My wife and I returned from our three month stay in southern France and I must report that true film is nearly gone there too. I couldn't find but a few rolls of 35mm in photo processing shops where the owners sadly reported that they are reduced to printing digital snaps for folks. The film developing mostly gone in storefront shops.
I did take a circa 1953 Rolleiflex with me and took it out for a visit to Glanum in the Alpilles near Avignon. The Alpilles are mini-Alps if you will. Glanum was a early Gaul people settlement in a mountain pass where springs were abundant. The Greeks conquered the locals when they occupied today's southern France. They build baths, deep wells and fortified walls around their settlement to protect the fertile plains feeding their colonies. Later the Romans overran the place and expanded the settlement, building over the Greek ruins.
This sure left a beautiful place for photographers today. I attracted some attention with the Rollei as all the other tourists were snapping digital. An older German was thrilled to see it. He described the model, age, features, accessories to me from memory as his wife (and mine) rolled her eyes in the background.
I did get a roll of color there but haven't had time since coming home to drive across town in holiday traffic to get it developed. I couldn't find a local place who could develop 120 format. Internet access was so poor that I couldn't browse to find any stores to do it. I hope the film isn't fogged by airport security procedures. Even customs zapped our bags on the way home.
I hesitated luckily to take my Graflex 4X5. Glad I didn't. Next Spring when we return to the area I'll scout around in Avignon to see if I can find a pro shop that can at least develop 120 film.
I will be taking a newly won (about an hour ago) a Graflex Century 2X3 with Graflok back. That will allow me to easily use 120 roll film adapters that I already have. I was goofing around on E-Bongle and accidentally (ha!) won the Century. I'd been hoping to find just a 2X3 Graflok back for either my 2X3 Minature or Speed Graphic springbacks but wound up with the entire camera and some accessories. This one, I will take to France even if I have to carry the exposed film back here for development.
If you will forgive me for posting digital shots, here are a couple I took in the local area. I included one of Glanum, a couple of the arena in Nimes which is the best preserved Roman arena left. It seated and still seats nearly 28,000 people. Lastly, the Pont du Gard which was an aqueduct built to provide water for Nimes under Roman control.
Merry XMAS to all, happy holidays to each as well as I realize not all celebrate XMAS.
Tom Thomas
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