Salon-de-Provence was our first destination last week. It was Monday when we started our road trip from Spain and we chose this city as our stay for the afternoon and night. Although we were preparing with excitement (and a bit of stress) for this journey, the start of it was not that smooth. Aside from some additional paperwork that we would need (but arranged that from the car) at one moment, on the highway, we heard a loud and unexpected sound.
One squirrel decided to finish its life by jumping in front of our car. The poor guy ended up under the vehicle and hit the rear bumper - which broke because of that impact. We slowed down and stopped at the first gas station we found. Luckily, just one smaller piece of plastic on the bumper broke and flew away. We will fix it, but as it is not essential, we could continue our trip.
We could also continue despite two traffic accidents that happened on the highway. I always feel sorry and I get goosebumps from the sadness I experience when I see car accidents. But they are an unavoidable part of all trips. However, we made it to Salon-de-Provence safe. Registered in the hotel, took a shower and had lunch, had a short rest and we were ready to go to the old town.
The streets are those typical narrow ones with old stone buildings. I saw a few interesting passes, with a part of the house where you can walk under it through a small tunnel. Well, I can't explain it better, and I don't know the name of this kind of pass, but you can see it in the photo above and under.
The biggest and most important landmark in the city of Salon is the Château de l'Emperi. This castle was built in the 9th century and from the middle of the last century, it was listed as a historical monument.
However, we couldn't visit the castle from the inside because of one small detail. The day in the week.... it was Monday we were there, but look at the schedule:
Open from Tuesday to Sunday!
Bad luck for me, I guess.
Accepting the fate, of not visiting the interior of this castle this time, I turned right and saw the square and the church, and decided to go down and look around in that part of the city. The restaurant (this that was open) was full of people, but many shops were already closed. I could not purchase some souvenirs.
I liked the stroll between the picturesque streets and as I mentioned, closed shops and restaurants. I am not sure if it was the case because of the day - Monday, or simply because the owners took a day off. The shops, I am sure they were closed because of the time, as it was around eight in the evening. Still sunny but everything closed? In my opinion, it was too calm for a city.
Seems that the city was not that calm in the past as many famous personalities lived here. for example, a French astrologer, physician and reputed prophet, Nostradamus (Michel de Nostredame) lived the last twenty years of his life in this city. Maybe even in this house, according to the plate I saw on the facade. The drawing representing him can be seen on the top image, on the balcony.
Also, in the city, we can see several sculptures and artworks, representing Nostradamus. One of the examples I passed by. A bit more modern representation of this famous prophet.
In France, people like to speak in French, a very logical conclusion :))) However, I missed the explanation in English in many landmarks. When I spotted a board with info, it was mainly in French, without other languages. For people who speak fluently French, there is the info. For me, it stays a mystery, but I found fun with a lady that was drawn there.
Info about this house, who understands:
From this inscription though I could learn that the elegant lady at the door was Suzanne de Vacquerolles. She seemed lonely, so I approached her...
First I gave her my hand, introduced myself and asked her for a dance...
The music is in our head, you can imagine it, but one moment from the dance is documented here:
The dance finished, and the walk continued. Passed below this gate made in 1630...
On the other side of the street, some sculptures and more modern artworks could be seen.
The sightseeing didn't last for a long time after we saw the old part of the city centre. We went back on the same route to the hotel, and make the plans for the next day. The very calm city of Salon-de-Provence was an ok place to stop to rest, though maybe the next time I would like to see the interior of the castle so I should remember - visit it any other day just not on Monday!
Holy crap tou made it to Provence. That's awesome! Too bad about the squirrel and the fact that some of the stores and castle were closed, I hate when that happens. The dance with the mural is cool. Glad you made it to France.
Hahah, I did. I made it to France :))
Well, the next day it was already Italy. I remember we talked about Marseille and that it wasn't really your recommendation to stay. So, this year we skipped it again 😂 though Salon is pretty close to it. Anyway, I enjoyed this "nobody on the streets" place.
