Maussane

Slow to get started today, we had gotten used to the relaxing pace of the last few days.  Of course, once we got moving there was much to see!  Last year we happened upon a fun restaurant called Aux Ateliers when on a quest for a tourable olive processing farm.  We headed there for lunch but arrived a bit early so we made a reservation and walked toward the small village of Maussane.  

The requisite bell tower and town square were present and soon filled with people having lunch or cafe.  We strolled along the tree-lined main street past restaurants, shops, a fish market, wine stores.

In an alley I couldn’t resist photographing the beautiful irises.  We found an interesting structure which we surmised was a spring fed bath that Connie described as an “infinity pool” since the overflow went to a drain that we assume was recirculated.  It looked to be ancient.  And lo and behold, not too far long we came across another market–much like the other markets, but the venue beneath the towering trees was glorious.

On the return walk back up the main street toward the restaurant we found Le Jardin dus Alpilles, a market full of beautiful fresh vegetables and fruit, with wine organized by AOC, canned goods, a cheese and olive counter–everything you’d find in a big supermarket.  I found the courgette ronde particularly interesting–round zucchini…great for stuffing!

We returned to Aux Anteliers for an enjoyable lunch, complete with a bottle of local rosé wine and a delicious dessert of fresh strawberries with verbena glacé (ice cream) and chantilly cream.  After dessert we were presented with a giant glass dish of meringues. The grounds of the restaurant are loaded with fun yard art but we didn’t think we could get any of it home, so we left empty-handed.  The pétanque court was empty too.  Driving home we were near Les Baux so we explored the area and found perfect spots for photographs.  I can’t imagine what it must have been like to live in the days when Les Baux was thriving.

Dinner was designed to clean the refrigerator, but we didn’t succeed.  It is still quite full of all of the produce we’ve purchased at the markets and we likely won’t eat at home for the remainder of the trip.

Nancy