Day 4 began with chocolate croissants and a drive and walk to a suspension bridge called Passerelle Himalayenne du Drac. It was a beautiful day, and the scenery was wonderful.
From the car:
On the drive, we were discussing Coco and my love of falling-down buildings, and Lucy knew we'd die over Pont-en-Royans. It is the most charming, "ancienty" (as Wren likes to say) little village I've ever seen in my whole life - the most narrow streets and then the oldest falling-down houses on a cliff. We could not figure out how they were held up.
We ate lunch here; had the ravioli dish that is the local specialty. It was not amazing, but we tried.
I believe the square sticky-outies structures are like attached outhouses - the residents used to just go through a hole there into the river.
I believe the newish building under the parking lot is a library, according to Lucy.
The cave was very cool.
We learned about olm (blind aquatic salamander) that live in caves. Super gross.
The tour included a crazy light segment.
We went on a very short side jaunt.
The narrow cliff-side roads were very exciting for Coco to drive.
Love these green scenes!
We went to a samosa place near our Airbnb for dinner and had such a lovely experience. The samosas were delicious, and the owner was SO nice and friendly. She told us (well, Lucy, who summarized for Coco and me) about how she had just opened the place. (France does something to help people open small businesses; I forget the details.) She loves the U.S. and thinks she wants to live in New York City. She and Lucy chatted up a storm. She gave us free dessert samosas. We all gave her rave reviews afterward to thank her. She complimented Lucy on her French, as many others did throughout this trip. Lucy still feels a little inadequate at the language, but she is amazing. I'm super jealous of her language skills.
