Avignon, France: Olive Oil Tasting, Wine Tasting, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gourmet Food Tour, and Pont du Gard

 

A special occasion called for a special dinner.

We had such a fabulous time exploring Provence.  Olive oil tour and tasting was on my list.  We were incredibly fortunate that we arrived in time to watch olives being harvested at Mas des Bories. We had a tour of the property, saw how olives are "picked." and finished up with a tasting.  We brought bottles of olive oil back to the boat and managed to bring one tin home to California.

Olives being sorted. 

Wonderful stone structure used in the olden days.

We timed it perfectly to see how grapes are harvested.  Huge nets are placed under the olive trees.  Then a long armed vibrator is used to shake loose the olives.

We got to see so many ripe olive trees as we walked around the property.

A little orchard art

For years I've dreamed of wine tasting at Chateauneuf-du-Pape.  Our first tasting was at Caveau Xavier Vignon-Domaine de Beaumatric

We did the wine tasting with platters of food which rounded out the experience

The remains of Chateauneuf-du-Pape at night

Another wine tasting at Domaine de Marcoux

The beauty of wine tasting (or olive oil tasting) for us, is that we can buy what we like and take it back to Rabelo.  Our memories will carry us beyond the immediate experience.

Pont d'Avignon was a medieval bridge across the Rhone.  Only 4 arches survive.  In the 17th century it was decided to stop repairing the bridge because of the costs.  

We did a walking gourmet food tour of Avignon with "Julian".  It gave us the opportunity to see the city and sample various foods along the way.  

Beautiful cheeses

Great display of vegetables

Part of our food tour was tasting chocolates.  Oh my, they were delicious.  Of course we had to buy some

Avignon turned out to be a charming city.

Delightful sights to see wherever you looked

Popes Palace, Avignon

Pont du Gard is a perfectly preserved Roman aqueduct built in about 19 BC.  It is considered one of the most remarkable surviving Roman ruins anywhere.  

Pont du Gard spans the Gardon River

Pictures don't do justice to the magnitude of this aqueduct.