We left on Saturday on the midday train from Aigues-Mortes to Nimes. A bargain at 1 Euro. We had a couple of hours in Nimes where we had planned to visit the impressive Roman arena however the site was closed as the Pentecost Festival was on.
We wandered around the streets taking in the street entertainment but as we had a train to catch to Lyon we missed the parading of the bulls through the streets and the dancing horses.
We spent 2 nights in Lyon and purchased a Lyon City Card to access museums, trains and trams and a river cruise.
Unfortunately as Monday was a public holiday, many museums were closed but we did get to see the impressive Gallo-Roman Museum, the ultra-modern Musee des Confluences and the Museum of Miniatures and Cinema. All very different but very interesting.
The Romans founded a town on the banks of the Saone river in 43BC. They built high on the hill overlooking the river and the Museum is built into the hill overlooking the Roman theatre and Odeon. The ruins were only rediscovered in the 1970s and are still used for performances once a year.
The Musee des Confluences tells the story of mankind and the history of life. Beautifully presented exhibits and an app to tell the story, we had time for only a small sample of the displays.
Warren was keen to see the Museum of Miniatures and it was also fascinating.
It houses many original Hollywood costumes and miniatures from movies such as Batman and Independence Day. There were film clips to show the magic of Hollywood and a room full of miniature scenes.
We also did a walking tour of the old city and a cruise on the Saone River down to where it joins the Rhone (The Confluence) and this gave a different view of the city.
Before we knew it our time was up and we were packing for the final trip home. It had been a great holiday with old and new friends filled with amazing sights and experiences.
Morning tea was at Le Cailiere where there were signs for the bull run through the streets the next day and a bull fight in the arena. Lunch was at Saint Laurent d’Aigouze where there is a bull ring right next to the church.
Next stop is the Tour Carbonniere built as a watchtower and toll booth in medieval times. On the way we saw flocks of flamingoes in the salt marshes that are all around this area. Aigues-Mortes means Dead Waters referring to these many marshes around the town.
Back to the barge for a short stop to allow those who wanted to swim to change before heading south the short distance to Le Grau du Roi on the Mediterranean Sea.
Some swam while we wandered around and bought an ice cream as it was a very hot afternoon.
Friday night after dinner we headed into town with our new American friends to check out a bar recommended by Marco. Tac Tac Bar has hundreds of bottles of liquor all around the bar. There are separate menus for beer, wine and spirits and the barman seems to know where to find each bottle. A great way to finish this trip.
On Saturday morning, we said our goodbyes and headed into town to look at the Tour de Constance and the old city walls. These were built by Louis IX to protect the only Mediterranean port that France had at the time. Over 1600m long, they are well preserved and you can walk all around the ramparts. Unfortunately we ran out of time as we had a train to catch to Nimes and then Lyon for our final 2 nights in France.
We cycled into town and met Martine, a local guide who was taking us for a walk around the old town.
