Grignan & Viviers - Sunday 20 August

Overnight, the boat travelled from Avignon to the small town of Viviers, named after the water storage tanks located there in Roman times. This morning's excursion was to visit a truffle farm, this area being where 80% of France's truffles are produced. Different groups each went to a different farm, but we felt our visit was particularly entertaining, with the French farmer having a great rapport with our excellent guide and translator. There were many laughs as he explained the growth of truffles and how the farmers manage this natural process alongside the planting of oak trees. They are having a particularly difficult time at the moment, with the hot, dry conditions. We had a demonstration by a specially trained dog, in finding the truffles, and then were able to do some sampling of truffle in a pâté, in butter, in oil, and simply sliced and eaten with salt. All in all, it was very well done.

Next, it was another bus trip, and this time to the picturesque hilltop town of Grignan for a private tour and reception at its castle. Grignan dates back to the 11th century, and the Chateaux is famous because of visits there by Madame de Sévigné, a French writer famous for her letters to her daughter - the wife of the Count of Grignan. The castle is said to be one of the leading Renaissance castles in south-east France. Most of the APT people had to walk the steep climb to the top where the palace was situated, but I was lucky to be able to be in the 'select' few eligible to make the journey using a taxi, taking two trips for the 12 of us. There was a tour of some of the rooms of the castle, and then a glass of bubbly each with some lovely tastings of regional foods, beautifully presented.





We had a late lunch upon our return to the boat, and then we had a little of the afternoon remaining, in which to walk up to the adjacent hilltop town of Viviers and to see its beautiful Cathedral of Saint Vincent at the top. Building of this cathedral began in the 5th century, thus it is the oldest in France that is still in regular use. It was completed in the 12th century. On a sleepy, quiet Sunday, it was certainly like taking a walk back to medieval times. It was a tough walk over the cobblestones and my knee was not happy by the time we got back down, but the cathedral was impressive and the views were excellent. The day was a more pleasant 24C, probably because of the blustery mistral wind that was blowing. This is exactly like one of our nor'westers (also mistral).







At 5pm we set sail for Tournon. It wasn't long before we were pitched into sudden darkness, in the depths of a lock. Dinner at 7pm included Australian Tyrrell's wines (he is also a guest on the boat).