France Again - Part Deux (sommore UNESCO Heritage sites)

    Up and early, we took the public bus to the ancient town of Uzes. We spent half the day there exploring the town and it's surroundings. Next it was back on the bus and off to visit the Pont du Gard.

     The Pont du Gard is an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge that spans the Gardon River. It remains the largest and one of the most well-preserved examples of Roman aqueduct technology. It was built in the 1st Century AD and was in used till the 4th until it was choked off my mineral deposits and debris. The Pont du Gard rises 48.8m and is divided into three tiers. We could've spent the whole day picnicking in the area but we weren't prepared for it.

view of the Gardon from the Pont du Gard

    We celebrated our last night in Avignon with dinner at the Michelin-starred restaurant on the hotel grounds itself. La Vielle Fontaine is helmed by chef Bruno d'Angélis. What more do I have to say? It's a Michelin-starred restaurant afterall.

I love cheese but this is the first time I have to decide which type to try. So many to choose from; strong to mild, to those with a flowery fragrance. Wish I could have them all...

    Time flies and we found ourselves on the train back to Paris. We visited the Conciergerie (where we derive the word for "concierge"). This wasn't a comfortable place. It was used as a prison and courthouse  during the French Revolution. Queen Marie Antoinette spent her last days here before being executed at the guillotine. Next door was the Supreme Court and Saint-Chapelle. 

     Saint-Chapelle is one of the earliest surviving buildings of the Capetian royal palace on the Île de la Cité.As you can see, it boasts one of the most extensive stained glass collections in the world. The golden shrine (now a replica) used to house relics of Christ, such as fragments of the True Cross, Holy Lance and Crown of Thorns.

Taking the Bateau Mouche (actually from a different operator than the original) along the River Seine.

Fascinated by the miniature sailboats on the pond in Jardin de Luxembourg, powered only by the wind.

     My final dinner before heading home - Confit de Canard. This tops off my list of "Must Eats" in France. Until next time, au revoir.