| Avignon Avignon | ||
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Coat of arms and flag .svg/64px-Blason_ville_fr_Avignon_(Vaucluse).svg.png)  | ||
| State | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude | 122 m a.s.l. | |
| Surface | 64.78 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 90.194 (2011 census) | |
| Name inhabitants | Avignonesi | |
| Prefix tel | 33 49 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 84000 | |
| Time zone | UTC 1 | |
Position
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| Institutional website | ||
Avignon is the capital of the department of Vaucluse, in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, in the south of France. Overlooking the Rhone River, Avignon is an important cultural center.
To know
Avignon is the city where the popes took refuge fleeing the corruption of Rome during the 14th century. The palace they built, The Palais des Papes, (palace of the popes), is the largest gothic building in the world. Over the centuries it has been practically emptied and almost only old frescoes remain in the large rooms, but it is still imposing. The Ramparts themselves were erected to keep out the plague and turbulent invaders during the Middle Ages, when Avignon belonged to the papacy and not the French crown.
The history of the city, however, is much older than the popes. Avignon occupies a strategic position for several reasons - it is at the confluence of two rivers: the Rhone, still one of the largest rivers in France today, and the Durance River, now largely closed by dams. Both were important trade and communication routes even in prehistoric times. Furthermore, on the Rhone there is a long island that has allowed the transport of people and goods, increasing the importance of the river.
Today around 200,000 people live in Avignon, 16,000 of them within the walls built in the 14th century.
The city is full of buildings and monuments that testify to the various phases of its millenary history.
Background
Avignon has been continuously inhabited since the Stone Age, when the primitive peoples of the area built their homes in the caves of the Rocher des Dames, a massive spur of rock that rises on the banks of the Rhone. Today at the top of the Rocher there is a public park with benches, views of the surrounding countryside, a café and a playground.
The Romans were present in Avignon, although the walls they built are now buried somewhere under modern streets. The vestiges of the forum are still visible in some places near the Rue Racine and the Rue Saint-Etienne, to the west of the city.
During the medieval era the city grew and became an important center of communication and commerce. The stone bridge spanning the Rhone was one of only three existing between the Mediterranean and Lyon. It was undoubtedly for its strategic position and ease of travel that the city was chosen by the papacy as the seat within the then Kingdom of Provence. The presence of the papacy made Avignon a city of great political and economic activity. The old city walls, now visible only as a road surrounding the city center, were too small and for this reason a larger wall was built that is still visible today. Wealthy cardinals built extravagant palaces known as livrées both within Avignon and across the river, a Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.
The city was teeming with activity and construction as architects, builders and artists flocked from all over. At that time, there were more than 100 churches and chapels within the city walls - many of which have been transformed over time to become places of business such as shops and even a cinema. The wealth and activity generated by the presence of the papacy then spilled throughout the region, so that even the small neighboring villages boast a rich architectural past.
How to orient yourself
Avignon: full screen map.
How to get
By plane
Avignon has a small airport served by Cityjet which connects it to the UK. From Italy the closest airports are those of Nice is Marseille.
By car
The A7 Autoroute runs north / south through central France from Lyon to Marseille and there are two exits you can take to Avignon. Avignon Nord it is best to get to the Palace of the Popes, the famous half bridge, the old part of Avignon or the more modern huge shopping area. Avignon South it is more convenient for the TGV or Avignon airport.
On the train
Avignon is on the line TGV from Paris to Marseille, about two hours from Paris Gare de Lyon. It is also served by numerous regional trains.
Local and regional trains arrive at the central station outside the walls, south of the center. The TGVs arrive at Avignon TGV, about 2km outside the city. There is a train from Gare Centrale to Gare TGV, it takes about 6 minutes.
Once a week there is a Eurostar from London St. Pancras International for Avignon. The journey takes approximately 6 hours.
How to get around
The city itself is small and all the most important things to see are easily reached on foot. There is a bike sharing system called Vélopop. A smartcard is required.
What see
- 1 Place du Palais.
