Campingtrip in France, 1988 Photos © R.Leeuw

Campingtrip into France, doing a little culture, enjoying the French cuisine and often escaping the heat at the seaside or in the pool (I left those images out, they all look the same don't they?). The above image was taken from the ramparts of a medieval citadel at Sisteron, high up from the valley.

We used a large tent which could easily accommodate four people, but it took ages to set it up. The car is a Mazda 626.

This was the view from our campground at Sisteron.

One of the more modern parts of the town of Sisteron; we were looking for refreshments as we were suffering under the heat.

Alley in ancient parts of Sisteron, center of town.

The Verdon Gorge a.k.a. Grand Canyon du Verdon.

We made our way down to the river at the bottom of the canyon. The Verdon Gorge is narrow and deep, with depths of 250 to 700 metres and widths of 6 to 100 metres at the level of the Verdon river, and 200 to 1500 metres from one side of the Gorge to the other at the summit. The water has a remarkable green colour, the intensity was looked upon with distrust and the french vert-don means green poison hence the name Verdon! WIKIPEDIA

Entrevaux was a sweet, walled, small town. The car has to be abandoned as most streets are too small to fit a car. From Wikipedia: Following incursions of Saracens and the razing of the old town of Glandèves, the more defensible site of mediaeval Entrevaux was founded in the 11th century on the rocky spur in an angle of the river; the oldest recorded name is Interrivos and dates from 1040. Between 1481 and 1487, Provence became a part of France. In 1536, Entrevaux fell to the troops of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, betrayed by its lord Jacques Glandeves; half the population was massacred (coll.). The remaining population staged an uprising, cutting the throat of the governor, and offered the town to the French Dauphin, King François I. In recognition of this, Entrevaux was given the Charter of Avignon and declared a royal town of France and its inhabitants exempt from taxation (Le Monti). In the 16th century, the old cathedral of Glandèves was finally abandoned as the official bishop's seat and a new cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, constructed in Entrevaux. In 1658 a bridge guarded by towers and a portcullis was constructed over the Var; this is the modern Porte Royale. In 1690 the military architect Vauban drew up plans to further fortify the town, due to its strategic position guarding the valley of the Var and on the border with Savoy. Although not completed in full, the citadel perched high above the town was strengthened, particularly on the more accessible side closest to the hilltops, and a protected walyway constructed up the side of the mountain from the town. Two small forts were provided toprotect the town, and its two main gates - now called the Porte d'Italie and the Porte de France - strengthened. Entrevaux was briefly besieged in June 1707 by the Savoyards under Chevalier Blaignac, but resisted and was relieved by the French forces. The citadel (note on the photo, in the background, high up - a steep 30 minutes walk from the village) was last used during World War I as a prison for German officers.

Streets of Entrevaux

Tourists and locals both seek the shade...

Entrevaux

Camping "Vitou" on the Côte d'Azur. The 'Mistral' came out in full force one day and we relocated the tent to the trees out of the open field. from here we undertook several trips to the waterside (Étang de Berre) but also to the castle at Tarascon and Les Baux but my camera jammed and photos were lost.

In case you are wondering: that beer is mine!

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