Forgot to mention our picnic. We went to Cavaillon to Gerard Auzet's boulangerie. He was voted Best artisan baker in France. Peter Mayle thinks the best in Provence but anyway, Mayle and Auzet have a book coming out in November about Auzets talents. His pastry was special. We headed next to
Fromagerie Des Alpes on rue Raspail. J. and I both think it's the best cheese shop we have visited and the guy who runs it is charming and knowledgeable about all the cheeses.
Now the Gard. We returned again to Uzé. Andre Gide's father said, "O little town of Uze were you in Umbria, Parisians would flock to visit you." This time we stayed at the Hotel du General d'Entraigues. We had reserved dinner but they said it was cancelled due to a booked wedding. We were happy!!!!! Several of you here said food was so-so. I had hoped to go one day, "Les Trois Salons." so I made reservations
We walked about looking for a lunch place but only after I insisted we visit Medieval Garden situated at the foot of the King's and Bishop's towers.
Sadly alot of the plants suffered from the intense heat they had. The pear espalier(sp?) looked in need of immediate help. After that depressing visit ( I feel badly for dying fauna too) we went to see the man who runs the Maison de la Truffe who is always helpful. www.lamaisondelatruffle.com
and he suggested we lunch at his friend's place, "Le Bistro du Grezac"
A great choice for us because we love fruits de mer. After that a chat at the Poterie Caltié to talk jazz. he's up on the new lumineries. I know the oldies.
Dinner that night at Les trois salons.
A great night, the food was also, the company of the sous chefs girlfriend from Denmark who spoke not a word of French and we heard our first English speaking voices, except for Emily) from somewhere on the terrace. In the morning, we had breakfast in the Place des Herbs where the huge market was in progress filling the square and all the streets around it. We were grateful the hotel's Garage was also filled because of the wedding. They were asking 11€ a night!! we parked nearby and luckily our overnight did not get us a ticket.
We did get one later in another place.
Now comes the day I was looking forward too. Crossing the Aquaduct of Millau. It was much short for me. The view through the side were not much so we drove around to catch a view of it overall now that was impressive.
Our reservations fell through for a bed and breakfast in Puy L'Eveque but lucky for us, we found a logis in La Garde, Hotel Brunel/le Rocher Blanc run by a charming young man whose wife is sous chef and his mother tends bar. Everyone there as guests was speaking English. I jokingly asked him why he didn't allow French. Everyone laughed and said this year was exceptional becaue of the aquaduct, th Brits have been coming there to see Foster's work. After dinner we went to the salon and played a game of pool and met the Brits who were drinking tea as we played and had our digestifs.Later all the staff joined us and it was a fun ending to our stay as they had us taste a few strange things.
Now on to the Loire.

Sweet. Sorry the Aquaduct was a dissapointment, but as several have pointed out, it's just like driving on the highway. You get some amazing views for about 10 seconds and then it's over.Much more impressive IMO from afar, and HELLO! when they were building it and you could see it half-built and hanging over that valley, THAT was impressive!

I really like the bridge that goes from La Rochele to Ile De Re. I asked Jerry to drive over it again.

Oh, I do too. It's one of the best bridges in France. And Ile de Ré is a gem.

this photo doesn't do justice. You see water boats on both sides as you drive across.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/...2bf14ba61a.jpg

I loved driving over the Millau bridge. It was 2004 or 2005 and had just been completed. It was February and hardly any traffic. It was windy and kind of scary and beautiful. It's like a musical instrument with those strings going up to the sky. I'd love to check out the other bridges you are talking about.
Thanks for posting about this, your last trip together, cigalechanta. It's very sweet and sad and a reminder to treasure every moment.