A popular tourist destination, right next to the Place de l'Horloge, even if the casual tourist can find these places outrageously expensive and crowded with tourists during the summer. Smaller squares frequented by locals, and with much lower prices, are within a short distance in almost every direction. Recommended Place Pie, with its covered market (06:00 - 13:00 every day) where you can find fresh produce, cheeses, wines, and local products.
2 Palace of the Popes, 6 Rue Pente Rapide. It is one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. It was built between 1335 and 1364 on the natural rocky outcrop at the north-eastern end of the city, overlooking the Rhone river. Avignon became the residence of the popes in 1309 to 1377.
Pont d'Avignon
- 3 Pont Saint-Benezet.
It is a ruined bridge, not far from the Palace of the Popes. The bridge was built in the Middle Ages - before the arrival of the papacy - perhaps in part to allow the local bishop to cross the river to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, where the ecclesiastical authorities had settled due to the then widespread filth and lawlessness of Avignon.
The legend of the construction of the bridge is that a local pastor, Benezet (a dialect form of Benedict) was inspired by the angels to build a bridge. When his appeals to the city authorities proved futile, he took a large block of stone and threw it into the river to make the first stone of the bridge. Convinced by this demonstration of divine will, the bridge was quickly built. The poor shepherd was canonized, and his chapel remains on the surviving part of the bridge.
If the bridge was inspired by God, the Deity must have quickly changed his mind because the bridge quickly became dangerous and, following numerous floods, mostly abandoned. Originally the bridge had 22 arches, reaching the Philip the Fair tower through the île de la Barthelasse in the middle of the river. Only 4 of the 22 arches remained. A multilingual audio tour of the bridge explains some particularities of the local history.
The well-known song "Sur Le Pont d'Avignon" (on the bridge of Avignon) refers to the bridge. The bridge itself is too narrow for dances or festivals -. The original text of the song was "sous (below) le pont d'Avignon", referring to the parties and entertainment staged on the Ile de la Barthelasse. The current version was popularized by a 19th-century operetta, whose librettist clearly assumed that 'sous le pont d'Avignon' would mean in the river.
Museums
Avignon has its museums ranging from those of modern art to those where finds from prehistoric, Roman and medieval times are exhibited.
- Angladon Museum.
- Calvet Museum.
- Musée du Petit Palais.
Events and parties
What to do
You can ride a bike, there are many places to explore in the city and its surroundings, or you can take boat trips on the Rhone, in the city there are several agencies that organize them. The excursions vary in duration from a few hours to a few days.
Shopping
- Flea market, Place des Carmes.
Every Sunday morning. - Market, Les Halles d'Avignon. Tue-Sun. Local specialties and cooking classes on Sunday mornings.
- Pure Lavender, 61, rue grande Fusterie, ☎ 33 490 147 005. Shop specializing in lavender products.
Every Sunday morning.How to have fun
Night clubs
- Le Vin Devant Soi (wine shop), 4 rue Collège du Roure (off Rue de la République, south of Place de l'Horlorge), ☎ 33 49 0820439. Wine shop with a tasting machine with 32 different wines. You buy a credit of how much you want, they give you a card that you insert in the machine to choose the wine you want to taste. The tastings are of three different sizes with prices that vary according to the wine. Very nice staff, nice atmosphere.
Where to eat
Average prices
- Restaurant l'Orangerie, Place Jerusalem (a few minutes from Place de l'Horloge). Small Provençal / Corsican style restaurant. In summer there are tables in the square, the rest of the year the few tables are inside.
- Terre de Saveur, 1 rue Saint Michel (south of Places des Corps Saints). Vegetables and meat, quality local products for a good Mediterranean cuisine.
- Epicerie, 10, Place Saint Pierre (in a small square south of the Palais des Papes), ☎ 33 49 0827422.
€ 25 for lunch excluding wine. Try the Assiette Epicière to have an example of Provençal specialties such as tapenade, ratatouille, with salad and ham. - Au Tout Petit, 4, rue d'Amphoux, ☎ 33 49 0823886. Three-course dinner € 24. Small and with cuisine ré-créative, that is traditional European dishes reinvented, ask for information before ordering.
- Restaurant Christian Etienne. Very famous chef, the restaurant is partly in the Palais des Papes. There is also an excellent vegetarian menu.
