Western Provence & Rhone River Delta

Mas de Peint (Le)

Best Of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Hotel le Mas de Peint"

Quote:

When my wife and I talked about travelling to southern France, Gwen reached into her voluminous clippings files and produced pages torn from Gourmet Magazine a few years ago. The article described Hotel le Mas de Peint, a hidden treasure at Le Sambuc, in the heart of the Camargue, Mediterranean land at the mouth of the Rhone River. Gwen was sure this destination should be be on our final list.Some 400 years ago, ancestors of Jacques Bon built a home on untamed land south of Arles. Jacques followed his family’s rice growing tradition but moved into breeding of sheep and cattle. Now, with architect wife Lucille, Jacques has converted part of the ranch to an elegant guest enclave. Eight bedroom...Read More

When my wife and I talked about travelling to southern France, Gwen reached into her voluminous clippings files and produced pages torn from Gourmet Magazine a few years ago. The article described Hotel le Mas de Peint, a hidden treasure at Le Sambuc, in the heart of the Camargue, Mediterranean land at the mouth of the Rhone River. Gwen was sure this destination should be be on our final list.

Some 400 years ago, ancestors of Jacques Bon built a home on untamed land south of Arles. Jacques followed his family’s rice growing tradition but moved into breeding of sheep and cattle. Now, with architect wife Lucille, Jacques has converted part of the ranch to an elegant guest enclave. Eight bedrooms, three suites and a central hall with dining rooms and lounges accommodate guests who travel here from around the world.

The rooms are luxurious and comfortable. Food reflects high standards of the Bon family and is prepared and served by staff who would be comfortable in the finest restaurants of Paris. Enjoy breakfast here — this is not a traveller's typical early day meal. We lingered over sumptuous French foods and freshly made coffee, brought by a friendly server in the very sylish dining room.

Décor of the interiors reflects ranching traditions of the Camargue region but does so with grace and sophistication. Simplicity is the theme but everything is complete and combined with extraordinary care. Not one thing out of place.

Outdoors, guests can sit by the pool or stroll through the meadows beside an extended pond. Or, as we did, explore by car, including the salt lagoons that produce fleur de sel, sold for extravagant prices back home by gourmet grocers. It is an easy drive to Arles where you should spend a day exploring outstanding Roman and Romanesque monuments. We enjoyed lunch on a plaza overlooking the amphitheatre, dining on Mediterranean specialities.

If the timing is right, Jacques Bon will invite you to the bull games on his ranch. This is not Spanish style bull fighting. It is the more gentle French adaptation that leaves no injury to man or animal.

Here is one cautionary note about wildlife of the Camargue. Despite time spent in Northern Alberta, we have never encountered more aggressive mosquitoes than those that chased us back to the car from the Mediterranean seashore. Next time, we’ll be equipped with strong insect repellent.

The south of France is filled with treasures. Hotel le Mas de Peint is one of those. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 4, 2006

Mas de Peint (Le)
13200 Arles France
Provence, France
+33 (4) 90 97 20 62

Cheer!
Flag

Pont du Gard

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction

Pont du Gard Photo - Pont du Gard, Vers-Pont-du-Gard, Languedoc Roussillon

Quote:

Forty kilometres north of Arles is one of the world's most photographed artifacts. Pont du Gard, built 2,000 years ago, was part of a 50km system carrying water to the city of Nimes. It was added to UNESCO's list of world heritage sites in 1985.Construction of the bridge was begun by the Romans around 40 AD. It is about 900 feet long and 160 feet high and is made of shaped stone, assembled without mortar. In the 18th century, the middle level was widened to create a road bridge.This structure is iconic. It is featured on 10-Euro paper currency and it was background in a series of television spots for the modern Volkswagen Beetle. The magnificent arches are pictured in countless tourist...Read More

Forty kilometres north of Arles is one of the world's most photographed artifacts. Pont du Gard, built 2,000 years ago, was part of a 50km system carrying water to the city of Nimes. It was added to UNESCO's list of world heritage sites in 1985.

Construction of the bridge was begun by the Romans around 40 AD. It is about 900 feet long and 160 feet high and is made of shaped stone, assembled without mortar. In the 18th century, the middle level was widened to create a road bridge.

This structure is iconic. It is featured on 10-Euro paper currency and it was background in a series of television spots for the modern Volkswagen Beetle. The magnificent arches are pictured in countless tourist brochures and school textbooks as an example of Roman engineering.

We were completing a circle tour that began early that day in the Camargue. We had spent many hours exploring Avignon but the bridge over the River Gard was a can’t-miss site. We arrived as day's end approached and were treated to a golden show of sunlight that emphasized each stone arch of the famous structure.

