10-Travel Day to Provence

Say goodbye to the Hôtel d'Angleterre, say goodbye to Arreau, and say goodbye to the Pyrenees.  

Our room was on the 3rd floor, which by US definitions is the 4th floor.  I preferred to use the elevator, but the stairs were a lot prettier.

Today we travelled from the Pyrenees to Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt in Provence.  It was a 575 kilometer trip so we had no sight seeing plans, strictly driving and most of it was on highways. Other than a gas/bathroom stop on the highway, our only side trip was into the city of Narbonne for an ice cream. 

The ice cream machine at the café, Etienne Coffee & Shop, France's equivalent to Starbucks, was broken, so instead Joni ordered a chocolate flavored Café Viennoise and I ordered a strawberry & mango smoothie.  Both were perfect on this 97° day.  

The Gothic style Cathedral Saint Just.

Construction began in 1272, but it is still considered unfinished.

We arrived at Le Mas Perreal around 5:30 PM, visited for a while with our hosts Elisabeth and Kevin Widrow, unpacked our bags, and headed to the nearby tiny village of Villars where we had an 8:00 PM dinner reservation at La Fontaine.  

Creatures of habit that we are, as well as devotees to the mantra of Joni's uncle Umbert, who said, "Stick to the tried and true, Mary." we have always dined at La Fontaine on our first night in the Luberon.  

Tartare de daurade - Groseilles - Eau de concombre - Huîle citron

L'oeuf parfait - Lard Noir de Bigorre - Purée de panais - Praliné pignons

Retour de pêche - Panisse estragon & citron - Légumes d'été de Nadèg

Cochon du Ventoux - Rösti pomme de terre - Aubergines - Poivrons grillés

Bourdalou citron confit - Fromage Blanc - Gel Timut - Amandes croquantes

Soupe d'abricots - Crumble Romarin - Glace verveine - Sarriette & Sauge

Umbert's advice was certainly validated tonight.  Our meal was incredible.