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DAY 8
MORNING TOUR OF THE PAPAL PALACE
AFTERNOON FREE
OVERNIGHT IN AVIGNON
In the 14th century, Avignon was the capital of Christendom. The popes
lived here during what the Romans called "the Babylonian captivity."
The legacy left by their "court of splendor and magnificence" makes
Avignon one of the most interesting and beautiful of Europe's medieval cities.
View of the Palais des Papes from Pont St-Bénézet
©Photo by Michael Reed ~ Creative World Travel
Avignon's Palais des Papes dominates the city with its fortress-like towers.
The great, white, stone palace, so impressive from the outside, is a medieval
maze of galleries, chambers, chapels and passages inside.
The enclave, which covers 2.6 acres, is in fact two fortresses built as a
symbol of the absolute power of the church.
Both palaces have a central courtyard. The Old Palace reflects the
austerity of Benedict XII, a Cistercian. The New Palace reflects the
artistic taste and patronage of a great prince of the church, Clement VI,
a Benedictine.
School children around the world learn a bit of French from the famous song about Avignon
with the refrain:
"Sur le pont d'Avignon, on y danse, on y danse."
The famous bridge across the Rhone River, Pont St-Bénézet, is just steps from our hotel.
Also nearby is the heart of Avignon, the Place de l'Horloge (Clock Tower Square), the town's forum in Roman times,
shaded by plane trees and lively with open air cafes.
Paintings of the Avignon Popes in the Palais des Papes
©Photo by Michael Reed ~ Creative World Travel
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