouses.There is no maze of narrows streets, but the main street is reported to be interesting. 1 km south of town there is a ruined section of the Uzès-Nimes acqueduct. The trail to it begins at the Misserand Lavoir.
Ancient fortified town between Avignon and Arles. 15th C chateau, 12th C church, medieval river bridge. The 15th C churches has Cordeliers Cloisters. Market day is Tuesday. Tarascon is joined to the town of Beauclair by a bridge. Beauclair is said to be more scenic.
Train to Montpellier is starts with a small regional train at Saint-Genies-de-Malgoires. There is a connection in Nimes.
Small medievl town about 80 km (1 1/2 hrs) from Saint-Bauzély. Abbaye of Gellone, interesting streets, small waterfall in the town. Warning, some reports this town is over-run with tourists. The Abbaye has cloisters but a large part of the cloisters were sold and removed during the French Revolution and shipped to New York where it is now the "Cloisters, a museum in New York.
A perched medieval village, a village of character. A town of small medieval streets, two castles, a clock tower that still rings out the hours. The Sabran Gate, under the clock tower, is the only one of the five doors from the medieval walls that has been preserved.
The 12th C Castle of Fay-Perault, also known as Montanègre, at the top of the hill. Destroyed in 1628 with thirty-meter high wall remaining.
To access the village, you need good shoes and climb at least sixty steps. Be careful in summer, it gets very hot very quickly. Think well of hats, caps and especially have a water bottle.
The medieval city walls surrounding the city are well preserved. From the photos I have seen, the totally walled town is quiet the sight. Aquae Mortuae, means "dead water", or "stagnant water", this comes from the marshes and ponds that surround the village.
Located in Saint-Laurent-d'Aigouze, the Carbonnière Tower. Surrounded by salt marshes, the fortress was the only passageway into Aigues-Mortes.
About 63 km (1 Hour) from Saint-Bauzély, is the small village of Montclus. In Medieval times, the MNons Serratus Abbaye (13th C) was an impossing castle. Could be a challenge, articals indicate signage to the town is difficult.
Located just over an hour from Saint-Bauzély, this town is said to be charming. The old castle overlooks the town, the church dates back to the 12th C and there is a windmill from 1873.
Town is located North/East of the Pont-du-Gard
If making the drive to Vézénjan, the N50- goes through Bagnols-sur-Cèze (located 27 km from Orange. The photos of this large town make it look interesting. It has a large business area surrounding the Medieval Centre with pedestrian shopping streets. Place Auguste Mallet, the photo above, is the centre of the old town. Old doorways, hôtels particuliers, Rue Fernand Crémieux has the 14th C Abbey des Bernadines de Valsauce with its impressive 14th C doorway.
About 57 km | 1 hour from Saint-Bauzély, Barjac is an exceptionally well preserved medieval town. The restored 17th C chateau at the top of the hill looks good.
Located about an hour from Saint-Bauzély, is said to be a pleasant town to visit. The town is more active with a local population than tourists. Tuesday is market day.
Check out row of colorful houses along the Place de l'Esplanade with the Medieval Duges tower on the hilltop behind. Medieval feel is the narrow streets circling the base of the bhill between the town center and the old hilltop site of Duges. Narrow and dark streets.
Town is located North/East of the Pont-du-Gard
Saint-Gilles is about 45 minutes from Saint-Bauzély. The Abbaye of Saint-Gilles is a significant site.
Missed on previous trip, only 30 minutes from Saint-Bauzély, this old town held the castle the bishops ofUzes fled to during the Black Plkague. It is described as a town lost in time. It is just a quiet old town, no bakery, no shops. Lovely bell tower with an iron campanile, charming area - Place de la Dance.
Located about 30 minutes/30 km from Saint-Bauzély, and just a little North/West of Uzés. Montaren and Saint-Médiers were united in 1815 under Napoleon. Traces of the ramparts remain. Today there are medieval Saracan towers along with other defensive towers standing.
Located 32 min/34 km from Saint-Bauzély, Conqueyrac is a dessereted medieval village, a ghost town, just past the town of Sauve. There is still a municipal page and a number of vacation rentals being note. The Chapel Romane St André is reported to be a jewel. No noted sights to see, I think just a vibe of the remaining buildings.
The last visit was unsuccessful with the race event. I am going back. Watch for the "Circuit du Vieux Cavaillon" signs when in the old centre. St. Véran Cathedral has cloisters. Monday is market day.
Town dates back to 1055. It climbs a small hill facing ochre cliffs of Roussillon. Cobbled lanes, steps, old stone houses, 19th C mill, Church of St John the Baptist has walls covered in trompe l'oeil paintings, monumental sculptures of men in wood and stone.
52 km/1 hr from Cheval-Blanc is Viens - a charming village, circled with 11th & 13th C ramparts. Old stone houses, remodeled 13/14th C castle, old fountains and wash houses.
Located 12 km, 20 minutes from Cheva-Blanc, there are the remains of the castle, ramparts and Saint-Antoine chapel all from the Middle Ages. There are fountains, a wash house also. A section of the Plague Wall passes through the village and the Carpentras Canal. Maybe check out Sourmane-de-Vaucluse further down the road.
A peaceful farming village in the Luberon, suyrrounded by vneyards, orechards and market gardens. There are only a few houses around the town hall. But, only 17 km/25 minutes from Cheval-Blanc. Authentic rather than tourist stop. There is an 11th Century church. Above the village is the 1846 Badelle Mill. Web image searches shows some good scenes.
30 km/45 minutes from Cheval-Blanc. Small hill top village, no crowds, some fountains, stone-houses, remains of the ramparts, at the top of the village is the castle (private and not open). Probably a stop on the way vs a destination. It is further down the road from Lagnes and the town of Goult.
