L'Isle sur la Sorgue and Où est la Bibliothèque?

For years now Joe's key French phrase has been "Où est la Bibliothèque". I think many have learned that phrase is school, and since I like libraries, and found a lovely book store in L'Isle sur las Sorgue by that name, I made some images of it. Along with a few others, here they are...

For book lovers everywhere.

 A good looking store front, a high end grocery store specializing in olives, oils and wine in this case.

 The carnival's in town, kids having fun :-)

  I think this dog has other ideas on his mind besides shoes...

Painterly effect using Topaz Impressions, a chef turning back to look at me as I was turning back to photograph him....

Evening on the river, the blue hour.

Scene of the 3 hour lunch, just after closing.

Sun setting on another good day in Provence. L'Isle sur la Sorgue.

Market Day and a 3 Hour Lunch

Sunday is the big all over town market day in L'Isle sur La Sorgue, and this was our last one, so we made the most of it. It's a big event for locals and brings in many people from the surrounding area, but all we had to do was walk downstairs. Fantastic to be where the action is!

We strolled around, bought a few things, then headed for the best place in town for a long Sunday lunch... Grand Cafe de la Sorgue...didn't expect it to last 3 hours, but there was no hurry and it was most enjoyable.

There are way too many images here, but I wanted to give you a feel for what it's like in this lovely town on a sunny Sunday, a paradise of color, sights, smells and sound!

 It all started early this morning when the merchants were setting up their stalls right below our window! My bird's eye view around 9am.

 The 2 highest windows straight in front are ours, as well as the window to the left of them in the terra cotta building. Great location!

 Within 10 minutes Joe had bought one of these veggie cutting devices 'as seen on the tele'. Good little gadget.

 Stalls set up in front of the church. 

 This little one was content to read in their van while his parents sold olives.

 Ah, more olives...

 Love seeing all the pampered dogs.

 We got a front row seat at the Grand Cafe de la Sorgue, also a little sunburn, but well worth it.

All of these photos are from my seat at our table... well positioned! Her father gave me an ok nod to take her photo, he had a camera, too. Some girls love to dress up!

 Fellow sit-and-watch-the-world-go-by people...there were a few of us :-)

 The stalls start being taken down around 1pm.

Coffee and a cigarette... Still many smokers in France.

Scene of the 3 hour lunch. It takes about 20 minutes to get the menu, another to see what you want to drink, then ordering, food comes quickly, but the plates stay for a long while. Then 'do you want dessert'... yes. Wait for her to come back to see what you want for dessert. Chocolate something delicious. No, thank you, no coffee. Ask for l'addition, nothing for 20 minutes. Forgets. Do you want l'addition? yes... another 20 minutes. Yep, easy to be there for 3 hours, there is no hurry to move you along, and that suited us just fine.

iPhone Images: L'Isle sur la Sorgue Apartment, the Market and More.

Nothing too elaborate here, I had a request about where we are, hence the map, and many iPhone images I liked, so here they are.

I love my iPhone, it's an older one now, 5S, but I love it's simplicity and the fact that it fits in my back pocket. So far every meal out has been recorded with it, but more on that later...not sure I want to be one of those photographers :-)

This needs a caption, maybe something like.. Mon Dieu....I love these women!

One of those gorgeous cloud days, near the chateaux in Maincy. Outside of Paris.

 French wine. Surprisingly, they drink a lot of beer here, too.

Can't remember where, I'll have to ask Joe later.... 

 Cuban Cafe surprise in a small town between Lyon and L'Isle sur la Sorgue.

 Our apartment in L'Isle sur la Sorgue before we moved in and spread our stuff out all over.

 I like to try and get some photos before we really move in. This is one image, the counter and wall lined up give the impression of 2, it's an open space. Very comfortable and charming.

The view from our apartment, we can walk everywhere. Love the location!!

 The pano view of Gordes.

 Our favorite market food after the fresh produce, artichoke tempenade, we buy a larger jar each time we go...great on bread!

 Babies and the outdoor market.

Dogs are welcomed everywhere.

 Real farm fresh eggs.

Dogs in a nice restaurant, sometimes there will be several dogs, but no one minds.

Some of you may have seen this one on Facebook, another lovely outdoor lunch with a great view. 

 Palais du Papes, the Pope's Palace in Avignon. Man in Silver isn't really a statue, just thinks he is.

My Frenchman with a baguette!

We were in Paris, now we're in L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Provence, and in a few weeks we head to Lucca, Italy.