plane trees - montpellier 2

The same place as the last one.

 

plane trees, Montpellier

Many cities in France have tree-lined avenues, to provide shade in the summer heat. Here, we were sitting at a cafe in the southern city of Montpellier, preparing to embark on some vigorous shopping.

 

On the ramparts - Aigues-Mortes

A rare photo (for this blog) of Caroline and Jessica, walking along the southern wall of Aigues-Mortes.

 

Rooftops - Aigues-Mortes

Aigues-Mortes (literally "Dead Waters") was built in the 13th century as the French Port on the Mediterranean. It is an almost rectangular walled city. The walls are intact, and visitors can walk around the ramparts, as we did. All the buildings inside, except the churches, are 3 stories at the most, leaving views across the rooftops for those walking the walls.

In the 1200s, France controlled only a narrow strip of land leading to the Mediterranean sea. It was a smaller country than it is now, controlling neither Provence in the south-east nor Languedoc, Rousillon and Aquitaine in the west.

Aigues-Mortes did not last long as a port: the silting of the Rhone delta saw to that, leaving the city bypassed by history after about 1300.

 

Restaurant - Beziers

Just behind the Cathedral. The sun was shining, but there was a strong, cold wind.

 

street lamp, Beziers, 10 April 2006

We have just returned from 10 days in France, so I will be posting several photos from that trip. The further south we went, the more advanced Spring was. Beziers is almost on the Mediterranean coast in South West France.

 

woods near west marden 2

The same scene as before. This flash of sunlight came and went so quickly, I only managed one shot.

 

woods - near West Marden