€ 25 for lunch excluding wine. Try the Assiette Epicière to have an example of Provençal specialties such as tapenade, ratatouille, with salad and ham.Where stay
Moderate prices
- Auberge-Camping Bagatelle (Ile de la Barthelasse). Hotel / hostel / campsite in the center of the Rhone. Perhaps the best budget choice with great amenities and great city views.
- Hotel d'Angleterre, 29 Boulevard Raspail (10 minutes walk from the station), ☎ 33 4 90 86 34 31, fax: 33 4 90 86 86 74, @[email protected]. Small and cheap.
- Avignon Hotel Monclar, 13-15 Avenue Monclar, ☎ 33 4 90 86 20 14, fax: 33 4 26 23 68 31. Double with bathroom € 30-60, apartments from € 75, breakfast € 7 in the garden 7: 30-11. Family management, recently renovated. Wi-fi, taxi service, they speak 7 languages.
- Hotel Boquier Avignon, 6 rue du portail Boquier (near the tourist office), ☎ 33 4 90 82 34 43. 55/69€. Nice hotel in an 18th century house.
Average prices
- Danieli Hotel, Rue de la République. Double: 80 € / night.
- Mas du Clos de l'Escarrat, Route de Carpentras chemin de l'Escarrat. Bed & Breakfast € 80.
- Hotel Le Colbert, rue Agricol Perdiguier, 7, ☎ 33 4 90 86 20 20. tanze from € 78.
- Au Saint Roch, rue Paul Mérindol, 9, ☎ 33 6 90 16 50 00, fax: 33 4 90 82 78 30, @[email protected]. From 48 € to 65 €, 75 € with breakfast. Hotel with a nice garden.
High prices
- Hotel d 'Europe, 12, Place Crillon. 350€. 5 stars.
- La Mirande Hotel, place de la Mirande, 4. Over 400 €. 5 stars in a renovated 700 year old building.
Safety
Be wary of anyone around the Palais des Papes area (or anywhere else in Avignon) trying to get you to sign an alleged petition. They also try to simply approach you when you leave the Palace of the Popes and say they work for the Palace of the Popes or other authorities in Avignon. This is false. If you sign then they will ask you for money. Ignore them, just say "no" and keep walking. For the rest, the city is quiet, in any case just take the usual precautions and be careful.
How to keep in touch
Around
Some of the most beautiful villages in Provence are within easy reach of Avignon:
- Le Pont du Gard - This spectacular three-tiered ancient Roman stone bridge is one of the largest and best preserved examples of Roman architecture in France. Take the A15 "Edgard" bus in front of the post office just inside the old city wall. Alternatively, taxi from the SNCF station for around 50 euros.
- Les Baux de Provence - Referred to as one of the most beautiful villages in France, on a spur of rock in the heart of the Alpilles, this country dominates Arles and the Camargue and offers an exceptional panorama. Stunning medieval stone fortress.
- Gordes - Delightful village perched on a rock, facing the Luberon mountains, Gordes has been classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. There are cobbled streets and a magnificent castle that seems like a thousand legends.
- Roussillon - Also classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, facing the Luberon mountains, Roussillon is famous for its magnificent red cliffs and ocher quarries.
- Fontaine de Vaucluse - Located in a valley at the foot of the Vaucluse mountains, surrounded by a cliff carved by erosion, this village owes its fame to its source which is the largest in France. The source is also the source of one of the most beautiful rivers in the department, the Sorgue River.
- Saint Remy de Provence - Located in the heart of the Alpilles, this typical Provençal village, built on one of the oldest Roman cities, has inspired many artists including Vincent Van Gogh.
- Arles - This city, which has a history of 2500 years, is also known as "Little Rome of Gaul". It has some impressive Roman monuments including the famous Arena. Arles is also the first city that Van Gogh discovered when he settled in the South of France and which inspired some of his masterpieces.
Useful information
Office de Tourisme, 41 cours Jean Jaures (on the main street, it starts inside the walls in front of the train station). You can find a map of the city and lists of hotels, restaurants and things to do and see both night and day.
