UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France
September 18th
From Wikipedia..."World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, scientific or other forms of significance. The sites are judged to contain cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity."
There are 41 of these sites in France and it seems like we are trying to see them all in one trip. Well maybe not ALL. So far this trip we have seen the Banks of the Seine in Paris, the Climats of Burgundy, the Vezelay Church and Hill in Burgundy, the Papal Palace in Avignon and the Avignon Bridge, the Romanesque Monuments in Arles, Pont du Gard (Roman aqueduct near Arles), the Canal du Midi and he Fortified City of Carcassonne. In previous trips we have also encountered Nice, Champagne, the Loire, Strasbourg, Lyon, Versailles, Mont Saint-Michel, Saint-Emilion, Chartres Cathedral, Bordeaux and the Abbey of Fontenay. By my count we have seen about half over the 10 or so years we have come to France. We didn't do this intentionally or seek out these places because they are labeled as Unesco sites but they are all so incredible it is understandable why they have that honor and we feel so lucky to have seen them.
Before leaving the Rhone Valley we drove over to Pont du Gard, the Roman aqueduct that was "built in the first century AD to carry water over 50 km to the Roman colony of Nemausus. It crosses the river Gardon near the town of Vers-Pont-du-Gard in southern France." This was quite a site to see and so glad we braved the 20mph wind blowing us around.
After a short walk to the Pont we left for the city of Sete on the Mediterranean. We rented an apartment across from the port (or I should say, one of the ports) with a fabulous view of the harbor. It did have a price to pay...57 steps up to the third floor. My Apple Watch step tracker is loving me! Sete is a busy port city with many canals and has been referred to as the "Venice of France." We intend to enjoy the view, the seafood, the biking and the beach for the next couple of days.
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| Our Moules Frites |
| Canal du Midi September 19th From our Sete apartment we were able to ride along the Sea on a dedicated bike path for a 40km journey. We thought this would be a really safe ride but there were lots of people walking and the bikers were so distracted by the scenery we had several close calls and had to yell out some rather unflattering words to get their attention. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful ride out to the start of the Canal du Midi. The Canal runs for 240km connecting the Atlantic with the Mediterranean.        Our hosts mentioned a few specialties of the area one of which is a seafood pie that has octopus inside. We searched the internet for restaurants in the area and began walking around the many beautiful canals to find this delicacy called Tielle. Every place we went was a takeout joint until we came to the same restaurant where we had mussels last night. Once again a repeat visit. Jay enjoyed his seafood pie but the dessert was the highlight of the meal, a delicious chocolate lava cake with vanilla cream...Yum!      Flamingos (not the dancers) September 20th Apparently the ViaRhona/EuroVelo Route #17 is a little tricky getting out of Sete to the north but we were determined since I really wanted to find the flamingos that we have heard are nearby. Our ride took us from Sete north past the town of Frontignan to the Etang d'Ingril where we spotted the coveted birds. They are more white in color than their US sisters but their underwings are brighter pink. As we rode by a small group decided to fly overhead so we were able to see their beautiful colored wings and their funny pink legs flapping behind. That made my day but seeing the "jousting boats" I think was a bigger deal to Jay. I guess they have tournaments where they try to knock each other off the platform attached to the boats. To each his own...I still prefer the flamingos.    Since we had plenty of time left we headed for an afternoon at the beach. We rented chaises and an umbrella, ordered a Stella and relaxed. We actually didn't have swimsuits with us but Jay just had to swim in the Med so he donned two pairs of his Exoficio undies and went into the water. I have to say he did have more coverage than the gal walking around talking on her cell phone all afternoon in her thong bottom...and no top. 😮  Our dinner was Italian at a canal side restaurant. Jay started with a small fresh anchovies salad and I ordered my usual salade du chèvre. I also had another carbonara and again the egg was plopped on top for you to mix into the pasta. It was a fun evening and a couple of kids nearby were having such a fun time playing it made me miss the grandkids.       Before leaving Sete for Carcassonne and then Toulouse, we did a quick walk around the market.    |
