To market, to market...

We were back on the road again today to go to market in Saint Remy de Provence. Don't you love the trees that line this road? Reminded me a little of the drives to plantations in the south. It was a very pleasant drive there which took us past a school with this amazing mural. 

This is only part of it but wouldn't that be a welcome sight for kids every morning. It reminded me a little of the murals in Philadelphia. 

This market is a little bigger than the one we went to my first day here. That one was in a village and this was in a town Hence the difference. And this is my last day before leaving so I was on a mission!

This is an artist I bought a small painting from. She was charming and had spent some time in California. Elaine is standing with her. 

As did the other market, this one had a wonderful mix of things. These pigs are an example of something we did NOT buy. Hmmm, wonder why?

There were just as many colorful and fun things to look at - spices. 

Olives - I wish you could smell the wonderful aroma. My mouth is watering just writing about it!

Yes, there was even Chinese food.  Nems are egg rolls.

Love these funny looking tomatoes. And the beans too. 

Can you believe these clementines? So pretty in the sun. 

The fish in the middle is the same that I ate yesterday, in its uncooked and skinned state. 

By far our favorite dealer. She is Irish and has lived in France for over 20 years. Simply charming!

After all that browsing it was time for a break. We started with drinks at 11:30 because they wouldn't serve lunch until noon. They are very precise about eating times here and will close down and re-open for the next mealtime. 

My last cafe meal was risotto with champignons. Delicious. We did see lots of different mushrooms at the market. These looked funny but tasted delicious. 

After lunch we headed to the St. Paul Monastery where Van Gogh was hospitalized from 1889-90. He painted 150 works while he stayed there but none are on exhibit anywhere near there today. 

We strolled around the grounds and visited the interior where there is a recreation of his room. I love this statue of him holding sunflowers. 

Van Gogh's room. There are still patients there and they frequently use art therapy with them. Some of their work was in display and some were copies of Van Gogh's work. 

These reproductions were hanging in the garden. 

One more sight to see on our way back to the house. We drove through Maubec, a town built in the Middle Ages. I keep having to remind myself that I'm in France and that's where it all started. 

These are just a few houses we have passed each day. Very Peter Mayle looking, don't you think?

Not unusual to see these houses everywhere in Provence. Elaine said the French hide their wealth so the exterior might look run-down but the interiors can be amazing. 

I'm so sad to be writing this post today. I'm leaving here in less than 24 hours. From Marseille to Frankfurt to Philadelphia. 

I'm taking many wonderful memories with me and will actually be posting a few more times because I just could not share everything I did and saw. Will be sharing bits and pieces after I get home. 

Today I'm ending with a HUGE  thank you to Candy and Chuck in Paris and Elaine here in Provence. Their very welcoming invitation to visit and heartwarming hospitality helped to make this dream trip come true. 

Merci beaucoup from the bottom of my heart!