You can’t stay in Provence without a visit to Avignon.  It was a 40 minute easy drive from Sablet, so off we set for the day.

Avignon, a city in southeastern France’s Provence region, is set on the Rhone River and is a popular stopping point for the river cruises.  There were many cruise boats lining the edge of the Rhone River near the car park so we knew it would be a busy touristy city.

From 1309 to 1377, it was the seat of the Catholic popes. It remained under papal rule until becoming part of France in 1791. This legacy can be seen in the massive Palace of the Popes.  The Palace  is located inside the city center, which is surrounded by a huge medieval stone wall and ramparts.

Avignon city centre is typical of other town centres surrounded by defensive walls and ramparts, except on a much larger scale.  There’s residential housing, shops and businesses, all flourishing and busy.  Parking is a premium and  very limited inside but there was plenty of parking along the River which was only a couple of minutes’ walk.

The Papal Palace

We did take a tour of the Popes’ Palace.

This busker was attracting plenty of interest outside the Palace.  Loved his rendition of Over the Rainbow 🙂

You couldn’t go into a lot of the Palace but there was plenty to see.  The tour takes about 1 hour. This courtyard had been changed many times over the years – you can see some of the arches bricked in.

What stood out to us was the brazen opulence that had been historically on show throughout the Palace evident by the sheer size of the rooms, the ornate decorations and the size of the Treasury vaults that would have housed their fortunes, while on the outside the people suffered.  Nothing has changed except the change of location to Rome.  Just saying……

We enjoyed the gardens on the hill above the Palace overlooking the Rhone River and the Pont d’Avignon.  Well worth the walk up the hill.

The Pont d’Avignon

The story of the bridge centres around the legend of St Benezet, who apparently received a message from God to build the bridge (a bit like “build it and they will come”) and is linked to the life surrounding the Papacy during the middle ages. It was built during the 12th century and was a part of the pilgrimage route between Spain and Italy, a control for water traffic and a toll bridge.  It was damaged many times during wars, by floods, rebuilt and finally partly demolished during the 17th century and left to stand as it is now, reaching 2/3rds across the river.

Lunch Time!

Now for the important part of the day – food!

Jeff had been yearning Beef Tartare for weeks!

I opted for what was called a “Buddha Bowl” with lamb and veggies – ironic indeed just outside the Popes’ Palace.  Hehehehehe…..

And a visit to Avignon is not complete without an accordion sighting.  I swear it’s a sign 🙂

Jeff and Catherine xx