Visiting Aigues-Mortes:

Friday we headed off to visit this walled town, built in 1245 for Louis IX as his port.  He had promised to go off on a crusade to the Holy Land, to reclaim it from the infidels.  It took about 3 years to prepare for this expedition. He did not have a port in the lands he controlled, so ordered the construction of this walled town to provide access to the Mediterranean.  

We travelled by tram and then bus, visiting many of the seaside spots along the way, giving us a chance to see the area along the coast from Montpellier east to this town. First was La Grande Motte, a 1960's 'moderniste' resort with unusual architecture - free flowing design, multi-storied rounded triangular apartment buildings. Then on to Le Grau de Roi, more traditional apartments along streets parallel to beach. Then along miles of sand dunes and beach clubs before the ramparts of Aigues-Mortes came into view. 

Once there and inside the wall we were both surprised to find so many tourists.  Not sure what we were expecting but it wasn't hordes.  There were many outdoor restaurants around the plazas and down the little side streets and lots of little ticky-tacky tourist stores.  We actually had to wait for a bit when we arrived to get seats for lunch.  After that we headed off to walk the ramparts.  This was lovely, the view great, we could see all around the town, inside up and down the streets, outside the fields and then the etang, (salt marches or Camargue).  Much salt is produced here.  If you use Baleine salt in your kitchen, we went right by its warehouses.  Big piles of salt waiting for the next part of the process.  The marshes have a pink tinge to the water which has something to do with the salt concentration in the water.  There are pink flamingoes on the water and we are surprised they are not pinker.  Only slightly pink which has something to do with what they eat.  Couldn't get a picture of them as they were too far away. 

We had audio guides to listen to the history as we walked the 1.5 km.  I found it a bit too much to hold that and try and take pictures too so gave up on the audio guide.  

This is an outdoor toilet on the wall.  The hole opens up and "whatever" drops down below to the ground.  The nice thing about this particular one is that it has a cover, so if it's raining your head is covered.  But imagine the draft from below!!!

A telephoto picture from the wall of the bells on the church.  These bells remind me of Spain.

Lunch today was pretty but not as tasty as others I have had.  We both decided it was the heavy- handed balsamic vinegar - too much of a good thing.  I think this reflected the busyness in the kitchen. Once again I had my favorite salad: chèvre chaud (warm goat cheese).

The little pkgs are phyllo pastry wrapped around the goat cheese.  Every restaurant has their own approach to this salad and I need to keep looking for the best one!! It's my mission this trip.

Bisous!  (Kisses, apparently hugging is not done here!)

Marion et Wendy