Having learned about the Train Fantôme we wanted to find out more. So this morning we drove down to Sorgues just north of Avignon. This is the station the 700 deportees had to walk to after they crossed the bridge at Roquemaure. 17 kilometers in the August heat.
We chose a country route along the invisible Ouvèze. Fields of sunflows cheering the landscape. Some had already faded and were baking their seeds with bowed heads.
The entry into Sorgues we chose was less than salubrious - truly awful grim social housing. Grey concrete blocks with tiny windows and washing hanging from satellite dishes. Scary. But we gradually got into the centre which was smart and spacious. Parked in the huge car park in front of the old Hôtel de Ville (now partially a fancy wine bar!) and followed our noses to the station.
And there in front is the memorial sculpture to the 700. Very impressive.
Next search was less successful. We have long wanted to find the place where our Ouvèze meets the Rhône. The map shows this is on the outskirts of Sorgues in the middle of industrial estates. But could we get there? No. We tried several times to get down lanes between fenced off factories and got nowhere. I even have a screenshot of the location! Ah well.
Being so close to Avignon and in need of a new loo seat, we detoured to IKEA. Success!
