Sunday, May 01, 2016

Sunday Lunch near the Pont du Gard

We hoped to find birds at the famous Pont du Gard, but a bitter wind
was discouraging to both us and the birds. 
The Pont du Gard is a Roman aqueduct supported by a bridge over the river Gard; it's one of the most impressive
surviving Roman structures. Built around 2000 years ago, it carried water 21 miles from the nearby hills to the Roman city of Nimes. We climbed up a long stairway to see the panoramic view from above, and take a close look at the aqueduct.
Cold and hungry, we found a restaurant called La Provence in the tiny town
of Saint Bonnet du Gard. We approached the terrace through a
series of narrow walkways. The wisteria and irises growing there were
beautiful, but we wanted to eat inside where it was warm.
A vase of iris were on the table when we sat down at around noon.
After around a quarter of an hour, all the other tables were filled
with French people enjoying a leisurely multi-course lunch:
a wonderful French tradition that I was very happy to enjoy also.
We began with a vegetable soup, served from tureens.
Then my set menu began with this duck fois gras terrine, a bit of
sweet onion jam, and two raspberries. 
Len had the smoked salmon with "petites legumes." 
My main course was confit of duck with a sauce of cepe mushrooms.
Several dishes of vegetables and rice were served family-style.
A platter of Provencal tomatoes ready to share.
My incredible plate of cheese. I don't know what these are,
but their flavors are complex and delicious.
Dessert.
Scenery from the tiny town where we ate.

4 comments:

Jeanie said...

Biggest sigh! Now THAT is how to do lunch! It looks delicious and it certainly was significant enough to fortify you for a long afternoon of fun and travel, walking and shooting. This looks like an extraordinary trip, Mae. You must be in seventh heaven!

Paulita said...

Lunch looks so tempting, mainly because I'm trying to eat vegan for a few weeks to see if it makes a difference to my cholesterol level. Can you still cross Pont du Gard? My husband and I rode our bikes across it several years ago.
I'd love it if you'd play along with Dreaming of France. Here’s my Dreaming of France meme

Sim Carter said...

I’m all about that dessert! Nice to meet you Mae, you visited me via Paulita’s Dreaming of France meme so I thought I’d stop by and see what you’re up to.
I’m not much of a foodie in terms of cooking or eating, lol, but for some reason I do love cooking shows and food photos! I have no idea why. Wishful thinking, I guess.
Ciao for now, I’ll be back.

Beth F said...

Oh wow. What a view, what a meal!