Hm, poor squirrel indeed, he crossed the road at wrong moment, we couldn't do anything...
That was indeed an interesting start of your trip. Poor squirrel but luckily nothing bad happened with the car. Scary those moments.
What a beautiful town, to bad the castle and most other things were closed.
The wall paintings are so elegant and stunning. The windows and doors and all the figures.
Great capture of you and the lonely lady dancing 💃🏻 beautiful!
The little streets are adorable. So very French.
Funny they didn’t have other languages on the signs. It probably isn’t a well visited area by tourists. 🤓😁😎
Have a wonderful new week and enjoy your Monday 👋🏻☀️ @mipiano
Hey there @littlebee4
Merci for checking out my post :))
How is your French after visiting Paris? 😁
I was sorry for the castle, not being able to visit its interior, but then we walked at least in the city centre. So strange that not too much people were around, right? I guess, the area in not focused so much in tourism as other bigger centres.
Have a great week you too 😊
Hey there @mipiano 👋🏻😁
I did pick up so much… and could understand quite a bit. Between the 2 of us, we were talking with the locals 😉 rather funny. Hubby was sure he would have picked up French better than Spanish, he did have it in school.
I can imagine, it was a shame. But you saw now more of the village and the cute streets.
It looked like it is not in the picture of others much. Maybe a good thing. So it keeps it’s charm.
Thank you kindly! Enjoy the day further ☀️☀️💃🏻💃🏻
ooooh... i looove that modern nostradamus!
Yeah, it was cool. And as almost no living creatures around at the streets, that modern Nostradamus counts as someone I met there. :))
But those murals were so cool! Visited a similar castle (same period ) in April here in Andalusia and at least high level they are very identical... which was an interesting find.
I think you added a part of your comment to the quote, I was wondering when I said that for Spanish people 😂
Actually, I adapted relatively quickly. In the part where I am (Costa Blanca) there are so many Dutch, English and Norwegian people so English is used among all those people who want to make some business 😁
But whenever I could, I tried to speak Spanish to learn it faster, used to read a lot of books in Spanish and talk talk talk. Plus, in the info boards, the text is (in the majority of cases) in Spanish, Valenciano and English.
Lol IO must have messed that up indeed. I adapt horribly. it´s just that at home and at work it´s all Dutch and English so the only place I practice my Spanish is en la calle. Oh and in the bar, after years I am comfortable doing what is needed, but still feel like a stupid foreigner also because few people in Andalusia speak English. So I know it´s me that has to work harder but I finished all seasons of Vis a Vis, Elite and Casa de papel already 😎
Bueno, la calle y los bares pueden ayudar jajaja
Series y libros también!
En mi trabajo yo sí que tengo que hablar castellano, doy clases así que los alumnos tienen que entenderme. Tengo alumnos que son extarnjeros y no hablan español, con ellos hablo en inglés.
Espero que me has entendido :)))
Well, back to English, there are differences between areas in Spain, I guess it depends on the number of expats living in some zones, also on tourism and the willingness of people to speak in English
Thanks for testing me I I undertsood you perfectly, it´s not the reading and understanding that I feel are my puntos debil but the actual speaking and as you mention the calles and barres are the best place to learn indeed paso a paso😉
Paso a paso. The more you free yourself to speak, easier it will go 😇
I also struggle to listen back to me, I will always find some accent that is not Spanish feeling, but I guess it's not that bad as I think. People do recognize that Spanish is not my native language, but I anyway like to chit chat with neighbors, friends, students etc.
Beautiful pictures you have here. I've never been out of my home country since I was born, but I hope I can do so someday, and share details and pictures here as well.
Thanks :))
I hope you will have opportunities to travel abroad and meet different landscapes, people and cultures. Thanks for stopping by ☺️
You're most welcome.
I can smell the lavande!
Bad luck, but being here looks like real holiday while sipping wine. 🙃
Does the lady plays also piano?
