Provençal villages: Meyrargues

Another day, another quick visit to some nearby Provençal villages.

We started in the small village of Meyrargues.

Meyrargues is not a sightseer’s haven. It’s just a normal village going about day-to-day life which is refreshing after the trinket shops and overpriced restaurants of other more tourist-oriented towns.

That said, of course we did go to see the few touristy sites within the town.

We headed up the hill in the centre of the village to the Château, initially built in the 9th century, with considerable improvements made in the 1700s (the Château is now a 4 star hotel and wedding venue).

Just past the Château is the start of several hiking trails which connect to neighbouring villages.

After some brief and shaky explorations we headed back down the hill towards the cemetery to take in the aqueduct ruins.

These date from Roman days when water was needed to supply the nearby city of Aix-en-Provence.

Not the biggest ruins, but still charming, and not another person in sight.

Then it was off to the neighbouring village of Peyrolles-en-Provence, which is only 5 km (3 mi) down the road.

This archway leads you to the centre ville, the ancient heart of the village.

The streets are narrow and the buildings older than any Australian could imagine.

The windows are so romantic.

Especially those with an ashtray and quarter bottle of rosé (me thinks a good night was had here).

The two most ignored signs in France: no parking and no dog crapping.

Another archway revealed the The Hôtel de Ville of Peyrolles-en-Provence.

Formerly the castle of King Roy René.

And then we had to be on our way. Although only in the area for a few hours, we thoroughly enjoyed our morning in Meyrargues and Peyrolles-en-Provence.