Avignon to Pomerols……a first look at the Mediterranean

September 8th

Closed up the flat ….then Annie waited for the AIRBNB person while I went to get the car …..this had to be a carefully timed maneuver as there was no parking in front of the flat, with the only practical solution being to stop the car in a one way alley…..luck was on our side, packed up and off we went…. our over nite is stop Pomerols, near the Med Coast. This will be a “run and gun” day, as we want to see a number of towns en route.

Another gorgeous day > sunny and in the C20’s ….smooth ride on the autoroute…..no the French don’t seem to drive that fast…..in about an hour we were in Aigues-Mortes …another MBV, an important port city since Roman times but now with its water access silted over, it has become a tourist backwater, albeit a very pretty one. Took a quick look around this rather laid back town….

……….no this is not a fish shop:

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Back in the car and we soon reached the Mediterranean Sea …….

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…………………………………………then carrying on to the working port of Sete, noteworthy as being the main tuna port on the coast as well as being an interesting tourist town…from our quick drive through it would have been great to spend a few days there.

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Next up was Marseillan and again an MBV….a really pretty recreational port town ……

…….took our time wandering around, visited the Noilly Pratt distillery producing vermouth since 1813….

…..tasted a nice amber and of course bought a bottle. I guess that’s why they have tasting rooms !!! After that we needed an espresso to clear our heads as there was still some road ahead of us….

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……..made it to Pomerols in good order, mostly driving through vineyards on small country roads checked into our gite: Chai Richard (actually a converted wine storage warehouse):

A short rest and off we go to Pezenas an MBV about 15 minutes down the road……now this was an awesome village…..I don’t think we have ever seen products (mostly of local manufacture) in these little shops presented/marketed as well >>> each display was impeccable and presented in such a manner as to capture one’s attention and interest…..WOW, unfortunately pictures cannot really tell the story:

A store completely dedicated to olives and their derivatives:

 and so it went…….

 

 

Yet another town that we could spend a lot more time in………….then back to Pomerols where we had dinner at Le Cowboy, a local brasserie: only ones eating in the square but the eats were good, the wine chilled and cheap!

Nitey nite from Chai Richard….