I remembered you when we were there, that you like Provence :))
No, the lady doesn't play the piano. She was just in mood for chatting and dancing :D
Anywhere you see or smell lavender. :D
looks like a lovely little town .... but where are all the people? i was a super nostradamus fan when i was a child and read up everything i could about him.... i am almost ... was almost an afficionado on his life and his predictions. old age and booze has destroyed all that knowledge {shrug}
All the people run away as Nostradamus predicted I would come one Monday, in year 2022 to that city and take photos for a platform called Hive.
They all got scared, just the drawings stayed 😂
lol .... i swear that i read that .... but it was mentioned @miguitar ... not @mipiano. must have been a misinterpretation {shrug}
miguitar? Well, I think you read mioboe! Then I would believe you and the prophecy...
So France is your holiday destination, at least the first part. A dream destination. Salon de Provence, I'm hearing about this city for the first time and seeing the first pictures thanks to you, thank you. It doesn't look crowded, which is more than pleasant, I mean I like it that way. Very decorative to put pictures of old and famous inhabitants in the windows, I liked that a lot.
I wonder if Nostradamus knew you would travel there? Have a nice holiday ahead and look out for Mondays, @mipiano!
France was the destination for the first day. Stay tuned for the rest of the vacations, though I already started to post the destinations in some mixed order 😂
The city of Salon de Provence was not crowded at all. Indeed, it was a very calm atmosphere that could be felt there.
Nostradamus for sure knew I would go there, that's why all the people got scared and just the drawings stayed in the streets (walls) 😂😂😂
Thanks @bluemoon , I also wish you nice holidays and summer :))
With pleasure and thank you!
I will read your posts with interest.
Wow what a privilege to be able to travel to France, how much architectural and historical beauty, the photos allow us to travel to France.
We have passed through France many times, I also like to visit its beautiful corners :)
Thanks for stopping by and "travel" with me to Salon de Provence ☀️
Oeeee enjoy the vacay!!
I am not surprised at all that the frenchies dont have any english translation as they tend to be a tad chauvinistic (or Proud) ;)
Poor depressed little squirrel! Take a drink on his soul on one of those nice little terrace and enjoy there, it looks really cool!
Thanks:))
Haha, depressed little squirrel, I know. We almost had to stop our journey to fix the bumper because of his depressed action 😅
I think they are proud indeed, or just don't see the need the put the things in English too :))
Interesting, beautiful and educational!
Thanks @ludmila.kyriakou
How are you? I am on holiday and kind of missing out the things but saw you had some problems with your computer? I sorry it happened to you :(((
Have a great vacation!
Thanks for support!
Now I need a new one as the computer I have now is a nerve test specialist :-)
Hahaha, a nerve test specialist 😂😂
I know, it is not for laughing, the situation, but your statement is funny 😉
I really like your reaction! 😂
😂
I hope you will be able to resolve the computer problem 🥂🥂🥂
I'll have to buy a new one when I get a chance.
Vine buscando música y me voy deleitada con esta hermosa historia que nos cuentas y tus increíbles fotografías. Que bello todo lo que has vivido estos días. Gracias por compartir parte de tu paseo con nosotros. Me encantó la fotografía donde posas con la pintura, es mi favorita, muy original todo.
Hola @nancyq
Estoy de vacaciones, por eso habrá más blogs de los viajes que de música 😉
El baile con la señora de la pintura ha sido divertida 😁
Gracias por pasar por mi publicación 👋
Such a pretty town - and the weather looks stunning !
!ALIVE
Yes, it was great weather though a bit warm that day! Thanks for stopping by :)
What a beautiful sight.
Thanks :))
Wow. Very beautiful. I would love to go to France one day.
I hope your wish comes true one day :)
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Somehow it reminds me about Diagon alley in Harry's Potter
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🥳 merci for the update :))
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What a beautiful place! Love the first pic, the growing plants on the wall are like actual art on the wall! Have fun travelling @mipiano! :)