No rain for 5 months!

Thursday 28th September 2017 - Beaurecueil.

The didn't intend to go near Marseille but the sat nav had different ideas.  We get some unusual routes because we set it to avoid toll roads, but even so, we didn't expect to go near Marseille.  It actually took us right into the city centre (by that time I had given up thinking of anything other than following the sat nav).  It probably isn't the most scenic city we have been through (understatement) but there was one lovely view as we crossed one of the main streets of some grand buildings and a monument on top of the hill, which I think is the belfry of Notre Dame de la Gard.  I think Marseille's best feature is the old port which we didn't see, so I shouldn't judge the place.  We just don't enjoy big cities too much with the camper van.  Our actual destination was a camp site about 8km outside of Aix en Provence at Beaurecueil.

This is what met us on our arrival at the site....

That is Mont Sainte Victoire.  It dominates the area and it is gorgeous from all directions.  We may climb it tomorrow.  It is 1011m high.

The site is nice and peaceful and the man who booked us in told us they hadn't had any rain for 5 months.....and I was worried about the forecast for tomorrow!  I suppose we can be fairly confident that it will be fine!  As per normal the toilets are unisex and a little dated.  The area is very rural and there don't appear to be any local shops although there is a Lidl about 5km away.

After a pate, tomato and bread lunch we cycled into Aix en Provence.  The route we cycled is called Rue de Cezanne.  The artist was born in the city and painted around the area, he also died nearby. It is a big town, of not a city?  The centre is filled with small pedestrian shopping streets all with lots of character.

Me and Paul Cezanne.  No, I'm not doing an impression!

Major excavations in one of the main squares.  I think there is a Roman history here but the town picked up in the 15th century but again later was overshadowed by the growth of Marseille.

The clock tower in the Place de Hotel de Ville.

Today's competition is Spot the Demi Blonde?

I know I haven't showed many pictures of churches, not because we haven't been going in but because most of them have not been very decorative.  So for those who enjoy a good church here is the Eglise de Saint Esprit.

We are saving the cathedral for another day.

We enjoyed our cycle back and will come back to Aix on Saturday for the markets, which we believe are numerous and worth seeing.

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