A follow up google this morning on Aigueze led me as though by destiny to two interconnected spectacles of the natural and architectural beauty.
Also know as the other most beautiful village in the Gard region, La Roque-sur-Cèze boasts quaintness, castles and ....waterfalls?!
My uncle Jan was feeling adventuresome as well and so we all made a plan to head in that direction after lunch. Not five minutes beyond Bidon (or so it seemed) we were suddenly in the midst of a lushly forested, truly scenic drive. Signs soon pointed the way towards the Cascades du Sautadet, and.... wow. Waterfalls pouring into bubbling pools flowing through carved limestone pockets and cliffs carved by the river Cèze. Truly beautiful, at parts forceful and also serene. My greatest regret until the day I die, or am taken back to these falls, will be that I didn't have the foresight to bring my bathing suit.
Just down the road, the well deserving of its "Les Plus Beaux Villages" title, La Roque-sur-Cèze exists, like so many of these towns, on a steep hillside. Once again I will be denied entrance to the castle upon reaching the top (who are these bazillionaires that privately own these landmarks, I ask you?) but was I did see of "La Roque" was sufficient enough to completely dazzle.
It's clear I could spend the rest of my days uncovering more and more examples of the south of France's points of splendor and never tire.
.....but it really is time for me to pack my bags and go. Out with a bang.