The purpose of this trip was to show Tristan where his father was born and where he played as a small boy. This was Christian's birthday gift vacation. We went anywhere and everywhere he wanted to go, and we stayed as long as he wanted to stay. It was a time for reflection and memories. The unexpected suprise was just how warmly we were embraced by the family he hadn't seen since he was a child.
Christian really really wanted to see a bullfight, and as much as I didn't want to have anything to do with it, in the end, it was his birthday, and I went so that I could photograph the event for him...otherwise, you can't truely watch the fight if you are behind the lens the entire time.The bull fight was Spanish Style, the grand season finale held in the Nimes arena,with three matadors, six bulls, and it lasted three hours.
The medieval village at Les Baux.
The seaside village of Saint Chamas where we stayed.
Tristan at Les Baux enjoying his ice cream cones!
Avignon
Tristan had the pleasure of meeting his Great Uncle Daniel affectionately called "Ton Ton". They spent many hours together looking for bugs, hunting for mushrooms, and catching grasshoppers.
Saturday is market day in Saint Chamas and Tristan picked some perfect grapefruits.
The beginning of the bullfights were always amazing and I got wrapped up in the "dance" and the artistry of the matadors. I loved how their costumes sparkled in the setting sun, their perfect postures, their stances.
We spent some time roaming around an organic wine vineyard after our tasting.
Tristan adored his Great Aunt Antionette, he lovingly called "Tatie". He enjoyed cooking with her and learning all her secrets...she is an AMAZING cook. Being born in Sicilly and later coming to France, her talent in the kitchen is bar none, nothing short of sensational. She made sure we had every lunch and dinner at their house, and we always looked forward to her meals.
We stopped in at a private French Style bullfight on the way to Arles called a Camarguaise fight, where there is no bloodshed, no capes, no swords. The objective is to snatch a rosette off the head of a young bull and run out of the ring.
Tristan and daddy at Avignon.
We had third row seats!
Tristan at the top of Avignon Palais des Papes on our way to the gardens.
Tatie and Ton Ton own a piece of land outside of Istres. They leave a table and chairs and a grill there and head out for lunches some times. They treated us to a wonderful picnic one glorious afternoon. There is nothing quite like having a lunch in the middle of a field surrounded by the gentle shade of olive trees. A votre sante!
Tristan picking pine cones off of the Cypress tree at Tatie and Ton Ton's house in Istres.
A beautiful old window in Aix en Provence.
Tristan outside the Nimes arena waiting to go into the bullfight. By now I'm sure you're curious how Tristan dealt with the to the death aspect of the fights. Christian told him that the bulls would come out and the banderilleros would put "glue sticks" on his back, and the matadors would run him around until he was so tired he simply fell over asleep. Then the horses would come and pull him away and take him to bed. Only a four year old could believe that story.
Fountain square in Aix en Provence.
Tristan was thrilled to find that he had many many cousins to play with!Left to right: Satyne (2.5 yr), Jennifer (7) holding Tyll (7 mo), Tristan (4 yr), and Theo (18 mo).
The arch of an old Roman Theater in Arles.
We spent one afternoon at the beach where Christian used to go when he was little.
Tatie and I were a lot alike. Often times she and I were saying the exact same things, except I was saying them in English and she in French. Christian was amazed that we had a knack for doing this. One day it was just me, Tristan, Christian and Tatie in the car going to the shops. Just as Christian was passing his exit on the rotery, I started with,"What are doing? Why aren't you taking that exit? You've missed it, go around again!" Meanwhile Tatie has just said the same thing in French. Christian is laughing as he is telling me that we are both tearing him apart. So Christian, how does it feel to get told off simultaniously in two different languages?
Ruins at Miramar Le Vieux
Cheese Glorious Cheese
A delicious cookout at cousin Sylvain's House!
Steps at the Palais des Papes in Avignon.
Father and son watching the bullfight.
As we were walking around the vineyard Domaine de Sulauze we came across a very old pigeon tower, and when I went inside, this was what I saw when I looked up.
Roman arena at Arles.
Square at Avignon.
Mommy and Tristan at our picnic in the field.
Tristan and Sacha.
This is the cemetary that Christian's grandparents are buried in. The church, Chapelle Saint Sulpice was built by the Romans and dates back over 1,000 years.
Fun on the dunes.
Checking out the view from the top of Les Baux.
There was always a constant supply of parmesan cheese being grated by Tristan and Tatie's hands.
YUM!
Tristan and Jennifer.
Inside the villa we stayed at in St. Chamas.
Inside the oldest cemetary in Istres are statues and graves that date back to the Napoleonic Era.
Miramar Le Vieux.
Inside the medieval city of Les Baux. All that is left standing of this gorgeous ruin is the window in perfect condition.
A beautiful fountain I found in the gardens of Avignon.
Relaxing in the shade at our picnic.
The Roman arena in Arles.
Tristan and Satyne sharing a dance.
We ate our lunch sitting near this pretty little fountain in Aix en Provence.
Stunning fountain square inside Aix en Provence.
"Focus on the shiney gold, focus on the shiney gold, focus...". 
We saw dozens of these old Citroens, so cute!
This was a Roman bridge that brought you into the village of Saint Chamas. I could just imagine the chariots crossing it!
Tristan and Jennifer playing in the field at the family gathering where Ton Ton sweetly made sure everyone attended.
View looking out from Miramar Le Vieux.
The birthday boy enjoying the picnic with a Pastis.
We found a little chapel on the vineyard.
This matador was my favorite little hottie.
Tristan on top of an old olive crushing stone in Istres.
The famous Saint Benezet Bridge in Avignon crossing the Rhone River. It was built in 1171 and completed in 1185. It later linked the Palais de Papes with the new Palais...or Chateauneuf du Pape...for all you wine lovers. This is Christian's favorite wine region.
Tristan and Satyne hugging.
Palais des Papes, Avignon.
The Saturday market in St. Chamas cooked up the largest pot of paella I've ever seen!
Tristan playing in the fig grove at Tatie and Ton Ton house.
The Roman aquaduct that went right through St. Chamas. I was suprised at how many Roman aquaducts are still in nearly perfect condition in the South of France.
Doorway at Aix en Provence.
Bug hunting at the picnic.
Fountain at Aix en Provence.
Spending the day with cousin Sylvain at Miramar Le Vieux.
Fountain at Aix en Provence.
Les Baux with my beau!
Aix en Provence
The end of the bullfight inside the Nimes arena.
Church at Nimes.
Water break and a cuddle with mommy.
View from Les Baux.
I couldn't help myself...Laundry in Arles.
Outside the Nimes arena.
Our favorite produce market in St. Chamas.
View from Domaine de Sulauze vineyard.
Love French fabric!
All I could think of throughout the whole bullfight were the words from Madonna's song Take a Bow, that has a video about a matador and a bullfight "...the show is over say goodbye".It was a once in a lifetime experience...it was beautiful, sad, and stirring.
Tristan exploring the same woods that Christian roamed at his age.It was sad to leave Istres and our new found family and friends. We really enjoyed our time.
Au revoir!
To see the entire French family reunion go to the home page on the top right hand side and click "Family Reunion Photos".
