11 February 2024 – Le Val, Provence

Miles driven today = 115

Total Miles to date = 976

We retraced our steps through the Camargue to Arles this morning, where we made a brief stop to top up our LPG tanks.  Despite having had the heating on most evenings we’ve barely used the first of our two 11kg tanks, but we know from previous experience that it’s sensible to top up whilst opportunities are plentiful rather than leave things to chance when we start to run low.

Once that was achieved we pointed our nose eastwards via the N568 / A55 and along the shoreline of the Etang de Berre before skirting to the North of Marseille.  Then it was inland along the A55 / D6 to Saint-Maximin at which point Google Maps decided we needed to take a short cut and routed us cross country and along roads which were a little too wriggly and narrow for comfort in some places.

We arrived in the ancient village of Le Val in time for lunch so after butties and a brew we sauntered off to have a poke around.

The central square has a seriously antique looking clock tower with an arch beneath which leads through to the Church.

There are a number of fountains and water troughs dotted around the village, all of which appear to be gravity fed.

We both loved the patina of these colourful old doors.

The church from the other side which also housed a little tourist information office.

There were some information boards which we struggled to translate but the gist was that the village was originally inhabited by Celts in the 10th Century and was heavily fortified in the past.

Le Val is tiny with only about 2,500 inhabitants and it didn’t take us long to do a full circuit, so we took ourselves off for a wander into the surrounding hills which are dotted with vineyards and olive groves.

Lisa made a new friend.

It’s been gloriously sunny today and the rain of the last 2 days is now a distant memory, but the strong biting winds persist.

As we clambered higher we spotted a few snow covered peaks to the North.

We found our way to the 16th Century Chapel of St Cyriaque.

And we gave ourselves a few moments to take in the fabulous views from up there.

There was an alternative path back down the hillside which was much steeper and more uneven.

This was the view looking down over Le Val as we made our way back down the hillside.  You can see the motorhome aire in the centre of the picture.  It’s a Camping-Car Park facility for which you have to have one of the Pass’ Etapes cards to gain access.  We still have one of these from the previous time we stayed in one of their aires on our way back from Spain in 2022, so all I have needed to do is to pop enough credit on the card to pay for the €12 charge when we leave in the morning.  Hook up is included.

As the crow flies we are now less than 100 miles from Italy but we are thinking we will make tomorrow a relatively short driving day and enjoy the countryside round these parts a bit more before we take the toll road to the border on Tuesday.  

12 February 2024 - The winding road to Grasse