Cave art

On the way to Cassis we decided to take the scenic route.  This is the area of Le Baux de Provence, a village jutting from the rocky cliffs of the Alpilles. Gorgeous scenery, steep inclines, and narrow twisting roads we shared with intense bikers of all ilks.

The actual village is part of the hill on the distance here 

It was very rugged and beautiful. 

We were headed to the Carriers de Lumiers

which are caves nestled into the Rock where they project art (with musical  accompaniment) onto the many walls. The main exhibition was the work of Marc Chagall .  This was so much cooler than we expected - the images were moving and changing constantly like a movie. I'm just going to post some images we took-but trust me -it's better in real life. This is Rich-it was often very dark (and cold!  Caves are cold!)

But then the colorful paintings would begin and it was enthralling to be enveloped in the art. 

Chagall designed stained glass window for cathedrals in Riems France, and in England. When projected in a cave, it was almost like returning to our experience in Saint Chapelle in Paris. 

Back on the road. This is an out-the-car-window shot.

We did stop for pizza, and had planned to leave our car in a free lot and eat at the restaurant. However, Rich was suspicious of a guy reading a newspaper in a beat up car and eyeing us up from a nearby spot in the lot; so we got the pizza as takeout and had an al fresco lunch on the lot,  keeping an eye on our car full of luggage to make sure it didn't get stolen.  We drove on, finally landing at delightful Airbnb #2 in Cassis. (Our Airbnb in Avignon was also great)  we settled into our new home-and even Rich has to catch up on reading this blog since I publish so late (in our time zone not yours ). 

Homework done, we can kick back and enjoy a little welcome to Cassis happy hour.

A thirstycat tried to join us -first trying to drink the pool water 

Then a watering can 

We protected our wine from thirsty kitty

On to town for first day exploration and orientation-and dinner. We found a beach

though the big breezes and pending thunderstorm kept everyone out of the water.  Cassis was a fishing village though now its primary industries are wine and tourism. Cassis also has some sea caves located nearby where divers found prehistoric art-though those are off limits to visitors. Anyway, Rich looks at the boats

While I'm busy taking pictures. 

By the way, for my office friends...I'm supporting Xerox today with my parking

Our parking story almost ended badly, as we misplaced the ticket showing our evening entry time and we're going to have to pay the 26 Euro full day fee.  However there was a live attendant and as he watched me going through every pocket and turning up Paris metro tickets, Avignon parking lot receipts and other recent paperwork transactions -all while bedraggled and wet from being caught in that thunderstorm- he took pity on us and only charged us for a few evening hours. See I told you- the French are nice and helpful.