Wednesday is market day in Saint Remy En Provence a small town about twenty minutes from Noves, always up for a market so off we went. The town itself is a nice provincial typical French ville, narrow streets, lots of restaurants and cafes. We got there fairly early around 9-30am and the markets were up and running. Lots of clothing,bags,jewellery and some very nice fresh food stalls. we had no idea where we were going so we wandered down this line of stalls and up the other. Penny spent some of her birthday money and I bought a shirt. The fruit and veg looked great and we ended up buying some really nice cherries, I then made the mistake of buying 200g of salted caramel nougat, had no idea how much until the vendor wanted €14, it is very nice nougat just as well.....
We then headed for Les Baux de Provence a village perched high on a spur of rock and voted one of the most beautiful villages in France. However just a few minutes out of Saint Remy we came across some well preserved Roman ruins, an arch and a memorial. we parked and went and had a look, bit difficult to work out what things are as the French are not big on providing sign boards with any other language than their own. Strange really as they encourage tourism, especially of the American style.
Saint Remy markets
Roman Memorial
Roman Arch
Across the road there looked to be more so over we went. Well there were some more ruins but the main item was the mental hospital that Van Gogh entered in May 1889, Saint Paul de Mausole. It is still there and is still a hospital for the mentally ill. Van Gogh lived and worked here for over a year and painted several canvases here. Around the grounds are representations of his work, with English translations, one in particular of olive trees and the hills behind stands at the spot where he painted it, see the photographs below, I had to take the photo in front of the main stand of olive trees as they have grown and you cannot see the hills but to all intents and purposes this is where Van Gogh stood. Amazing....
Olive Trees with the Alpilles in the Background by Vincent Van Gogh
Saint Paul de Mausole in the background
On to Les Baux, it literarily stands on a rocky outcrop, the castle which stands at the highest point has been there in one form or another for two thousand years and although built with massive walls has actually been taken in sieges. it is an truly rugged place with stunning views and beauty .
Olive Trees with the Alpilles in the Background by Peter Bate
Les Baux De Provence
Cave of the Troglodytes