Easter 2000 in Provence
This trip to France (to Provence, more specifically) had been on the books for a number of years. We were delighted to be going, but a month before our departure we realized that the very week we were planning to be in Cannes (near Eric Picker's home) was the same week that there was to be a "festival." It was essentially the "television festival" of the year and it seemed that every room in the south of France was booked! Via the Internet, we located a place about 5 miles North of Cannes, but in the end we settled where it would be most convenient for Eric and Guillem Picker (a small hotel in Cannes la Boca). Indeed, this is a significant detail because trips to France are like this: we happily follow the advice of locals "in the know" and on occasion if we stray from these recommendations, the results are unpredictable. Sometimes we are disappointed! We are very happy that at least half of our two weeks in France for Easter 2000 (April 11-25) were spent with our extended Picker family, a few of whom we had never met, and others (the majority) we had not seen in 20 years (and who had never met our children).
Now, for a little context and direction on how to best view this site. Begin with the map of Toulon area (lowest right hand red rectangle). Click on the links from right to left to follow our route. Then, after exploring those pages, go to the rectangle marked "Aix." Follow this with the rectangle containing the green "x". This is where we spent the majority of our time so there are a number of "sub-pages" to explore. The order in which you look at these is not terribly important to your enjoyment!
On Good Friday (2 days before Easter Sunday), we left the Vaucluse and headed North. Trace our route by following the red rectangles from south to North. By Saturday April 22, we were in Mariel Marly. The photos on pages for Chartres and Colombes were taken on Monday April 24, our final day in France.
Click on the map to see the pictures!!
