Holidays,Travel

A trip to Uzes, on our last family summer holiday

Provence holiday Pont du Gard http://rainbeaubelle.com

Provence holiday Pont du Gard http://rainbeaubelle.com

The last summer sun holiday we went on as a family was spent in the beautiful town of Uzes in southern France. Back then, we were a family of three and Florence Martha was just a twinkle in her daddy’s eye.

Sam was three, and although it wasn’t the first time he’d been on a plane, it was the first time he really got the excitement of it all. We loved taking him to new places, showing him new sights, giving him new experiences and just taking time to be together.

He fell just as much in love with the region as we did that week. The night before we reached our apartment, we stayed in a town called Aigues-Mortes just 70km south of Uzes. We took a tour on a miniature train, took turns riding on a carousel, mooched around the markets and ate dinner outside at dusk, before settling down in a lovely little hotel just off the main square.

Sam and mum in Uzes http://rainbeaubelle.com

I say settled down – we were settled, Sam had other ideas and I remember I fell asleep long before he did! The next morning, we ate breakfast in the sunlit courtyard and Sam’s face lit up when he saw his first continental buffet – aka ‘the choosing bit’.

We travelled to Uzes on the day the Tour de France was to pass through the town, relaxing in a bar nearby until the peleton zoomed by. That was the year the race was won by a Brit, Bradley Wiggins, our new national hero.

Our base for the holiday was just a five-minute walk from the town. With a delightfully French iron gate at the end of the driveway, the apartment we stayed in was joined onto a villa owned by a French family. It had its own pool, something we all made the most of and we often had the garden area to ourselves. On the occasions we did see the family, they invited us to sit on their veranda and drink Pastis with them as Sam played with their children.

A short drive away was the beautiful Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct across the Gardon River. The first photo in this post was taken there on the pebble beach beneath the bridge where we paddled, picnicked and played.

Uzes town centre

Sounds idylic? It really was. I’ll never forget the holiday we had at the place Sam named ‘the swimming pool house’. If we knew then that this was the only chance we would have to holiday like this, I still don’t think we could have made the most if it any more. Now my husband has passed away, I am just so glad of these memories and the photos I often look at of our happy times in France.

I’d love to take our children to another swimming pool house, to let them feel the sun on their skin, the cool water between their toes, and see happiness on their faces. I’m hoping this will be the year.

x Julia

This post has been written as an entry into the #SummerLove competition run by James Villas.

Rog and Sam in Uzes http://rainbeaubelle.com

'The swimming pool house'

Me in France http://rainbeaubelle.com

Pont du Gard http://rainbeaubelle.com

Breakfast

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14 Comments

  • Reply
    Sarah christie
    February 12, 2016 at 2:03 pm

    Good luck Julia, I hope you win you would be perfect for this and the kids would just love it xxx
    Sarah christie recently posted…Our Very Exciting Half Term Q HopMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      February 14, 2016 at 6:24 am

      Thanks Sarah! I definitely want to go abroad this year, keeping everything crossed! x

  • Reply
    Vicki
    February 12, 2016 at 4:56 pm

    Sounds like you all had a wonderful time. Precious memories & ones that you will treasure forever. I have never visited France although my husband keeps telling me I will love it. Fingers crossed you win the SummerLove competition xxx
    Vicki recently posted…Leafy & Lovely Valentine’s GiftsMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      February 14, 2016 at 6:25 am

      Ah Vicki you need to go to France, it is just so beautiful! xx

  • Reply
    Donna
    February 12, 2016 at 9:19 pm

    This made me quite teary. It sounds like a wonderful holiday Julia x
    Donna recently posted…Getting Back to Normal with McCain – Bacon Wrapped Cheesey ChickenMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      February 14, 2016 at 6:25 am

      Thanks Donna, it really was my all-time fave xx

  • Reply
    Mackenzie Glanville
    February 13, 2016 at 1:12 am

    oh look at Sam with his croissant what a cute smile! Great memories xx
    Mackenzie Glanville recently posted…100 days of happiness challenge completed!My Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      February 14, 2016 at 6:25 am

      I know, love that croissant one! xx

  • Reply
    Claire
    February 13, 2016 at 8:38 am

    What a wonderful sounding holiday, makes me want to go now! Sounds like you made some fantastic memories there, which musy be great to have now x I really hope you win x

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      February 14, 2016 at 6:25 am

      Thank you! xx

  • Reply
    Katie @mummydaddyme
    February 13, 2016 at 7:30 pm

    I would love more than anything for you all to experience that, this post made me feel quite emotional Julia. It sounds like a lovely holiday. Good luck in the competition, I really hope you win. x

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      February 14, 2016 at 6:26 am

      Thanks Katie, Florence keeps asking if she can go on a plane and go in the sky so she can see daddy! xx

  • Reply
    Mini Travellers/Mini Ventures
    February 14, 2016 at 8:02 am

    Good luck my lovely, I truly truly hope you win this as I think a holiday in the sun would be amazing for you all right now. xx
    Mini Travellers/Mini Ventures recently posted…My Captured Moment – TiggerMy Profile

  • Reply
    Me and Mine - a Portrait for February 2016 - Rainbeaubelle
    February 29, 2016 at 6:30 am

    […] Villas to go on a seven-night break to one of their properties after writing this post about my favourite holiday memory. Hopefully this time next month I’ll have it all booked in and be able to tell you a little […]

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