We spent our last day in France in Arles (pronounced “Arl”).  The morning started with a walking tour featuring diverse ancient architectural highlights.  Arles is the site of some impressive Roman ruins, including Les Arènes, an arena that seats 20,000 and is still in use.   Vincent Van Gogh spent time in Arles and many of his famous paintings were created there.  Sadly, today none of his originals remain in Arles.

This morning, most of our group set out on a guided walk of Avignon, nicknamed “City of Popes” because it was home to seven popes from 1309 to 1377.   They strolled through the historic center, stopped at the picturesque Pont d’Avignon and walked the Place de l’Horloge.   They continued to the renowned Palace of the Popes for a guided tour through this rambling maze of Gothic architecture that served as papal residence, fortress, church and palace.

Some then joined the optional tour to Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the afternoon, visiting the vineyards and tasting the famous wine.  I've no photos of these events because I was with the other half of our group who signed on for the all-day "Tastes of Provence" option.  

We continued following the Passage de l’Oratoire to the elegant Rue Saint-Agricol and Rue Joseph Vernet, two famed shopping streets lined with luxurious shops.  Then, on to La Maison de Fogasses for a cooking class.  With your Provençal chef, we prepared the local specialty, fougasse, and enjoyed it as a starter.  We also created handmade éclairs and concluded our technique needs a bit of work!   After a satisfying and rewarding meal, we returned to your ship to rest up for the farewell dinner tonight.  We're promised a 5 course meal.  Where will we find room in our stomachs for it?

 gWe sailed during the night and awakened in Tournon.  After breakfast we had a short walking tour of the area, learning about the local culture and the region’s wine-making traditions.  Our guide was a British woman, married to a Frenchman.  She had a wicked sense of humor we all greatly enjoyed.  

After the walking tour we enjoyed a train excursion into the wilds of the Doux Valley. We boarded the Train de l’Ardèche, a meter-gauge steam train and engine which are listed as French historic monuments.  We had panoramic views around every turn. This untouched region is inaccessible by road, making it a pristine wilderness of unrivaled beauty and clean air.  I was reminded of the Durango - Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway that Randall and I took earlier this summer.

After several nights in Lyon, we sailed to Vienne where we enjoyed a walking tour of this 2,000-year-old city in the heart of France.  We visited the Temple of Augustus, the Roman amphitheater and the Gothic Cathedral of St. Maurice.  We boarded a trolley to the top of Mont Pipet for a view over the city and the Rhone valley.  Back down the hill to the town center where we encountered the weekly market.  I know I had my camera with me, but I got so caught up in the experience I forgot to take pictures.  Hopefully some of our other travelers will share theirs when we return home.

We sailed again in the afternoon.  With a bit of a lull in our activities we took the opportunity to bring our Travel Our World group together for one last gathering.  This has been one great group of travelers.  We've formed lasting friendships.

A reminder of where we are.