After leaving the boat in Homps we started our train journey East towards Barbentane a small village just south of Avignon. This little slice of heaven also happens to be the new home of our friends Donna and John who moved there at the beginning of the year.
The train was packed, with standing room only for most of journey but before long we had arrived. We picked up our electric MG at the TGV station and drove the last few miles to the Château.
Olive groves, fresh cherries, majestic towering trees, manicured lawns and a seven room Château with a pool house, not a bad place to spend the week. The best part was spending time with friends, we ate dinners outside enjoying the cool spring evenings before getting hustled by John on the pool table.
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Donna took us out to St Remy, to see their weekly market. We spent the morning walking the winding old streets buying fresh olives and almonds before going to Saint Paul de Mausole the psychiatric health institution where Van Gogh painted some of his most famous works. Including ‘The Starry Night’ which depicts the view from the east-facing window of his asylum room (Pictured Below).
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Another wonderful thing about Barbentane is the beautiful forests that surround the village. Perfect for hiking, mountain biking or boar hunting, what ever takes your fancy. Although it was quite a relaxed stay we still did a lot, yoga, trips to Avignon for the best lemon sorbet of the trip so far and Jo found her new favourite shop Decathlon.
It wasn’t long before it was time for some sad goodbyes. Then back to the station to catch our train to Euro Disney.
Thank you for taking the time to read,
Lots of love,
The Grow Travel Family.