During last night's dinner we cruised slowly up the Rhone to Avignon, where we docked for the night. This morning another equally well-informed guide took us on a walking tour of this walled city. Avignon has the most complete and well preserved city wall in the region, dating back to medieval times, but the first settlement has been dated at 600BC. In the 14th century, Avignon was home to the Papal See, and we toured the Popes' Palace from that time. For Western Australians, with a history of 200 years, it's mind-blowing to walk around a city where the buildings began more than 2000 years ago, and even the most recent seem to be around 500 years old.
This afternoon we indulged in a tour of - guess what - a WINERY! Now I know we can do that at home, but who could resist a tour of Chateauneuf Du Pape. Tasted 3 wines, all very pleasant, the third a standout - but at the risk of sounding parochial, we do have at least their equal in Australia, and at far more reasonable prices.
Also walked around the aqueduct build to take water from Nimes to Avignon, another mind-boggling engineering feat of it's day.
I have to say all this activity has taken place in temperatures of more than 30C, and we might even come home with a tan.