Le Muy to Fréjus, 28.3 km The shiny bits in the middle distance are the autoroute. My route went to the right! The valley ahead is congested with the A8 autoroute - the main road connection between Marseilles, Nice etc and through to Genoa and the coast of Italy - as well as the TGV … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 9: interim finish! →

Lorgues to Le Muy. 19.9 km Sheep farming, Provence style A short but pleasant walk.... until the last 3 km! Pleasant farmland, numerous wineries covering the spectrum of hobby winemakers to full-on, grandiose domaines or chateau with giant signs and manicured grounds. The countryside was again dotted with retirement homes or summer retreats, and in … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 8: glorious food! →

Carcès to Lorgues, 20.6km Not sure what the locals call it, but it's a Kiwi batch or a B.C. cabin. No patio? Just put the table and chairs over the road! Fortunately a day of modest distance, made even more modest by some tactical road passages. There's not much gas in the tank, so less … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 7: transit free →

Bras to Brignoles 19.3 km, bus to Carcès ??  km There being no bus from Bras, I set off in light rain for Brignoles, where Google maps told me there was a bus the rest of the way. With my stomach ailment still afflicting me, 34 km may be a day stage too much. The … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 6: 3rd half →

Pourrières to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume 20 km by bus, Saint-Maximin to Bras 9.9 km The view from the Airbnb. The mountains look grey, but in the sunshine they glow almost white! My Airbnb had a 1100 check out time, so I slept and dozed as long as possible. Being a  Sunday morning, there were no Ubers within … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 5: another half →

Aix to the forest 13.7 km, the forest to Pourrières 18 km by Uber! Whatever was in my dinner last night violently disagreed with my stomach, but I gave it my best shot in the morning to continue on. Thinking a small smoothie would provide me with some energy proved to be incorrect, and the … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 4: half day →

Salon de Provence to Aix en Provence, 37.6 km About the only redeeming feature of today's marked path It was a long day, but could have been longer. I was paying closer attention today, and not only did I not miss any turns, but I identified a few short cuts which shaved a couple of … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 3: X marks the spot →

Maussane to Salon-de-Provence, 33.6km Statue dedicated to Nostradamus, who spent his final years in the city I was so engrossed with the scenery today that I missed a turn and walked a kilometre in the wrong direction before realizing. The GR routes have identical red and white trail marks: the problem is that the current … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 2: who would have predicted this? →

Arles to Maussane les Alpilles, 22.7km Part of a wonderful old farm complex near Maussane. Arles is such a wonderful old city, with labyrinth-like streets, unexpected open areas with bustling cafes and restaurants, and fantastic roman ruins. But outside of the old core you feel that for many residents - and there seems to be … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 1: into the unknown →