Diary

June 13-15, 2024

These days were amazing. We decided to exit the autobahn and take a drive along the scenic “country” roads through Provence, France. Our journey began in the small town of L’Ossirone en Provence. By the way, the majority of the French population resides in such towns, with 15-30 thousand inhabitants and a centuries-old history.

We enjoyed the sights and scents of lavender fields and made a stop at Chateau FORTIA, where Monsieur Pierre Pastre kindly guided us through the winery and shared insights about his wine.

On day 187 we stayed at a family hotel in the Cevennes. A beautiful and calm place. The “Parc national des Cévennes” was established in the territory of the Cevennes Mountains in 1970. It’s one of ten national parks in France and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the morning, we took a walk through the reserve and reached Chateau de Portes, a stunning castle and historical monument of the country (photo 3).

On day 188, we visited Laguiole, a town famous for its “Forge de Laguiole” knives. We explored the factory where they are made and found it interesting to see old machines and traditional hand-made products. This enterprise is over two hundred years old and is known throughout the world!
Expedition diary Stage 3