Recalculating...

I hate Francoise.

Francoise is the name I’ve chosen to give the voice on our GPS in the rental car we are driving. She has a British accent, but after every direction she gives, she repeats something in unintelligible French. After every statement, I can just hear her sigh and think, Did you get that, Buster?

We headed to Arles yesterday and just for fun we decided to let Francoise lead us out of town. Yes, we knew how to get to the A8 highway, but we thought she might know a shortcut.

She didn’t.

Her favorite word, which she uttered often, is Recalculating… She also frequently asked David to When possible, make a U-turn. Pretty hard to do on those one-way streets in Aix! At one point, after Francoise admonished us, David let out a swear word. A bad one. He directed it right at Francoise who promptly asked him to In .3 miles, take the second exit at the next roundabout. At least she used miles and not kilometers.

We managed to get her back, though. Down the road, she asked us to Keep right at the fork. And we didn’t! The sign said you could get to Arles by taking the LEFT fork. We were playing with danger, I admit. Amazingly, we ended up just where we needed to be!

We headed to the center of Arles because Francoise couldn’t find the Ancient History Museum in her database. It was early afternoon and very hot by the time we pulled into the parking garage. First order of business: lunch.

We found a restaurant that served food all day. Lunch service usually stops at 2 and waiters look askance at you for even asking if any sustenance is served after that. Wine? Anytime!

We walked around Arles which is a very compact city. Got to see lots of antiquities including the Theatre Antique—a first century B.C. theater and the huge Roman amphitheater where they still have bullfights in the summer. The frieze on St. Trophime church is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen, and Republic Square was filled with all sorts of tourists, workers, and school children. The obelisk at the center of the square was the centerpiece of the Arles Roman Circus. Yep, I’m just full of facts! Study up!

St. Trophime in Republic Square

Republic Square in Arles

Roman Theater, Arles

My favorite part of Arles was Place du Forum, a square lined with cute little cafes where Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin used to hang out. We had beer (me) and Pastis (David) at Café Van Gogh, sitting outside and watching the world go by. We also strolled for a bit along the Rhone river walk, but it was very hot and bright out. I see now why Van Gogh raved about the light in this area.

Cafe Van Gogh

The Rhone

Francoise didn’t pull any punches getting us back to Aix. Her directions took us down a beautiful country road lined with plane trees. We eventually got back to the freeway and it was smooth sailing to Aix.

Country road leading to Arles.

Fountain in Republic Square

But still, our relationship is tenuous. I’m willing to give her a chance as long as she drops the attitude. We’ll see.

Reflection in Arles