Avignon

After a long overnight flight we navigated Charles de Gaulle airport and found the TVG train to Avignon. Although the seats were a little cramped the incredible speed and smoothness of the ride more than compensated.

A bit more wandering was required before we found the taxi stand and were treated(?) to a hair raising Tesla ride (103 km in a 30 zone at one point) to our hotel. Then it was off to the old town section of the city to link up with Doug & Louise Pegg (long time friends and travel buddies – Peru, Chile).

Between 1309 and 1377, during the Avignon Papacy, seven successive popes resided in Avignon and in 1348 Pope Clement VI bought the town from Joanna I of Naples. Papal control persisted until 1791 when during the French Revolution, it became part of France.

The old town is dominated by the Papal Palace.

The main square bustled with tourists despite the strong wind that had a dramatic cooling effect. We walked for a bit admiring a variety of very old buildings that surround the square.

A view from above the palace meant we could see down to the Rhône River and the famous Pont Benezet, better known as the Pont Avignon.

Built between 1177 and 1186, the bridge had 22 arches and spanned 900 meters. Destroyed during the siege of 1226, the bridge was rebuilt in stone and raised. The bridge was repeatedly damaged by floods and continually repaired. In 1668 it was deemed to be too dangerous and was closed to traffic. Today, only four arches of the original 22 remain.

A nice dinner in the old town and a less dramatic taxi ride back to the hotel ended a very long day.

Tomorrow we meet the tour and set off on our first hike which includes stopping at the castle of the Marquis de Sade. Yikes.