Work in recent years made the area around Pont du Gard very accessible and comfortable for visitors. A museum provides comprehensive displays about the importance of Roman aqueducts and their construction. Three major themes are developed with impressive multi-media presentations. The first discusses Gallo-Roman civilization and the importance of water to everyday life. The second theme discusses engineering and construction of the aqueduct and bridge while the third represents the maintenance and evolution of the structures over time. There is also a program LUDO, specifically for younger children. The facility offers a family package that provides access to all programs and exhibits for a very reasonable 20 Euros.

Particularly for those interested in history and engineering, Pont du Gard is worth a half day visit, longer if you care to enjoy detail of exhibits in the Museum. Of course, you will find the usual food and souvenir outlets and a large free parking area. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 4, 2006

Pont du Gard
Crossing the Gardon River
Near Remoulins, France

Cheer!
Flag

Les Baux de Provence

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction

Approaching Village Photo - Les Baux de Provence,

Quote:

Les Baux de Provence is a small village about 20km northeast of Arles. Sitting on a rocky outcrop of the Alpilles mountains, it is today a tourist destination rather than an ordinary village. Nevertheless, the spectacular setting creates a worthwhile visit, many consider this one of the prettiest spots in France. Viewpoints here offer wonderful views of the vineyards and olive groves below and the plains to the south.As usual, this building site was chosen because it was defensible, high above the surrounding area. Les Baux de Provence was settled in early history and served as a base for powerful feudal lords of Provence in the Middle Ages. Many historical elements and architectural treasures...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 5, 2006

Les Baux de Provence
Grand Rue
Provence, France 13520
+33 (4) 90 54 34 03

Cheer!
Flag

Avignon

Best Of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Quote:

At the western edge of Provence, 35km north-east of Arles, is Avignon, another sun-drenched French city. It is perhaps most famous for Le Palais des Papes. Constructed on the Rhone River in the 14th century, the Popes’ Palace is the largest Gothic fortress-palace in Europe. It is a World Heritage site of UNESCO and is one of the most visited monuments in France.First developed by Celts, Avignon became an important Roman city. It passed through many ruling hands before purchase by the Papacy in 1348. The area stayed under church control until annexation to France in 1791. French born Pope Clement V had moved the entire papal court from Rome to Avignon in 1309. The papacy continued there unt...Read More

At the western edge of Provence, 35km north-east of Arles, is Avignon, another sun-drenched French city. It is perhaps most famous for Le Palais des Papes. Constructed on the Rhone River in the 14th century, the Popes’ Palace is the largest Gothic fortress-palace in Europe. It is a World Heritage site of UNESCO and is one of the most visited monuments in France.

First developed by Celts, Avignon became an important Roman city. It passed through many ruling hands before purchase by the Papacy in 1348. The area stayed under church control until annexation to France in 1791. French born Pope Clement V had moved the entire papal court from Rome to Avignon in 1309. The papacy continued there until the election of Italian Urban VI in 1378. However, a faction of Cardinals repudiated that appointment and named Clement VII to rule the church from Avignon. This created the Papal Schism when two Popes, even three for a short time, led Christianity until Church leadership reunited in 1417.

During the period of church dominance and for a period after, Avignon was a wealthy centre of commercial trade and banking. The church spent lavishly and the city’s general prosperity encouraged development of education and the arts. This tradition continues to modern times. Avignon is home now to about a dozen fine museums and collections and boasts proudly of its architecture, theatre, music, and dance.

Avignon has an area population around 150,000 and is much more than a picturesque destination for tourists. It is an active, vibrant city that has successfully protected its ancient heritage. This is a convenient spot for travellers because many of the attractions are within the old ramparts. East and west of the city are free car parks with convenient shuttle buses providing transport to the old town. The area is easily explored on foot. Pedestrians can wonder through narrow streets and alleys, or enjoy the expansive plaza outside the Palace of Popes. Countless restaurants, many with open-air patios, offer dining for every budget category. Of course, shopping opportunities abound for those so inclined.

We began by hopping aboard a tour train that looped around the old town with a smiling young guide providing multilingual commentary. This gave us a sense of the area and helped us plan our walking tours. The Popes’ Palace is large with many parts open to visitors. One can easily spend 3 hours at this site alone.

Another attraction to which every tourist points a camera is the Pont Saint-Bénezet, known through the old children’s song “Sur le Pont d’Avignon. Built in the 12th Century, this bridge suffered frequent flood damage. Today, only four of the original 22 arches remain. Nevertheless, words learned in 8th grade French class came quickly to mind.

Avignon is a fine destination in an area rich with places worth a visitor's attention. With a circle tour of only 150km, sightseers can enjoy Arles, Nimes, Orange, and Avignon and many picturesque villages along the way.
Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 19, 2006

Cheer!
Flag

IgoUgo

Provence Journals

Upload Photos