We hopped a bus today to check out the old town of Roquebrune (France). I was intrigued by one of the major attractions listed in the tourist brochures for this little old ville perche just West of Menton. It claimed to have a 1000 year old olive tree. I just couldn’t let that one get by so we went for a look.
The first photo shows the tree as you approach along the footpath. (The sign says “Olivier millenaire”) It is growing down over a retaining wall that presumably predates it.
In the second one I got my wife to stand in front of it for some context. The exposed root area is probably twenty five to thirty feet wide.
You know how sometimes you look at a steer and all you see is a pile of steaks? Well I was looking at this ancient marvel and in my mind the only thought was “Man, that’s a lot of fine figured veneer !” I think (hope) we’ll be out of France before the authorities read this.
Ville perche (perched village) There are lots of small villages in this part of France that were built “perched” at the tops of steep pinnacles in order to be defend-able in their day. Now the attacking throngs bring their cameras, not their swords. I think this may signify progress.
Thanks for joining me
Paul