The route to Avignon took us through St.-Quentin la Poterie, where potters produce interesting works (though too difficult to carry on a bicycle). With the Mistral still blowing, we pedaled past farms and vineyards and stopped for café and pastries in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon before crossing the river to Avignon. Avignon was filled with tourists, though walking away from the main square, we found some quieter streets.

The next day was an “exploration” day, with no cycling, but a visit to a chocolatier (we could have missed this) and to Orange, site of the impressively preserved backdrop, or scaenae frons, for a theatre. Preparing for a horse “circus,” the theater closed earlier than usual, so we could not go inside. Rather, we climbed a rugged hillside to achieve a very good view of the interior.