une fois interrivos (1040) mais aujourd’hui entrevaux (2016)

Taking the train, Chemin de Fer de Provence, from Nice is fun. It takes, maybe, 1 1/2 hours. The train itself is like a bubble. The windows are large and curved.

The publicity suggests a ride in the morning to Annot about 30 minutes beyond Entrevaux, spending about an hour there exploring the medieval part of the village, and later catching the return train back to Entrevaux, where one would eat lunch and wander the streets as in Annot and walk to the citadel that dominates the village and explore it.

Entrevaux is a medieval walled town that sits on the river Var. One enters by crossing an ancient bridge and walking through a portal, much like entering a castle or a walled city, which Entrevaux is, of course. From there, as an experienced flâneur, you meander through many medieval streets and past many ancient buildings. (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail.)

Here we have a good idea of what Entrevaux looks like. In the upper right corner is the citadel. Lining the hill and the path to it are the hanging buttress-like walls that resemble steps from a distance. (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail.)

Arriving at the citadel at the summit, one sees why it was built in that particular spot: advancing enemies can be easily spotted from multiple directions. To the left toward Nice and slightly over the shoulder and around a corner to the right the view extends for miles. (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail.)

The climb to the top is fairly easy. A token is purchased at the tourist office or at the gate to the path and deposited in the gate, which will allow you to enter. To see over the walls into the valley below is not always possible. Instead one must look through small holes, the fenestra, cut into the wall. The buildings and vehicles appear small, toy-like.  (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail.)

Walking up the hill toward the citadel offers other moments for pause and contemplation. The buttress-like walls are often lined up and a tunnel forms. Each step through them seems like a step into a chamber.  (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail.)