We have been to Vaison but not Romaine.

Monday 9th October 2023. Gigondas.

We continued southwards….and with a lack of creative thought we aimed to stay again at the village of Gigondas (east of Orange). We stopped for coffee at St Paul Trois Chateaux. We could only count one chateau….but it was a nice little place for a visit.

We arrived at Gigondas for lunch and set off on bikes in the heat of the sun to Vaison la Romaine….a place we have previously visited. We remember the Roman bridge and the medieval town and castle on a hill.

We tried to avoid the hills but only found a higgledy piggledy route through random villages and on some main roads.

When we arrived we realised that there were extensive Roman ruins of a theatre, forum and dwellings that had escaped us on our previous visit. So, we had missed the ‘Romaine’ part of town! Maybe I thought it was a place where they grew Romaine Lettuce? As you may know I am a lettuce variety expert, after yesterdays shopping debacle!

The bridge is an original Roman construction. not bad ehhh, and it still takes modern traffic.

We also went into the Medieval town with its narrow streets, churches and Chateau. Fantastic views all around, including Mont Ventoux.

The day was finished off with a walk around Gigondas’ nooks and crannies and a perfect sunset to boot!

We can now say we have seen both parts of Vaison and Romaine!