Gordes is another perched village, high on a hill overlooking the valley below. It is very much visited by tourists, usually the streets are packed in the summer, and tourist shops abound. It can be difficult looking around as the streets climb up and down giving one an aerobic workout. I like to visit Gordes but it doesn’t have the color of, say, Roussillon. Everything seems gray as a result of the millions of rocks used to build the buildings and pave the streets.

One of the many uphill streets to climb. In WWII many in the village could look below and see the movement of the German troops which they reported to the Allies-got bombed as a result.

The church there, along with Joan of Arc, need a little work.

This shop always has cute pillows lined up on the bench in front.

Colorful little display.

I love the shape of this window and the cute little shutter that can be closed.

One of my favorite villages in the Luberon region is Lourmarin. It has been beautifully restored and I love to go to their market on Friday.

Strawberries are now out and the best ones come from Carpentras. Maurice always waits to buy the ones from France. The strawberries from Spain are huge and beautiful but, he’s right, they aren’t as sweet and tasty.

I like this ancient little planter.

Colorful plates of spices for sale.

Yellow roses surrounding an open window.

I don’t know what original use was for this stone container but love the flowers now planted in it.

About 45 minutes from Arles, is a must see site, the Pont du Gard. An aqueduct built by the Romans about 2000 years ago to bring water to Nimes, it was not only functional but also beautiful with three tiers of arches to take it across the river. It can be a little confusing as you arrive as there are directions to the left or right bank but either gives you access to the bridge with the left having and information center, some shops and a place to get something to eat. It is a lovely experience and, as I read once somewhere, the bridge is poetry in stone.

You wonder how it was put together without any of our modern machinery. The stones are all perfectly cut and fit together with no gaps.

The river is very lovely and you can swim right below the bridge if you want. We also saw canoes on the water.

The view from higher up. You can arrange to take a tour up at the top but we didn’t. Maybe someday.

One of my favorite villages to visit in the Luberon is Roussillon. Long ago they mined the rocks and soil around here to make ochre, that wonderful rusty golden color used in painting. The color is now made synthetically so the demand died down but you can still buy sacks of the powder and paint a wall with it, which I did, or use it in your own art projects. The whole town has a great rust color and is a fabulous place to stroll around, although it can be an aerobic workout as it is on the top of a hill.

A view of the church tower as we trudged up a hill from the parking lot.

An artist who is getting it down on canvas.

I don’t know why but ceramic chickens are for sale all over the place.

The best view in the village.

I made a vow to attend as many festivals this summer as I can. They are a very special part of Provence. It takes an effort though to get out there and go. The Cheese Festival in Banon sounded interesting to me but it is high in Haute Provence in Lavender country requiring driving on narrow winding roads and an hour each way for me. The lavender isn’t in bloom yet, either, something which always adds to the enjoyment of this area.
Never the less, I did drive to Banon. There was a huge crowd and everyone parked on the roads down below this perched village and took a bus up. There were all sorts of rides for kids, a stage for live music which hadn’t started yet and even a ring for what I guess would be a boxing match. The little restaurants there had put out many tables for meals and Banon was filled with families and couples getting free samples of cheese, bread and pastries and there were even some chefs there making little things to eat with cheese, of course.

Some of the cheese for sale. Banon is known for cheese that is formed into little discs and then wrapped in chestnuts leaves that are held in place by twine. It can be pretty strong stuff and often, when it is cut into, sort of runs all over the plate. Interestingly-to me at any rate-most cheese in France is made from goat milk. There is cow and sheep cheese but not in huge amounts.

I liked the shape of this cheese. It wasn’t even French, but Italian.

Some cheese from cows.

Stacks of bread to go with that cheese. They were also giving wine tastings and selling bottles of local wine.

It was a fun festival and I’m glad I went but it didn’t compare with those with sculptures of saints being paraded through the streets and traditional costumes and music but I did see alot of enjoyment by the French visiting there.

As usual, I took many photos and have so many that I want to share that I’m posting a few more.

She was getting some flowers ready for the parade. I love her gloves.

Sailors marching into the church.

I love photographing children.

Proud little boys.

St Roch. He is usually seen with a dog and a wound on his thigh.

St Eunice-know nothing about her.

St Peter.

I love the face of this admiral.

They had little girls in the parade dressed up in naval costumes carrying wooden purses.