House sitting in the south of France has enabled me to see so many beautiful places! Arles was a feast of colour and sunshine.
After a leisurely lunch under a shady tree, we strolled along the River Rhone to admire the view that inspired Van Gogh’s painting, The Starry Night. I was privileged to see the painting at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, a few years ago. It is spectacularly beautiful, but somehow, smaller than I expected. Perhaps that is because of the vastness of the gallery and it having its own spacious wall. (The painting is actually 74cm x 92cm)
We explored narrow lanes, little boutiques and beautiful architecture. We even saw a wedding, with lots of bright petal confetti and a beautiful couple emerging from the church! There were just not enough hours in the day to see everything in Arles. Everywhere I looked there was a potential photograph!
Van Gogh spent barely 18 months in Arles, and yet his legacy is everywhere. What a memorable day!
I had no idea Montpellier would be so beautiful! It is a leafy enclave with little cafes and restaurants along interesting, narrow streets filled with boutiques and stylish shops. The Place de la Comédie is the centre of the lovely old part of the city, home to the opera house, magnificent statues and a cosmopolitan throng of people sitting outside in the sun.
