valeria out loud

Hey WordPressers! Hope you are all well, having a great start to Fall and a fun sunny last week of September where you are now.

I am doing pretty well. I decided to work from home today as it is my first born’s big 18th birthday and I wanted to be here when she got home from school to spoil her rotten with my hugs and affection.

Guys, I currently have a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old at home; our youngest daughter turned 16 just under two weeks ago and now has a her permit! What? It is shocking to think that my children are already at this stage of their lives …. It’s crazy, especially since I’m only 28! Wink wink.

Anyways, I am here to post about our day 10 in France this was a day of transitions, as we left the enchantment of Disneyland Paris to make our way to the timeless beauty of Cassis. It was also Bastille Day!

Let’s get into it.

July 14- day 10: Avignon and the Magic of Bastille Day

Our journey began as we bid adieu to the whimsical world of Disney, boarded a TVG train, and soon found ourselves in the heart of Avignon.

A few months prior to leaving, we hired a tour guide to pick us up at the train station in Avignon where we would then be taken on a driving tour as we made our way to our next destination of Cassis. This way we could get a lot of traveling in and not waste the day driving for hours or sightless on the train. So we got the best of both worlds, a fast way to get to the southern region and then a fun personalized sightseeing tour in a comfy roomy vehicle.

The guide was a character. He was an older man who definitely was living the good life in the south of France. He was debonair, originally from Paris, spoke three languages and was just such a great guide. Also he was part Sicilian, so he decided to say we were cousins and treated us all wonderfully after that.

Our first stop on the tour, Pont Du Gard, left us awestruck. This UNESCO site, a marvel of Roman engineering dating back to 19 BCE, stood tall and proud, a testament to the ingenuity of the past. I have never seen anything quite so massive and historic and still standing! The area is still used by locals to swim, what a view!

From there, we continued our journey, driving through picturesque landscapes until we reached the quaint village of Saint Rémy. We arrived to find a carnival being set up for Bastille Day. It was beautiful. Its cobblestone streets and rustic architecture transported us to another time. We strolled through its stores buying the local lavender, soaps and linens. We sat on the square in the shade to enjoy some spritzes and ice cream, it was wonderful soaking in the Provençal atmosphere.

Next on our list was the captivating Les Baux de Provence, perched atop rugged cliffs, offering breathtaking vistas of the countryside. The ancient ruins and narrow streets added to the sense of stepping back in time. I have been to a a few medieval villages in my life, one Mont Saint Michel (northern France) and Enna (Sicily). These villages are always fascinating that I cant help to wonder what life must’ve been like and how far we have come.

As the sun began to set, we made our way to the coastal town of Cassis, our final destination for the day. We arrived at 9:45P, but the town was all a buzz with people walking around and we soon realized the holiday brought a lot of travelers to the beach town. Our Airbnb was just above the coast, perched on a hill, and it provided us with a view that could only be described as magical.

Before we knew it, the sky turned dark and we were treated to a spectacular surprise display of fireworks, illuminating the sky in celebration of Bastille Day. They felt like we could touch them they were so close. It felt like the perfect ending to an incredible day of exploration.

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What a fun day! I loved re-living this one. And guys, being in Cassis was magical that I can’t wait to share what comes up next. It is no wonder how it is a popular destination for locals.

Well, I have to jet, working is a knocking. Thank you for being patient with me getting this trip out to you later than expected as I took some time off from WordPress. This time of year is always hectic with my family and work, so finding time to write long form with pictures is tougher. I am hoping to finish this trip up soon…another seven days to go. (Oh boy). Hah. Thanks for stopping by! Talk to you soon. till next post xoxo

Thanks for stopping by! Talk to you soon.

till next post xoxo