France: Sept 15, the town of Gap

[Francois_Dumas]

September 15 we woke up to a relatively clear sky and sunshine already painting the distant hills bright green. So very different from the previous day !

 

So we had breakfast and then first visited Sisteron for a bit (see:

http://travel.silvercloudpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=196 )

 

And then we headed back north to the town of Gap.

 

This is the region where we plan on looking to build a new home somewhere, so it was about time we recce'd the largest town in the area - among other things.

 

Gap is a marvelous old town, olf like every other town and village in France, colorful, and on this out-of-season September Monday morning, VERY quiet too.

 

We found a few more bikes and parked ours next to them.....

 

 

 

Almost all streets are narrow, and the buildings high..... so I tend to take vertical pictures, much to Nina's dismay (don't ask me why !)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's one for Bob........

 

 

And no matter how small the streets are, you STILL are allowed to drive through them mostly..... unthinkable in Holland where we have a 'forbidden' sign even on the public toilets...!

 

The town HAS adapted the size of their service vehicles .....

 

 

The inside of the church was as impressive as the outside (built of two colors sand stone !)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did I tell you yet it was Monday morning?????? This is the town center, sort of....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next will be the road along the Lake of Serre Ponçon and then on to the Col de la Bonette......

[tallman]

Francois,

Very nice tale, love the road pics and the age of the buildings comes across in the photos.

Lovely excursion.

[Motorrad4fun]

Great Tale, as all of your are. My wife has family in France and we visit regular.

 

Thanks for sharing

[Whip]

I hope you remember all these places when we come visit. I'm gonna just point to one of your Ride Tales and say...let go here.

 

 

 

 

[Francois_Dumas]

I hope you remember all these places when we come visit. I'm gonna just point to one of your Ride Tales and say...let go here.

 

 

 

 

Don't worry, I remember !!

 

Oh, let me tell you about that day when by mistake I motored in to a fortified town, so narrow and steep I could hardly get the BMW back out again.......

 

 

[BeniciaRT_GT]

Oh, let me tell you about that day when by mistake I motored in to a fortified town, so narrow and steep I could hardly get the BMW back out again.......

 

 

 

Pictures?

 

Great tale, as always!

[Francois_Dumas]

See new thread

 

[Twisties]

This particular town reminds me very much of the Tuscan hilltop towns, in particular I think, Sienna. The architecture of the church, the square with fountain, etc. seem to evoke the Italianate. So very unlike the other parts of Europe that you've posted.

 

Nice shots.

 

Hope you fulfill your dream of moving to this region.

 

Jan

[Twisties]

What's "olf"?

[Traveler1]

In 2006 I stopped overnight in Gap and then rode on in the morning without exploring the city. Your photos show how big a mistake I made! Have to go back I guess. Thanks for sharing.

[Francois_Dumas]

It is pretty close to Italy, which explains probably

 

And no, I don't know what 'olf' is either .....

[Francois_Dumas]

So much to see, so little time.... I know.... we'll be heading back too, we've been missing much in the south of France !

[ArmyGuy]

Stunningly beautiful. I like all of your tales. I will live vicariously thru your tales while I'm in Iraq until late spring.

Mike

[Francois_Dumas]

Thanks Mike, I'll post a few extra for you then. Take care out there !