It was another discovery day today, exploring new places. First on the list was Valreas. Now, we've been here before, but never on a market day and and we'd actually never seen the old town.
This is a very interesting market because, although slightly larger than Ste. Cecile's market, it caters hugely to Muslim ladies, with one whole clothing end devoted to their style. I'm never sure if it's an Algerian or Moroccan presence we're witnessing, but whatever it is, they seem to like Valreas.
The old town is beautifully flowered with immensely-tiered arrangements lining the streets.
Just off the main square, we were trying to make our way up to the clock tower, which we now know is inaccessible, when we came across an alley teeming with little cats. They were very timid and scurried through a tiny hole as we approached them. Someone had left water and food for them, but this was a good reminder that in France, you don't own cats, they own you.
As the market disassembled, we departed for lunch in St. Paul Trois Chateau. We thought we'd try the place we'd been to with Peter & Margaret called Jardins des Saveurs, but alas, it was not open for lunch.
Instead, we settled for a cafe in the main square called Le Comptoir des Arts, which I wouldn't highly recommend. Having said that, Dawn had a fabulous salad with fresh tomatoes and buffalo mozarella. My veal, however, was overcooked and tough. Anyway it was a beautiful day to eat outdoors and the setting was very pretty.
Following lunch, we explored a bit more of the old town and then headed down the valley to Suze la Rousse. As you drive into town you immediately wind around the remains of the ramparts for the castle which has an imposing view atop the village.
We opted for another touristy activity and toured the chateau, which is also home to the University of Wine. Wouldn't you love to say you're attending the University of Wine, situated on the top floor of a 13th century chateau in a place named Suze la Rousse?
Once we started to tour the sparsely furnished rooms, we had an epiphany.
As we've been sitting on the end terrace of Cairanne - we told Peter we need a name for this house (Mas de Viales always sounded so cool) - we been staring out across the valley and seeing what appeared to be an imposing chateau in the distance. When we looked out the window of the chateau towards Mt. Ventoux, what did we notice prominent on the horizon? Cairanne! So, mystery solved. We've been staring at the chateau of Suze la Rousse. And in this picture, we're staring back at Cairanne.
Back in Cairanne, Dawn did a few chores, while I catelogued my photos and started today's blog edition. This is, as fas as I can determine - an equitable division of labour. It was time to quickly strip down to cooler clothes, also interpreted as fewer clothes and enjoy the remainder of another fabulous Provencal day. No more summer, however and that bums me out a bit, only because it means less daylight. But like I said earlier, it looks like we'll not lack for sunlight for the next week or so, so, enough said.
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