I’ll be honest. I didn’t know much about Avignon, France until I got here.
And even now, I don’t feel like I truly understand the city’s place in European history.
Here’s all I know: the small city about three hours south of Paris is located on the left bank of the Rhône and best known for the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), where several popes and antipopes lived from the early 14th to 15th centuries. The city is surrounded by an imposing stone wall, first built in the 13th century but torn down again and again over the decades. The ramparts were more than four kilometers long and eight meters high and surrounded by a water-filled moat. The walls were restored in 1860, making it one of the greatest fortifications of the 15th century in France.
What impressed me the most, though, was the laid-back atmosphere in Avignon. Drivers aside, the folks here seem to be in no rush at all. To the market, to church, to the pub — they all moved casually in and around the town. Guests were late to the wedding. The bride and groom were late to their own reception. (They had to be woken up, actually.) And everyone just goes at their own pace.
Stark contrast to Paris.
Even just an hour in this big city I can tell the difference.
Here’s what my last day in Avignon looked like.
FYI: I had my camera on a different ratio setting, so the photos are a bit smaller than normal. Apologies in advance.
24 Comments
Nice!! It’s always good to see the historic rural areas. One day when you go back, another place to visit is Chinon, where Joan of Arc trained. 🙂 So nice to see you having a nice time, Cat!
@Melissa808 Jeanne d’Arc,? i KNEW you reminded me of somebody else who was pushy
@turkfontaine @Melissa808 Oh-oh. On the advice of Counsel, your Honor, I plead the 5th Amendment and refuse to reply further upon knowing the ‘fist-o-death is nearby.
@harrycovair @turkfontaine I love the story about how the king tried to disguise himself before he met her, and Joan called him out. Pushy, indeed!
@Melissa808 @turkfontaine Sadly Jeanne was wrongfully put on the stake to burn. Her nullification trial found her innocent and declared her a martyr. Pierre Cauchon (?) was then implicated for heresy but had already died.
That period of history is so confusing to me. The English marry into the French reign and vice versa. Then to confuse me more the German Royal family gets involved with royal to royal marriage.
Got a picture of the royal lineage from Chenonceau or maybe Chinon. All for the name of peace which was really touch and go at the time.
I’m so amazed about how much you guys did already. Like I said on twitter, we’re in the Netherlands since last Friday but today is like the first day I feel I got over my jetlag.
@svache What are you doing in the Netherlands? Cold there?
@Cat We’re here for a family visit. To me it feels very cold after getting used to HI’s 85’s but my wife doesn’t seem to be bothered much by it lol (this while she is the HI local lol). It’s currently around 55F during the day, and slowly going down each day.
I’m so amazed about how much you guys did already. Like I said on twitter, we’re in the Netherlands since last Friday but today is like the first day I feel I got over my jetlag.
I just saw Cat’s picture of the Mona Lisa on Twitter. Amazing; to think she’s seeing one of the wonders of the world in person and sharing it with us almost instantaneously, it just boggles the mind.
@hikino Yes, it boggles the mind that Cat tweets something and everybody chimes in about her pic. Then others tweet back with more information and such like when @thedailydish said she was in a loooong line, @melissa808 said to go to the other entrance in the corner. Cat tweeted back that she was directed to the other line. How’s that for service!
@harrycovair @hikino @thedailydish LOL Yeah, I love giving specific instructions! It makes me useful, for once. hahaha
@harrycovair @thedailydish @melissa808 Yep! Just a few short years ago, sending a picture in real time like that, and getting real time responses, on an individual level using a common consumer device would have been dismissed as wild ravings or bad sci fi.
@harrycovair @thedailydish @melissa808 And Melissa, you are always useful and helpful, from directing us to wonderful food places locally, to giving short cut the line instructions to Cat half a world away.
@hikino @thedailydish @melissa808 Fuud Prom to draw attention to open your eyes and gawk at. Description of the ambiance, smells, and flavors to whet your appetite. Then the only thing left is to go there and experience the gastronomic delight yourself.
@harrycovair @hikino @thedailydish @melissa808 I gotta say Twitter is ridiculously helpful! Good thing I opted for the larger international data plan. I’d be screwed if I didn’t!
@Cat I’m unsure how it is in France but maybe next time it might be worth looking into getting a prepaid card with internet. My wife and I both did that with a Dutch provider and currently have 1 month unlimited internet for just € 9.50. only downside is that your phone needs to be unlocked (and of course this only works with SIM phones).
@svache @Cat I was told by AT&T that when you travel abroad with your phone, you will be billed for all voicemails that people leave at the same per minute rate as a call.
Funny you mentioned pizza in France. The best pizza I’ve had in all of Europe was actually in Vienna. Nothing in Italy compared!
Oh, and you have to try Nocciola (hazelnut) gelato!
Great pics Cat. Keep ’em coming.
You’re going to love the Louvre. Unfortunately you might only get to see part of it. Enjoy what Paris has to offer.
I thought the same thing about having only French food in France, but nope! A lot of it is the same, just a bit fancier. I ordered Pizza Hut one night, and it came with all kinds of cheese, including goat cheese. You’d never see that in the US. And no, I didn’t have snails until my last night there.
thigh high boots go so well with Converse Jack Purcell sneaks. we plucky french fellows will taunt you a second time!
Hello Cat!
Keep the pixs coming!