April 29 - Bandol, France

Today was an unexpectedly lovely day.  The bad weather we were warned could happen has not materialized yet although the wind has freshened up and the sky is decidedly cloudier.

We had no idea at all about what there was to see in Bandol and no tour planned.  We were playing it all by ear.  It turns out Bandol is a little treasure.  It’s in the Var department, Provence-Alpes-Côtes d’Azur region in southeast France. It’s east of Marseilles and Cassis.  This area is one of the most  recognized wine regions.  With its warm climate and silicon and limestone soil it is ideal for growing the late-ripening  Mourvédre grape.  The rosés from this area are exceptional.

We tendered ashore expecting everything to be closed since it is Sunday. On the tender dock there was a beautiful greeting party of locals dressed in traditional dress wishing us "Bienvenue" (welcome). Were we surprised to find that the promenade along the harbor was hopping.  There had evidently been some kind of a race earlier this morning and along the main road there was a classic Ferrari car show.  Wow, there were some beautiful cars to see.  On the other side of the promenade there were market stands with all manner of produce, cheeses, sausages, olives etc.  All the little shops were open and people were busy buying today’s lunch and dinner ingredients I guess.  There were also lots  of cafés.

The Greeters 

A line of Ferraris

Not a Ferrari but a beautiful Austin Healy

After walking the length of the promenade we found a café that looked good. Not that we really needed it, but we decided a French lunch was in order.  We had a very nice version of their bouillabaisse and a bottle of the local rosé.  Both were delicious!  As an added bonus we got to people watch as we ate.  Right across the sidewalk was a food cart selling Thai Street Food (we just found that funny in this little French town) that was doing an absolutely brisk business.  There were lots of people walking their dogs and little children chasing the pigeons.  The café gave us little bowls of olives and peanuts to nibble on.  Al dropped a couple of peanuts and of course he became the pigeons’ best friend.

Thai Street Food cart

Sidewalk scene

After enjoying the local color we headed back to the tender.  It was probably good that we did then because as I mentioned the wind has freshened up and the seas are choppy.

All in all, it was a very nice day in a little gem of a port!