Tuesday (Paradou to Paris)…

 
With a bit of time before our TGV train in Avignon, we headed for the nearby archeological site of the former Roman city of Glanum. The grand triumphal arch and mausoleum at the entrance to the site is the best indication of how this city once looked. 

The “modern” city is Roman from the 1st century A.D. but at its base there are traces from its Hellenic days, when Greece was the big player in town. But today, we see low stone ruins that give the general features of the city: it’s market, it’s obligatory thermal baths, a spring and deep well, forum, and a temple or two. A very interesting site for a stroll. Imagine… 

Our drive to Avignon was smooth. We definitely have gotten the hang of these roundabouts! We dropped off our little gray Picasso. No tears shed for the lurchy car, but it did serve us well. 

The Avignon TGV station is new and orderly. The crowds pushing their way on the train were not orderly…nor considerate. But this is a happy blog. HUGS. 

We zipped north through the heart of France …startled grazing sheep… and arrived in Paris in no time and pulled into the Gare de Lyon. A bit of drizzle greeted us as we hailed an Uber. Off to our final stay: the chic, newly opened Les Bains, oozing with urban sex appeal. 

We wasted no time and headed out to walk the charming Marais. There was a vibrancy in the air that put energy in our steps. By dinner, we were beat, and did a simple comfort meal of mouth-watering pizzas… a scrumptious gooey egg smiling from the center.