An Afternoon in Arles

Photos and text by Corey Amaro:

An afternoon in Arles, walking aimless along the streets. Popping into museums, churches, galleries, shops, cafes... enjoying whatever catches one's eye. Stopping to look closer, then to read a sign, maybe imagining what is behind the garden gate.

Arles is a perfect combination of history, culture, a touch of touristic attraction, local flair, it walks the fine line of being hip without losing its hop. It isn't all cleaned up like a modern day Disneyland, it is authentic which is rare these days to find in a village, especially one that attracts tourism. In French they say... "Dans son jus" which means: As is.

I hope Arles keeps it true flavor.

The sign above the cafe said, "Boissons" which means: Drinks.

 

Hanging on the shop's door the classic sign reads:

Open, ten until twelve. Then two until six-thirty.

Closed on Sunday. The following sign said:

"Sold here:

Sausages of Arles and Bull sausages for five euro and fifty cents.

Small sausage snack one euro and fifty cents.

(Note: The arena was across the street where a bull fight was taking place. I looked at the sign, 'bull sausage', at that moment a cheer went up, the sword, the black bull, the red cape, daring against the odds, "With those mighty legs rise, fly Taureau over the wall!" Instead its horns lay rest and blood shed... sausage.

I lost my appetite.

Hotel Nord Pinus. Classic.

 

Pink petunias on the patio.

 

If you like Fatima's door hand knockers as much as I do... then Arles is a must.

 

The sign reads: "Round and Charming: Specializes in large women sizes."

Proof that too many chocolate eclairs do add up.

 

Provencales shirts, made in Arles, starting at thirty-five euro. The original French cowboy from Camargue.

Colorful, floral printed cotton, the new in thing.

 

Through the garden gate, I saw several olive oil jars and Anduze vases! Lemons, oranges grew abundantly. A haven. Like it use to be... a protected garden, a worn true rusty garden bench, citrus growing, vines climbing, and large Anduze vases not standing chic in some hallway in some far off house.

 

Oh France, you charming thing. You stole my heart -- how dare you! 

The soul of a place has a way of getting under my skin.

___________________________________

Yesterday's guessing game was far too easy! I am going to have to search deep to trick you!

The winners are:

Gina with the most creative answer, and the correct answer goes to Carol L. 

Thanls for playing! Please send me your addresses so I can send you a gift.

Comments

[Julie M ~ The Little Red Shop]

Congratulations, ladies! Thank you for the lovely tour, Corey. Have a beautiful day!

: )

Julie M.

[christine]

Nothing like a Nord Pinus......! xx

[dede]

Oh Corey! These glimpses are almost more than I can bare! I'm SO ready to return to France.

;^) dede

[Everton Terrace]

I'm going to pretend there was no bullfight, they break my heart. I am certain the round and charming shop is a tourist shop!

[Judy O]

I like the sign Ronde and Charmante . Round and charming- sounds so much better than plus size:) I was there a year ago and your glorious photos are pulling me back!

[Rebecca]

I especially love the market on Saturday in Arles. (Its' HUGE!) If you can't find it there, it's not worth having.
So Corey, will you be at the 89th International Brocante and Antiques Fair starting today at Isle Sur la Sorgue? I saw an advertisement for it and thought of YOU!

[Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic]

Oh, the stroll through this lovely, quaint village was a delight today. I love the doorknockers and would enjoy starting a collection. Does anyone who reads Corey's blog know where I might find a few of these, other than stealing them off the French village doors at night...lol!

[Tamra / The Gilded Barn]

Love it! And "Round and Charming" was fabulous! What a fantastic sign. Leave it to the French to be polite.

[Chris Wittmann]

Lovely photos Corey, how nice it must be to stroll those qaint streets. I hate bull fighting, I wish it could be banned, such a horrible way for a noble animal to die. And the fact people cheer and enjoy it so is even more horrifying.

[yvonne]

I loved it loved ,loved it.. Feel like I took a quick trio..
Is this the town that Van Gogh lived in ??
yvonne

[Jeanne]

What are the answers to yesterday's challenge? I don't have time today to go back thru yesterday's comments. Love the tour of Arles though.

[Marilyn]

I would love to see those large vases tucked away in secret gardens. Lovely Arles!

[Tamara]

Corey, I dream of this (that) life. I actually think it will be so...MUST be so...because I dream of it so often and it's so realistic to me. I don't see any reason why Finn can't go to school in France. As it is we might try to enroll him in a bilingual school here - but since that is years away, perhaps we just find him a school in France!

[Penny]

Such a delightful way to amble down a street - a rue? Round and Charming - just my size. Your pictures, as always, dazzle.

[Sharon, Morrison Mercantile]

Thank you for the walk through Arles. I miss France so very much.
I saw a bull fight when I was 18, in Mexico with family. It is one of those..."been there, done that" moments.
Seriously thinking of becoming a vegetarian. Watching so much about what is in our meat makes me cringe.
hugs for the day.

[anne]

Another lovely place to meander around :-) Thank you for sharing, , gives me a joy to read.

[Lorrie]

Beautiful photos. I remember spending a very hot afternoon wandering through Arles. Thanks for reviving the memories.

[fiona jensen]

I wish i could come back to France today! Now that I'm a part of this amazing blogworld I have built up a list of places to stay and see so now I can't wait to return. Many thanks Fiona

[Gina]

Oooohhh! I won! Thank you Corey. I was feeling a bit cheeky and almost didn't press submit. I'm glad I did now. Will email my details to you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[sammia]

Your photo's are beautiful!

[Jo]

Thank you!!! I was so hungry for a big slice of France. Love how you capture the small, innocuous details. To me they are sweet little bon-bons. Delicious!

[sabel]

After seeing all this, I really want to go back to France -

[patio doors]

What a lovely place you have made for yourself to relax. I love the place and the shed is so cute!

[Gracie]

I had the greatest of time in Arles a few years back, your post and photos brought back such sweet memories....