Exploring Avignon
An overnight stop stretched out to a very enjoyable three days.
An overnight stop stretched out to a very enjoyable three days.
June, Liddy and I visited Avignon in January. It wasn’t a planned visit. We stopped there with the idea of spending the night on our way back to our daughter’s home in Germany. We ended up spending three nights there, finding Avignon a fascinating city with many attractions to explore and enjoy.
Our BnB was located near the eastern gate. We walked the narrow streets, through the university to the Place de l’Horlge where there are many restaurants to enjoy a light lunch before touring the Palais de Papes and the Pont d’Avignon.
I know the bridge as the Pont d’Avignon but historically, it is known as Pont Saint-Bénézet after the shepherd who inspired the building of the first bridge in 1177.
This is the bridge that inspired the song Sur le pont d’Avignon which has become a classic children’s song — at least it was when I was being taught French in grade school.
The self-guided tour of the bridge is well worth the time. I found the history of the bridge, and the reasons why the bridge was destroyed and rebuilt over the years, to be fascinating.
You must also take the time to tour the Palais de Papes, or Palace of the Popes.
Because Liddy has a government-issued Service Animal certificate, the museum graciously allowed us to tour with her.
The building of the palace was started in 1252 by Philip IV of France. There was, as always, some conflict between the powers of the time. The conflicts were resolved in 1309 when Pope Clement V decided Rome was too violent and declared Avignon his papal seat.
Avignon continued to be the center of the Roman Catholic Church until 1370 when Pope Gregory XI declared the center of the world for the Church was in Rome where Saint Peter lies.
During the sixty years of its primacy, the palace was expanded to what it is today. There are many interesting stories and sites to see. Too many for a single tour.
This is the palace kitchen. Liddy was watching my wife, June, photograph us while I was photographing the chimney.
We found the story around the kitchen very interesting. The chimney spans the room. The chef would plan the meals for an occasion and fireplaces would be set around the room to cook the various courses. Soups, Leg of Lamb, Roast of Pork, Roast of Beef. They could all be prepared here at the same time over separate fires. A scene that I have never seen in any Hollywood film.
As I said at the beginning of this article, we visited in January. We really enjoyed our visit and I was looking forward to visiting again in October. This time as part of a Bicycle Tour with Liddy. I spoke of my preparations and excitement for the tour here:
Unfortunately, affairs of the heart have curtailed my roving ways for the next few months. My cardiologist insists on replacing my aortic valve before I go anywhere. So, pending the outcome of this little procedure, Liddy and I are constrained to travel the cycle paths between Seattle and Tacoma.
In the meantime, you might also enjoy this story of our visit to Pisa:
A short photo walk through Pisa | Globetrotters (medium.com)
Or Erie Astin’s engaging story detailing the history of the Pont d’Avignon.
Crossing the Bridge of Avignon (Sort Of) | by Erie Astin | Globetrotters | Medium