Our morning began with a transfer to Nimes pronounced "NEEM"; no 's' sound at the end. This is also true of Cannes ("CAN") and Tours ("TOUR") making us wonder why you place an s at the end...but the French assure us that even the writing of their language is more art than reason...we must accept their answer because who can argue with the word for water, eau, pronounced like the long vowel "O". Beautiful, perhaps, but not economical.
Nimes is home to the most well-preserved Roman amphitheater outside Italy. At its height it could seat almost 30,000 and it still hosts occasional bullfighting today. Students lunched in outdoor cafes and enjoyed having more than 30 minutes to gulp down their food. The pace of life is relaxed here in southern France, an attitude those from Galveston particularly appreciate. Next stop is the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct which once carried fresh water into the city of Nimes. As an engineering marvel it rivals the amphitheater: only 1 inch slope across the entire bridge and no water pumps!
Tonight's dinner was fantastic. See below the picture from the quaint dining room. Magnifique!
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