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Southern France Logs - Sightseeing
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Posted By: zoetemintje
Activity: Sightseeing
State: Southern France
City: Avignon
uzes
May, 2007

Experience

Repeatability

May: 30 M. west of Avignon is Uzes. Overnighted at Mercure, 125$ . Population is 9,000 but with all the tourists the center is filled. Loads of people visit this intimate medieval town where 12th to 18th century white stone houses face narrow cobbled streets. Many outdoor cafes and restaurants because of sunny May climate. Since it is touristy and 60 miles from the Mediterrannean sea it is also more expensive. A must, must for those who love to see, smell and buy is the famous classy saturday open market thru town streets. Come before 8 am because parking is difficult. Provence items to buy.
Posted By: zoetemintje
Activity: Sightseeing
State: Southern France
City: Clermont-Ferrand
le bourbonnais
May, 2007

Experience

Repeatability

With car thru France where most visitors don't go. The "Bourbonnais" is a rolling green sparsely populated region in central France where economy is not developed. Land of big white cows. X/XIII century old castles located in little villages or seen far in immense fields. Many castles can be visited. Not much happens in region. Rivers, camping, cheap sleeping, 2$ bottle wine, yammy food. Capital: Moulins, 26,000 pop.city. Has nice church of Holy Heart with bright colored windows and medieval flemish type triptych in side chapel (only open pm). Eat lunch under the Belfry. Worth a 6 hour visit.
Posted By: zoetemintje
Activity: Sightseeing
State: Southern France
City: Nîmes
bull fighting
May, 2007

Experience

Repeatability

Last week-end of May Nimes'bull fighting feria is the biggest in Europe.Went to see with Philippe and Francoise G. an evening performance in its Roman Amphitheatre. Six bulls each weighing 500 kilos are to be killed. Three matadors each kill two bulls. I find it rather gory and sad that these vibrant,innocent beasts are going to die because the fight is uneven with the picador and matador always winning. But there must be something in this sport because 20,000 spectators were applauding it. Young bulls also run in the streets excited by cute running men. There is a fair and merry go arounds.