Dentelles de Montmirail, Gigondas, Vacqueyras et les Environs

Our first day in northern Provence was spent touring the area.  First we stopped in to see Crillion-le-Brave which is a beautiful old town with a 360 view of the area.

We spotted the "Backroads" bicycle touring company which had camped out at the luxurious hotel that now dominates the entire little town.  We were wondering how many of the cyclists were brave enough to attempt the climb up Mt. Ventoux.  This may be the next "bucket list" challenge if Laila, my partner in all kinds of  crazy adventures, is game for the challenge! 

As we drove to the top of Mt. Ventoux it was an exercise in dodging the hundreds of cyclists who were attempting the 3,500+ ft climb over a 12 mile distance.  The steepness reached as high as 6 degrees which is a tough ride on a bike.  

The award for reaching the top by bike or car was the sauage stand offering over 20 kinds of saucisson.  We opted for the sanglier (aka wild boar) sausage for our upcoming picnic.

Franck has a knack for finding hidden gems and this one was our picnic stop.  It was a small stream rising out of the hills hidden from the road.

We enjoyed our baguettes, cheese, saucisson...

...and fresh peaches... 

...not to mention wine which we chilled in the fresh waters of the stream.

After lunch we toured the wine areas of Gigondas and Vacqueyras.  

Clementine, the proprietor of Le Mas St. Jacques had provided us with excellent restaurant recommendations.  The night before we had a stunning dinner at La Gousse d'Ail  (Garlice Clove) in Bedoin.  Our main courses cost an incredibly low 10 Euros each and were outstanding.  This night we opted for a "gastronomique" dinner at Le Mas des Vignes.

In addition to the oustanding cuisine, Le Mas has an equally outstanding view facing West into the sunset.

The sun is so strong in the evenings that the restaurant equips its clientele with hats which the waitress eagerly donned on Lance (that night she donned all sorts of gestures towards Lance!).  

Brigitte's dessert won the prize for best looking.  

All around it was a great ending to a great day!