We had a great lunch in Nimes at this outdoor cafe, in the shadow of Les Arenes.
Les Arenes.
Zak making sense (or nonsense) of the French menu.
Carrying on the proud tradition of Lemon Family self-portraits.
A view of the Jardins de la Fontaine. Another obligatory palm tree shot for my dad. Someday, Pops, someday.
Jardins de la Fontaine.
The Jardins de la Fontaine were created in Nimes in the 18th century.
Temple of Diana
The Temple of Diana, one of the Roman ruins in Nimes. The little speck in the middle is me lying on the altar. See the next picture for me details...
Avignon, February 2005
We took a day trip to Avignon, about 30 minutes by train from Nimes. It's a smaller but more vibrant town, where Zak got to eat good food and I got to do good shopping at Sephora. We were both happy backpackers.
The Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace in Europe, which was built in 1335 (well, and for several hundred years after) when the Popes hightailed it to France from Rome during the Great Schism. The place was pretty much ransacked during the French Revolution, but its tapestries and furnishings are slowly being returned and restored.
The Opera d'Avignon.
This restaurant, Maison Nani, caught the corner of my eye, so we popped in for lunch, and it was fabulous. We later found it in our trusty travel guide, "Let's Go France." Zak, a real foodie, now feels that our purchase of the guide was worthwhile.
Ponte D'Aguste.
The Porte Auguste (Augustus' Gate) in Nimes. I'm not sure if this statue is original, but the remains of the gate and a well definitely ARE.
A Kindred Spirit.
I found a kindred spirit in this Nimes statue of a local bibliophile...