Our last stop was in Arles in Provence, possibly the most charming of all the charming towns we visited in France. It features a fairly well preserved Roman Amphitheater which has done service as a housing complex during the middle ages and is currently being used for bull fights and bull races. 
As we had a rare morning that didn’t start at 8am I was able to take a camera walk around the neighborhood. Our hotel was literally right next door to the amphitheater but the winding streets in the area prov
ed to be very photogenic. It is no wonder that Arles is home to France’s national school of photography.
Next we had a walking tour of Arles in which it was easy to get confused about the many centuries of history. We stopped by the site of Van Gogh’s yellow house which, unfortunately was too close to the train station an
d was destroyed by bombing during World War II. All around town there are signs showing Van Gogh’s paintings at the locales featured. It was in Arles that he cut off his ear and landed in an asylum. We also had a pleasant stroll along the Rhone River. Unfortunately I can’t share all the pictures here but I did like these blue shutters and awnings near the arena.
After enjoying lunch
at a creperie we boarded the bus for a trip to another charming village called Les Baux-de-Provence. Built on a hillside in and area which features houses built into the cliffs called troglodytes, our clime to the top of the village street was rewarded by an amazing view of the Povencal countryside.
We ended the day with a stop at a family run olive farm wh
ere we were treated to tastes of their olives, some tapenade, and even some of the neighbor’s wine.
modernization of the city in the late 1800s. Some buildings are more ornate than others and some have the flatiron style of angled intersections. But for the most part they have a similar look. It must have been an interesting time of building and redevelopment. It was explained to us that before elevators the choices apartments were on the ground and 1st floors. Widows lived on the 3rd and 4th floors and the cheap seats were near the top of the stairs. After elevators came along the higher floors became the realm of the rich.
Besides the Eiffel Tower we buzzed by the Louve, the Arc de Triumph, the Place de la Concorde, Notre Dame, the Musee Orsy and a few other landmark buildings and institutions located along the banks of the Seine.
as a light meal but it seemed like a full dinner to me. We had the most delicious fish I have ever eaten, spinach and a lovely sauce, no doubt loaded with butter. For dessert they brought out cream puffs loaded with ice cream and swimming in chocolate sauce. I don’t know how I am going to be able to start turning these deserts away.
Bottom line, I saw enough of Paris to be intrigued and want to come back. Someone suggested visiting in the winter to find the museums less overcrowded. Might have to give that a try.