In the evening, Peter and I arrived in the little town of Nyons, which is in the Rhone Valley of Southern France’s Provence country. It was hot and we were tired, welcoming a dinner in the town square, called the Place des Arcades.

As we settled down into our chairs at a sidewalk restaurant, we saw that the square was swirling with dancers. Tango music came from speakers in the trees. The music and the sensuous dance of  push-me/pull-you lovers spun a dreamlike spell in which we were like swimmers floating in the evening air.

Later, we walked down to the iconic bridge to watch the sunset smear the horizon in violet and carnellian orange. When we came back down the narrow, Medieval streets to the plaza, the dancers were still spinning like cranes that lift their heads and wings in ritualized courtship.

Sandy Brown Jensen

I am a retired writing instructor and faculty tech specialist from Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. I still teach and am also a photographer, poet, blogger and digital storyteller (short videos).

View all posts

10 comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • What a magical evening! Your photography of the medieval village is stunning. loved seeing this and especially seeing them dance to Astor Piazzolla’s sensuous music. Richard and his guitar partner Terry Mills just played tangos last evening at a local cafe’.
    I could almost feel the night air watching your video…

    • Janet,
      Thanks for identifying the music, which I didn’t know. You and Richard MUST come here! Maybe we can meet in Nyons next time?
      Love from Sandy

  • Beautifully evocative, and for me nostalgic. What a gift to happen upon the tango dancers! I agree with Janet, one can almost feel the night air.

    • RoseBug, Is your nostalgia for Provence or do you have a secret history of tango, which I can well imagine you doing?
      Love from the sunny south of France!
      Sandy

    • Bryan,
      When you slow down, you and Ceredwynn would love to come here to unwind, learn about a profoundly deep culture, and, of course, eat and drink!
      Love,
      Sandy

    • Lloyd,
      I know Himself has children in Paris, I believe, but I can so see you both here geeking out on all the lush richness of food and culture Provence has to offer.
      Love,
      Sandy

  • Delicious and oh so charming…brought back a memory of impromptu tango dancers on the Parisian quay in late afternoon while I was walking back to our apartment from my daily outing…

    • Kinga,
      You seem like a woman who would bring sizzle and style to the tango; Burt—not so much!
      Love, Sandy

Sandy Brown Jensen

I am a retired writing instructor and faculty tech specialist from Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. I still teach and am also a photographer, poet, blogger and digital storyteller (short videos).