Aigues-Mortes, je t'aime

The first summer of my relationship with my second partner we went on vacation. I didn't care so much where. He was particularly interested in France. He had a friend driven through France a few years before and they had visited a place where he wanted to look around a little longer, Aigues-Mortes, we booked a hotel and went there with the TGV.

A little background on Aigues-Mortes: Aigues-Mortes is a medieval walled town in the south of France, near Montpellier, in the Camargue. During the construction period it was directly on the Mediterranean Sea, now it is separated from it by salt lakes, where the Baleine factory wins its salt. It was commissioned by Louis IX, Louis the 9th or Saint Louis, as a departure port for various crusades. It was the only port city in France at that time.

We arrived at the station of Aigues-Mortes, in July 2009, went to our hotel and walked in the evening to the city. That first year, just after my divorce and with a new partner, for the first time without children on vacation... I don't know if the beauty of the town struck me very much back then. J. had friends who had an apartment inside the walls, they retired and often stayed in the town all summer and they also clicked very well. They had a car and we took all kinds of fun trips. The following year, we were allowed to stay in their apartment for two weeks. The third year we thought that we had seen it in Aigues-Mortes and looked for another destination. We traveled by train and were therefore dependent on a station nearby, my partner wanted to search the sea near... well, in Aigues-Mortes you have everything! So again: on to Aigues-Mortes! We rented a part of a house inside the walls and stayed a few more nights in a bed & breakfast. I think it was that year that we were late in the season and so “accidentally” experienced the medieval weekend of the feast of Saint-Louis. Somehow this party unleashed something in me, all kinds of medieval groups with musical instruments, costumes, a market, a parade... what a cosiness! The b&b was also a hot bath, led inimitably by Mr Young and Roger, so caring, so sweet! Nowadays we just stay our whole holiday in this b&b! A few times after that we did not manage to be there during the medieval weekend because the children were younger and had early holidays, but the last two years we were there and I am still enjoying it! The fun with our friends and the trips by car came to an end when in June 2016 our girlfriend suddenly died, what was it confronting two months later when we arrived at the station and they were not waiting for us!

What it is that binds me to this town, I think that's in the past, because I believe in past lives. And whether it's so important to know exactly what's going on... I don't think so, I feel like it is. I always have to tear myself away from it after two weeks of vacation. I prefer to stay inside the wall for two weeks. I do not need trips to other cities, that we have done in the early years and that is also very nice, if only enough time remains to be inside the walls. It is very touristy, but the tourists stay mainly in the main streets and in the square, where the cozy shops, terraces and restaurants are located. A few blocks away there is peace and quiet and late in the evening all those tourists leave again. An ideal mix. Several retailers and service staff recognize us now and that is also extra fun. I like to buy dresses in a particular store and beautiful jewelry on the medieval market. When I wear them at home, they remind me of where they come from and so almost not a day goes by that I do not wear something that comes from Aigues-Mortes.

#aiguesmortes #camargue #frankrijk