. Unfrequented France by river and mead and town. dral conspicuous above the house-roofs. Just above the verdant river-bank run itsmediaeval ramparts tapestried with ivy, the yellow-ish stone almost the colour of the rocks. The scenery here is wild and striking. Far awayflashes the grand snow-tipped Mont Ventoux, lime-stone cliffs show dazzlingly white against the warmheavens, deep purple shadows resting on the vine-clad slopes, whilst close to the waters edge arestretches of velvety turf and little shady vales. Atone point the opposite coasts are as unlike in aspectas summer and winter; the r
. Unfrequented France by river and mead and town. dral conspicuous above the house-roofs. Just above the verdant river-bank run itsmediaeval ramparts tapestried with ivy, the yellow-ish stone almost the colour of the rocks. The scenery here is wild and striking. Far awayflashes the grand snow-tipped Mont Ventoux, lime-stone cliffs show dazzlingly white against the warmheavens, deep purple shadows resting on the vine-clad slopes, whilst close to the waters edge arestretches of velvety turf and little shady vales. Atone point the opposite coasts are as unlike in aspectas summer and winter; the right bank all grace andfertility, the left all barrenness and desolation. Andstill we have the noble river to ourselves as it windsbetween rock and hill. Pont St. Esprit is anotherold-world town with a wonderful bridge, making acharming picture. It stands close to the watersedge, the houses grouped lovingly round its ancientchurch with tall spire. Here we do at last meet asteamer bound for Valence. After leaving Pont St. Esprit the scenery grows. * £ 7. o o <o ; FROM LYONS TO AVIGNON 95 less severe, till by degrees all sternness is banished,and we see only a gentle pastoral landscape oneither side. Bagnols, with its handsome old stone bridge,church with perforated tower, facing the river, makesa quaint and picturesque scene. This curioustown, one of the most characteristic passed through-out the entire journey, lies so close to the watersedge that we could almost step from the steamerinto its streets. Meantime, the long, bright after-noon, so rich in manifold impressions, draws on;cypresses and mulberry-trees announce the approachto Avignon. A golden softness in the evening sky,a heavy warmth and languor in the air, proclaim theSouth. Every inch of the way is varied and re-memberable. Feudal walls still crest the distantheights, as we glide slowly between reedy banks andlow sandy shores towards the papal city. At last it comes in sight, rather more than twelvehours sin
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectfranced, bookyear1910
