Vacation In Provence: Arles

Another one of day trips from Puyvert was to Arles. I had been to Arles twice before in the summer for the annual photo festival Recontres des Photographie and was happy to return. 

 

Arles is an ancient city dating back to Roman times and still has an intact arena and an amphitheater still in operation after 2,000 years. In 1888, Van Gogh and Gaugin lived as roommates for two months in Arles and both painted some of their most iconic paintings. 

We strolled through the ancient part of the city, passing through Place de la Republique, which has a Roman obelisk made of granite in the center, which was located in the 1300s. 

On the lively Place du Forum, Le Café Van Gogh was a magnet for tourists and I couldn’t resist taking a photo of the façade painted in sunflower yellow. 

Hungry for lunch, we spotted an appealing looking Moroccan restaurant right near the amphitheater. It was on a busy tourist street but that didn’t deter us, especially since they had an outdoor table for four in the shade. I had a delicious pastilla (phyllo pastry stuffed with chicken, and raisins, Vincent and one friend had vegetable tagine with the most glorious vegetables, and my other friend had sautéed sardines. We all agreed the food and the experience was excellent, and that’s saying a lot, since we were four foodies, with two great home chefs. 

This may sound strange, but one of my favorite places in Arles is the asylum Van Gogh recuperated after he cut off his ear. Today the building is a cultural center and a venue for the Recontres des Photographie festival. The inner courtyard is lovely and serene, with a pretty garden in the middle. There’s also a café in the courtyard with a nice, mostly vegetarian menu. 

This is the last of my Provence series. Did you enjoy it? 

Here are links to articles I've written for other publications. 

I was commissioned by American Express Travel Magazines to contribute a few short pieces about Paris boutiques. 

https://www.amexessentials.com/top-independent-boutiques-europe-shopping-tips-2020/

How I Started Three New Lucrative Careers After Age 50

https://thesavvy-retiree.com/make-money/how-i-started-three-new-lucrative-careers-after-age-50/

10 Paris Rooftop Bars And Restaurants With Fantastic Views

https://www.travelawaits.com/2551943/paris-rooftop-terraces-with-fantastic-views/?pv=related_list

I am happy to have the prolific author John Baxter as my guest on A Bite of Paris. John has written many books about Paris including The Most Beautiful Walk in World, We’ll Always Have Paris, and books about the neighborhoods of Paris. Montmartre, Saint Germain des Pres, and Montmartre. John has also written two books about food in France, The Perfect Meal and Eating Eternity. 

John and I had coffee outdoors at the pastry shop and café, Gerard Mulot, in Saint Germain des Pres. 

Please watch the video at this link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpPCLR-6ACg

For more about John and to purchase his books go to https://www.johnbaxterparis.com/

Please share this video and don’t forget to subscribe to my You Tube channel.

 

Comments

[Catherine Polinard Rawdon]

Your blog is amazing. You are a wonderful writer and photographer. Thanks for sharing.