8/21-8/31

When we flew to France we went to a city called Aix-en-Provence in the region of Provence.  It is pronounced like this . That was our home for almost 2 weeks.  The city has been here since the Roman times which was a very long time ago, 123 BC. And everytime they dig for a new building here, they find more Roman ruins, old buildings or structures from way back then.   It has natural springs too, which are like fountains that come out of the earth that were built by nature. There are also a lot of churches there and a lot of old fountains that still work very well. There is a lot of castle-like buildings here.  Most of the streets here in the historic center are made of cobblestone and they are narrow. Only a couple are wide like the Cours Mirabeau street. Thats where a lot of old famous writers and artists used to hang out like Paul Cezanne and Emile Zola. At the end of the Cours Mirabeau is a big historic fountain called the Fontaine de la Rotonde and it was built in 1840.  It’s in the middle of a roundabout. Which reminds me that you should never talk to your parents when they are driving in a roundabout or you might crash or miss your turn or you might get stuck in the roundabout for a long time.  

Even here there is a Farmers Market!! But the only thing that’s different is that; it is not called “The Farmers Market” it is called; “The daily market or MARCHE”. And of course you know daily means it goes on every day, which it does. We go every morning and get fruit and vegetables and eggs and salami and the best one, truffle cheese!!  The peaches here are really tasty! They also sell fresh fish. And there are always lavender stalls. Lavender is very famous in this part of France. The market always smells so good and has sooooooo many bees!!! Bees are also inside of the shops and bakeries here, too. So many bees everywhere in Provence!!

Two days ago we visited Avignon.  It is a town in South France on the Rhone River.  We went to a big castle where six Popes used to live, the Palais des Papes.  A Pope is a holy person who runs the whole Catholic Church. The ones who lived in the Palais des Papes were Benedict XII, Clement VI, Innocent VI, Urban V, Gregory XI and Antipope Benedict XIII all lived there in the castle. It was built in 1252.  It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a while in history the Popes lived in France and not Italy. When we go to Italy we will see where the Pope lives now. I’m going there with my grandma Anni.

Also in Avignon is a famous bridge. Saint Benezet Bridge.  I know about this bridge from a song that I love. It is called On the Bridge of Avignon or Sur le pont d’Avignon.  My brother used to play it on the piano. This is how it goes, here.  We walked on the bridge.  The bridge doesn’t go all the way across the river because it was damaged by floods.  

Next stop, the beaches of France!!!  I’ve been soooo excited to go to the beach since Cascais because it makes me feel like I’m at home in Hermosa.