The Scent of Acacia

It’s pure delight. Acacia blossoms are incredibly fragrant, filling the air with a soft, sweet perfume that sometimes brings orange blossom to mind. Today, we spent a good part of the day cycling beneath acacia trees in full bloom - absolutely magical.

After a wonderful weekend in Aix-en-Provence with Aude and Joel (not entirely relaxing, since we still managed a beautiful three-hour hike!), we got back on the road for our fifth and final week. Little by little, we’re making our way toward our ultimate destination: Lake Paladru.

Today’s ride took us from Aix to Avignon, the City of Popes. We soaked up the very essence of Provence: olive trees, vineyards, pine forests. At one point, we even crossed paths with a large wild boar on the road! And all along the way, we were wrapped in that dreamy acacia scent.

Since arriving in France, the journey has felt a bit less “exotic,” in the sense that we’re no longer discovering a culture different from our own. But it remains just as captivating, thanks to the incredible diversity of landscapes we’re passing through.

Only a few more days left on the bikes. Five weeks feels both long and fleeting at the same time. Part of us feels like we could keep going forever… and yet, another life is waiting for us back home. This little escape has lasted just long enough, and we’re starting to think about the return, about everything that awaits us.

This was our first time traveling for so long, a bit of a test in many ways. And what Pascal and I have realized through this journey is simple: when our working lives come to an end, cycling trips won’t just be a temporary escape. They’ll become part of our everyday life. And we can’t wait for more adventures like this. 🚴🏼🚴🏻‍♀️✨

Hike with Aude and Joel

Riding between Aix and Avignon