First stop, the city of Beaune in Burgundy. The city's famous monument, Hotel-Dieu was a former hospital for the poor. The charity "Hospice" ran the hospital since its opening in 1443. Rows of beds in the "Grand Salle for the Poor". A gem inside the hospital, the famous polyptych of "The Last Judgement" painted by a Flemish painter of the time consisting of 15 panels, oil on wood. Onward to  the region of Drome where we overnighted in Romans, a city known for its tanneries. Here a church in the village. Atter our one-night stay in Romans, we looked forward to our vacation home awaiting us in LaRouviere.

LaRouviere; a village of stone in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Arriving at the door of the vacation haven on this remote street full of anticipation. The warm surprise behind the door; the charming kitchen and dining room among other romantic assets  throughout the domicile. Spacious rooms on three levels; staircase leading to the bedroom. A comfortable bathroom upstairs with all the modern conveniences; not to be taken for granted in remote villages of South France.

The bedroom; a cozy bird's nest under the rustic beams of the house's structure. Flowers and fruits were on the first shopping list to add life and warmth to our home for a week. The kitchen door leading to this romantic garden with roses and huge bush of rosemary. Romance in Provencale style! We loved it immediately! View of the garden furniture through medieval wooden shutters.

This side of the house in natural stone has a charming medieval flair. No matter which view or angle, it was pure romantic! A cheese "cage" for "Fromage"  on the fridge reminds you that you're in France. French bread to go with the cheese was plentiful in St. Genies, the next village. A colorful house in the village of St. Genies.

St. Genies, unlike LaRouviere, offers a gourmet restaurant, a bakery, gas station and a supermarket. Back to LaRouviere; one of the most attractive houses in the city of stone. A typical house in LaRouviere; a neighbor woman a few doors down on Rue Jean Moulin. Vicki enjoying the first meal and a sip of wine in the romantic garden. Even the "kids" were on vacation French style and left all worries at home, C'est la vie!

Manfred mapping out the plan of outings for the week. Seté; one of the first cities we visited with a charming harbour. Manfred in his element in the charming city of Beaucaire; enjoying the "Moules" (muscles) with Frites (fries). The biggest city we visited was Montpellier on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Unidentifiable blossoms resembling bright red bottle cleaning brushes blooming in the middle of the city.

This golden arch, one of many impressive landmarks in the city. Impressive buildings throughout the city with 17th century architecture. Uzés; a more intimate city in size,  with barock charm. The tower of the church is in original form from the 12th century. The original Roman church however was replaced by this 17th century church.

At the end of the day, a breathtaking sunset of reds and blues painted the sky. A new day for outings; today's plan, a countryside sightseeing drive. Wind blowing genista's perfume into the air. A typical scene in the countryside. Windmills were found in almost every country village. The Provence is countryside stretched for miles, as far as you can see.

Romantic alleys of trees are so typical in South France; giving welcomed shade and instant coolness in the hot temperatures. Flowering genista line roadsides everywhere hinting of Van Gogh's inspirations for his works. Poppies add a striking color contrast to the rocky terrain. Today's outing is the famous, "Pont Du Gard" a monument of Roman archeology. This 50-kilometer long aqueduct was built by Romans towards AD 50 to transport water from Uzes to Nimes.

The aqueduct is built over the River Gardon, stretching majestically across it. Up until Napolean III's era, the stones were simply held together by their exact precision. Later a substance was used to bind the stones. Manfred is simply amazed. A marvel of Roman archeology to design and build  the construction stone for stone by hand. Today tourists marvel at the beauty of this magnificent monument, but few comprehend the miracle of Roman archeological skill and human labor necessary to its existence. Onwards to more countryside and nature; the Provence is also a horse-lover's paradise.

This trio of white beauties surprised us one morning as we set out. Their beauty in the morning sun was captivating. This chocolate beauty seemed to be showing off his beautiful profile, posing idly for my camera. These three white beauties harmonized with the landscape and together they became one. At the end of another adventurous day, another striking sunset of reds and blues. A new day; and a visit to the "City of Stone", Les Baux.

Inside this ancient city of stone in the mountains is a tourist's paradise of modern shops. The city is actually built into the stones of the moutains, like caves, causing the whole city to be joined together as one big conglomeration of stone. Manfred looking into the Vale of La Fontaine from inside the city; a staggeringly gorgeous view. Rooftops in the conglomeration of stone, with the sky as its ceiling. We found a cozy Creperie with an outdoor patio to enjoy my chocolate-banana crepe and Manfred's with strawberry marmelade.

A bell ringing from this ruin as a remnant of the past pays tribute to the city's ancient history. One artisan offers dolls depicting southern France's lifestyle with attention to small details bringing the dolls to life. A tower on St. Vincent's church decorated with gargoyles is called "The lantern of the dead". It used to hold a flame marking the death of a Les Baux resident. Vicki's red t-shirt adding the only color in this street of stone in Les Baux. Moving on to another chain of mountains, the Cervenne. Here a farmhouse in the mountains close to our picnic spot.

We discovered the perfect spot for our picnic in the mountains under this bridge. This enchanting spot with a trickling water fall was a chance discovery. Manfred found a shady spot while I bathed in the sun. Vicki enjoying french bread and a glass of french wine in a plastic cup. Back home in LaRouviere; Manfred enjoying the cozy corner of the garden with bamboo windchimes blowing softly in the wind playing  pleasant tones.

Vicki sunning in the garden, dwarfed by the bush of rosemary. My wild flower arrangement with poppies and daisies in the tin watering can accenting the blue table was an absolute eye-catcher. "Prost!" Manfred proposing a toast at our last meal in LaRouviere. Manfred's appetizer; shrimp-kabab a'la herbs of the Provence, french bread and french wine. As main course, Manfred serving his fish-kabab hot from the skillet.

Vicki, saying Goodbye to LaRouviere from the vineyards. Saying "good-bye" to a neighbor on Rue Jean Moulin, whom we nick-named the "Oma" meaning Grandma. One last look at LaRouviere. Horses continue to graze, life continues on in this remote village of the Provence. Homebound, we planned a stop at Suze LaRousse; a Chateau from the 12th century in the Drome region. Reminiscing of our visit to Suze LaRousse 15 years ago, our memories lured us back to this familiar spot.

The castle was just as we remembered it 15 years ago as we took basically this same photo then. A knight's view from the castle on guard for probable intruders. Leaving Suze La Rousse, we spotted a field of poppies. Now my trip to the Provence was complete! A sea of red faces dancing in the wind like butterflies; a sight that thrilled me like a child, wondering if Emerald City was on the other side. We both agreed; life in the Provence is like a picnic in the sun!