St. Paul de Vence

Today we ventured back into the Provence countryside and visited St. Paul de Vence which is an old village perched high on a hill in the green countryside.

This is a non-car village and just as well as the medieval streets are steep, cobbled and narrow - but that just adds to the charm of the place.

The light coloured stone of the old buildings lights up in the late summer sunshine and somehow even the darkest alleys are brightened.

This village is an artists haven - and there are literally dozens of art galleries and   small art stores throughout the narrow streets. And as the place is so picturesque it is no wonder artists have flocked here down the ages.

The heat and all these steep cobbled streets to climb is hot work - and so what nicer than some Italian made ice cream in the sunshine.

Laura reckons this was the nicest ice cream she had ever had - high praise indeed from an aficionado who has eaten ice cream all around the world!

As Fiona used to say in her younger days "my leggies are sore..."

Even now in mid October here in Southern France it is as if summer has never ended.

There are flowers still in bloom everywhere and the countryside is still green and lush.

And what better way to while away an hour or so sipping coffee in a small French village cafe and watching the world pass you by.

A lovely place to relax in the countryside especially in these lovely late summer temperatures.