Day 6: Arles and Les Baux

On the edge of Provence, Arles is well known as the city where Vincent Van Gogh created some of his most famous paintings.

Here, the remains of the old wall of Arles are across from new buildings:

Our walking tour took us to the massive Les Arenes, a 20,000 seat amphitheater from Roman times that is still used today:

 

We moved on to a bustling square to see a 15th century church called the Church of St. Trophime. While most of the others went inside, I did some power shopping.  I found a great Provencal tablecloth (my mom would have been proud!)

We walked past other enticing shops.  This one had merengue cookies bigger than my fist!

Here are the remnants of a bridge.  All the bridges but one were destroyed by the Nazis as they retreated at the end of the war. 

After lunch, we took a bus to Les Baux, a restored hilltop village.

First we stopped at an unusual multimedia art installation in a former rock quarry - Carriers de Lumieres.  This show was devoted to Marc Chagall.  Pictures were projected onto the walls in multiple directions while music played.  Classical, Jazz, even Janis Joplin accompanied the projected images.  

The original opening to the quarry:

Some of the projections:

After the show, we walked the hilly cobblestone lanes of Les Baux, finding a lovely spot to enjoy the panoramic views.  (And find some shade to escape the 92 degree afternoon!)

Back onboard our ship, we quickly recovered from the heat of the day and joined our fellow travelers on the upper deck for music and dancing under the stars.  The young man who played in the piano bar was the DJ and many of the crew members joined in.  It was great fun!!