Avignon

We arrived in Avignon after dark on Saturday evening and found our campsite opposite the city. I quickly snapped this photo on the way in. Nice eh?



The next morning we went over the bridge for a tootle around. I didn't even click that it was Sunday until I realised all the shops were shut (Alex was very happy - window shopping, his favourite kind;). All the shops close on a Sunday in France, this has caught us out on a couple of occasions, especially when we have been starving and the supermarkets have been closed. I think it is a good thing though. It is good to have a day of rest (I do get tired of shopping sometimes;) and as was have realised by the very long lunchtimes (it is very usual for shops and business in France to close for anywhere up to three hours in the middle of the day) the French people are a nation who enjoy their rest.

So we enjoyed a day in Avignon, sans shopping (sorry Anna, I know you will be disappointed for me).

The first place we visited was Le Pont d'Avignon, which is basically, half a bridge!







The bridge was built in the 12th century. It was damaged in wars and by the raging flood waters of the Rhone (there are now 22 dams along the Rhone keeping it under control) and rebuilt and rebuilt but was eventually abandoned in the 17th century.

It houses not just one church (which is a little surprising for a bridge anyway) but two! There is also another little church next to the bridge which was built when the priests refused to takes masses on the bridge as they feared the churches and the whole bridge may collapse! Ironically, the bridge on the land is now in ruins.




Avignon is also a city of Popes. You may think of Popes and think of Italy, the Vatican and Rome, but no, Avignon has also been their home. In the 14th century, whilst a civil war waged in Italy, the Pope and his entourage relocated to Avignon. Here they built Le Palais des Papes. The Palais took 10 years to construct and was built by two Popes (but Alex reckons they may have had help from builders and such like aswell). It was home to nine Popes who succeeded one another there.













As we strolled around the 24 vast rooms, sacristries, vestries, churches and chapels within the Palace, I couldn't help thinking that it was interesting, but could be much improved with a few curtains (Roman blinds perhaps?) furniture, soft furnishings and lamps. Because, let's face it, I don't think
Popes have much of an eye for decorating really.

I did like this room though, much more homely.




And it was open;)

Love
Est xxx