Up with the sun about 7 - 7:30. We are the only ones left in the B&B as everyone else left yesterday. We have another great breakfast and then headed out for our adventure as laid out by Emilie.
First mission was to get petrol (gasole) for the car. We discovered that our GPS would direct us to gas stations so we went to the closest one. We tried all of our cards, but it didn't liket our credit cards and rejected all of them. We went to 3 stations with the same result. We finally found a station with an attendant and we had to pay considerably more for the petrol and we paid in cash. Mission accomplished. Where there is a will, there's a way!
Then we headed south to L'Isle sur la Sorgue. This town is an island and has TONS of water wheels throughout. We went to the Parking recommended by Emilie and it was PACKED. We went to 3 other parking areas and looked on many streets to no avail. We ended up in a narrow alley that led to a market. We were able to maneuver the small street and get out and decided that our "drive through" would have to do since there was no parking. We enjoyed it any way. Pretty town and the water wheels were interesting.
We then drove to the Coustellet Lavender museum and decided to skip that since we were not that interested in the lavender.
Next a short drive to Menerbes - a beautiful hillside town in tan stone and stucco. We walked to the top where there were beautiful views. The church was having a bake sale and I got something like peanut brittle that was a good treat. We went to a place that had truffles and wine and looked around at the truffles and in the huge cave. Fun. We walked to the old church and then made our way back down the hills to the car park.
View from Menerbes in Le Luberon
The narrow streets and a wrought iron belfry - typical in Provence
Beautiful winding streets took us up the hill to the summit where the old church stood
A garden gate framing beautiful views of the valleys and fields below
Then we drove to Lacoste, another beautiful hillside town. At the top is a chateau that once belonged to the Marquis de Sade, but it is now owned by Pierre Cardin. He has fully restored it and it looks magnificent. We saw pictures of the inside on the internet. We walked up to the top.
Ah, the steps - today was a day FULL of steps - just ask my knees and ankles!
A small pathway through the wall to get to the top of Lacoste - worth the climb
A beautiful sculpture outside Pierre Cardin's castle with Bonnieux in the distance - beautiful views
The entry to Pierre Cardin's castle in Lacoste.
We believe that is the Marquis de Sade's profile around the entry.
An interesting statue of The Marquis de Sade outside his former castle - now owned by Pierre Cardin
What goes up must come down - back down the cobble stone streets in Lacoste
A beautiful poppy seed field in almost full bloom below Lacoste - Pierre Cardin's castle at the top!
We stopped for lunch on a bluff overlooking the valley in Lacoste. It had a beautiful view of Bonnieux in the distance.
The view of Bonnieux in the distance from our table at lunch in Lacoste
Then on to Bonnieux, yet another beautiful hillside town. We were glad that we did each of these even though the hills were challenging (for me!). We made our way up the village toward the old church. Emilie had warned us that there were 86 steps to climb up to the church. Now we realize that there are 86 steps after the 286 steps you have to climb to just get to the steps to the church. The views were spectacular and worth the climb.
Part of the path to get to the 86 steps to the church
View of Bonnieux from the lookout below the church - the "new" church to the left
The bell tower that sounded the time "on time"!
The 86 steps up to the church - ugh! But I made it
The old church
The bell tower as seen from our ice cream stop
We stopped on our way down at a Glacier for a treat - café and a banana split that we shared. It was so good. At our car park there was a display of old cars - I actually took a fancy to one of them. Really neat.
After our long hike to the top of Bonnieux and THEN up the 86 steps to the old cathedral . . .
we needed a treat - a very large banana split and coffee. It was Yummy!
In Bonnieux they had an old car exhibit - I want the white/burgundy convertible
We then drove along the route recommended by Emilie. We skipped the Roussillon Ochre Path and instead went to Gordes which is rated as one of the most beautiful villes in France. It was spectacular.
The beautiful hillside town of Gordes - another of the "Most Beautiful Villes in France"!
We tried to stop in Gordes but again there was congested traffic since it was a Sunday and no place to park. Many tourists were double-parked on the side of the road taking pictures or just looking. Very congested. There was a one way road down the mountain to the valley with hairpin turns. Tim was driving and Larry was scared. One stretch only allowed vehicles to go one way, but there were no guard rails and very, very narrow roads. I tried to focus on the scenery!
We ended up at the Gordes Abbaye Notre Dame de Sananque. Monks live here and you are requested to maintain silence. There are large lavender fields surrounding the abbey. It was very scenic.
The old abbey outside of Gordes - Abbaye Notre Dame de Sananque
The lavender fields all around the Abbey. Unfortunately, they won't bloom until June
Then we took a very small road thru a gulch to Venasque. Venasque was recommended to us by Philippe. It was a bit flatter and beautifully kept. Beautiful views and of course the old fountains and wash basis.
Streets in Venasque
Beautiful fountains - none of which have "drinkable" water!
More beautiful fountains in the city - all non-potable water! For looks only.
This one in Venasque
Beautiful views of the valley from Venasque
We then drove back to La Villa Noria, had our afternoon bottle of wine - this time white. I nursed my left ankle, knees, and sore feet. We sat on our patio and enjoyed the "mistral winds" - it's a bit cooler now since it rained last night.
We dressed for dinner at Le Mas de Vignes outside of Bedoin. Beautiful view of Mont Ventoux and the sunset. It was chilly so we sat inside and had a wonderful dinner. Champagne to start - Tim had fois gras with a sweet white wine to accompany - then he had pig's cheek and I had filet of beef. My sorbet was spectacular - Melon - Pineapple with Basil - and Cherries - Yum, Yum, Yum.
We got home by 10:30 - early for us - to went to bed. Tomorrow another busy day with cooking lessons for Tim, lunch, and then a drive up the Mont Ventoux. Fabulous trip and great memories.
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