Since we left the Mediterranean coast, we've spent a couple of days exploring the inland region of the Alpes-Maritimes department. Le Bar sur Loup is one of many medieval villages perched on the mountains here. A couple of days ago, we drove from here through Tourrette sur Loup to Vence. The river Loup has cut a very deep and scenic gorge into the terrain and the roads all around here are winding and dramatic, not to mention a bit challenging to drive! You daren't take your eyes off the road for a minute. No matter where you look across this countryside, it is a major dose of "eye candy". We enjoyed our stop in Vence - having a fabulous lunch at Le Pigeonier, wandering the medieval streets, seeing a Chagall exhibit and visiting La Chapelle Rosaire designed by Henri Matisse.
Yesterday, we drove around the Col de Vence, a mountain popular with cyclists for training. We drove north from Le Bar to Gourdon which was our first stop. This village is officially designated one of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France", with good reason. The medieval streets are charming, filled with little boutiques and restaurants; in addition, the more than 180' views of the Mediterranean from Monaco to Cannes are spectacular. The village is dramatically perched on a rocky spur that juts directly over the river Loup providing views of the gorge. Note the road in the third picture. That's the one which takes you to the village. More on the rest of yesterday's adventure in the next blog.
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