Some years ago we traveled through southern France for a few days, through vineyards and villages along the Rhone River. Then, as now, I did small watercolors on postcards during the trip and mailed a number home to friends and family. It's fun to get something with a foreign stamp.
These three postcards went home, one a view of the city of Avignon, one a look at a place made famous by van Gogh, and one the namesake of a favorite wine.
Avignon was the seat of the papacy for most of the 14th century, and what remains of the period, including its famous bridge, much of which was destroyed a century or so earlier. This view of Avignon is from the Rhone River, where we were passing. The four arches are all that remain of the bridge. Beyond you can see a crenelated wall and a couple of medieval towers. Avignon is a beautiful place now, though once decried (14th century) as defiled and foul.
The cafe in Arles which was immortalized by Viucent van Gogh is still in operation, though mostly one supposes as a tourist attraction. Still, I sat nearby with virtually the same viewpoint as Vincent, with the small remains of the Roman town--a column you see on the right, part of a building wall, shows where the forum of that town once was.
The last postcard in this small collection is a view of the ruins of a famous castle, built a few miles out in the more healthful countryside north of Avignon. Chateau neuf du Pape was literally the Pope's new chateau, up in the clear sweet mountain air. Today the chateau remains only as a ruined tower, but with the village of the same name at its foot, below the brow of the slope at the left. The vineyard contributes grapes to wines that are justifiably famous, delicious and memorable. Far in the distance a stripe of light shows the location of the Rhone River.
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| "A View of Avignon" |
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| "The Yellow Cafe, Arles" |
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| "Chateau neuf du Pape" |
