Day 12: Montpellier -- Arles

57 miles.

Biked South and hit the Mediterranean ocean at mile 10, then headed East. At mile 25 I stopped by a medieval town s
called Aigues-Mortes (dead waters). It's surrounded by a wall and was a starting point for the crusades in the 1100s-1300s. In the 1600s the wall towers were used as dungeons for Protestant prisoners. Odd place. In addition, the ocean next to the town is pink because it has very high salt concentration.



I then biked for 20 miles through a natural reserve called Parc de Camargue. It was beautiful but long and the scenery never changes, kind of like biking through the Everglades.



I arrived in Arles, which was a major city for the Romans. This is the Roman amphitheater where they used to have gladiator fights (so much oppression on today's trip!). You can see the dark barred caves where they used to keep the slaves. They now use the arena for bull fights (lots of Spanish influence in this area).



The town sits on the Rhone river and is very charming. Van Gogh lived here towards the end of his life (he commit suicide at 37). Several of his paintings were done in Arles. Starry night was painted nearby. There are many museums, art galleries, and street art to enjoy.



I would like to live here:


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