Another grey day but we couldn't stay in again so it was off across the Rhône to Gard and a different landscape. Gard is more wooded, higher and has a rufty tufty reputation. But the houses are lovely- all neat limestone and proper looking. The nominal destination was Goudargues, a village on the river Cèze but we were open to any passing interesting detour.
First one presented itself at Valbonne. A former Charterhouse hidden in a wooded valley. And it as pretty enough with coloured glazed tile turrets and vineyards.
There was also a sculpture trail of bamboo and pebble structures that lead into a botanical walk. We did a bit of it but the paths were a touch muddy after all the rain and we were not properly shod for hiking! Jolly pretty vines though. Really sturdy with giant leaves that were turning variegated orange, red and pink (see flickr).
Goudargues was reached at midday. It is very picturesque with branches of the river running down the streets and cafés alongside. But also somewhat quiet today and we weren't that hungry. The lavoir sports a handsome froggy.
On to Barjac where we spent a delightful week four years ago. Still lovely but also strangely quiet. Tuesday seems to be the new Monday in
these parts. And finally back down the Ardèche to Aiguèze, one of
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. These villages are often hilltop settlements with craft shops and overpriced crêperies, empty in winter. Not so Aiguèze. It sits on a cliff overlooking the final stretch of the Ardèche just before it joins the Rhône at Pont St Esprit.
It has its fair share of eateries but they looked more normal than most, albeit all closed! Well it was by now 3pm. But there were people about
who looked like they live here and work was going on here and there.
Lots of art studios too, including this creeper- clad house with harlequin windows and an air of gothic decay.
