Avignon

Avignon is the capital of the French department of Vaucluse in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, and is on the banks of the Rhône river. Avignon was one of the European Cities of Culture in 2000 and its historical centre has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Prior to the latter's annexation by France in 1791, Avignon was the papal capital of the independent Comtat Venaissin.

Understand
Avignon is famous as the city to which the Popes fled when leaving the corruption of Rome in the 14th century. Le Palais des Papes (Palace of Popes) which was built then is the world's largest Gothic building. It was largely emptied over the centuries, and its vast stone rooms are filled with little more than old frescos, but it is still an imposing building. The Ramparts themselves were erected to keep the plague and invaders out during the turbulent Middle Ages, when Avignon belonged to the papacy and not the French crown.

Its early history is much older than the popes, however. Avignon occupies a strategic location for several reasons - it is at the confluence of two once-mighty rivers: the Rhône, still one of the biggest rivers in France, and the now largely-dammed Durance. Both were important routes of trade and communication even in prehistoric times. In addition, there is a long island in the Rhone that made it possible to ferry people and goods across, and later bridge the river, more easily than in other places.

The city has a population of 92,000 people (2017), 16,000 of which live 'intra-muros,' or within the ramparts built in the 14th century.

The city is now sprinkled with buildings and monuments ranging from the new to the old, the very old, and the ageless.

History
Avignon has been continuously inhabited since the stone age, when habitations were built in caves in the “Rocher des Doms”, a massive outcropping of rock rising over the banks of the Rhône. Today, a public park with benches, views over the surrounding countryside, a café and playground is on top of the Rocher.

The Romans had a presence in Avignon, though the walls they built lie buried somewhere under the modern streets. Vestiges of the forum can still be seen, lying unassumingly near the Rue Racine and the Rue Saint-Étienne, to the west of the city.

Then, in medieval times, the town grew to an important center of communication and trade. The stone bridge spanning the Rhone was one of only three between the Mediterranean and Lyon. It was undoubtedly for its strategic location and ease of travel that it was chosen by the papacy as home within the then kingdom of Provence. The presence of the papacy made Avignon into a city of great political and economic activity. The old city wall, now visible only as a street that circles the centre of the town (changing names 5 times in the process!) was much too small and a larger wall, still visible today, was necessary to protect its bulging population. Wealthy Cardinals built extravagant palaces known as livrées both within Avignon and across the river, in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.

The city teemed with activity and building as architects, builders, artists flocked to the town. At that time, within the city walls there were over 100 churches and chapels - many of which have been transformed since then into everything from shops to a movie theatre! The wealth and activity generated by the presence of the papacy spilled out into the region, so that even small villages nearby boast a rich architectural past.



By bus
Avignon is connected to most other European cities with Flixbus. For regional travelers, following your common source, you can take: the Vaucluse département buses of the "TransVaucluse Network"; departmental buses of Bouches-du-Rhône, whose schedules are available on Lepilote; or departmental "cars du Gard", working under the name of "Edgar". All lines to the terminal bus station Avignon, which is near the train station and the walls surrounding the city center.

By boat
While there is no regular boat line in Avignon, you can arrive by boat in Avignon via river cruises.

By car
From Paris or Lyon, you can reach Avignon by the Autoroute du Soleil and take the Avignon-Nord exit and follow the N107 then the D225 towards AVIGNON Centre. This urban road leads straight to the famous Avignon bridge just before where you have a large pay car park (car park the Palais des Papes), which leads directly onto the Place du Palais des Papes in the heart of the city.

Other parking solutions, the municipality has set up 2 "relay parking + free shuttle" lots, with one bus every 10 minutes from 10:00 to 22:00. The first "Parking Italians", accessible the D225 road which runs. Circuit the shuttle drops users in the intramural centre, near the Town Hall Square; the second is located on the Ile de la Barthelasse (head Villeneuve lès Avignon and follow the signs). The shuttle drops users at Gate Oulle, about 200 m from the bridge of Avignon (Saint Bénézet bridge).

From Montpellier or Nîmes, exit on the A9 (exit Roquemaure, the first after the junction with the A7), then follow the direction Avignon.

Get around
The old city centre is not very big and can be easily explored on foot. An automatic bike sharing scheme called Vélopop' allows you to ride along. Smartcard needed.

See


Other popular tourist destinations include: the, just next to the , though someone may find these places shockingly expensive, and overcrowded in season. Within a short distance in just about any direction are some smaller squares frequented by the locals, and much lower prices. Like, with its covered market (open 06:00 to 13:00 everyday) which sells fresh produce, cheeses, wines, and produits du pays.

Museums
Avignon has its share of museums, ranging from modern art museums to museums housing artefacts from the Roman and pre-Roman days.

Do

 * If you are confident about biking, there are a lot of places to bike to.
 * Rugby league: SO Avignon play in Elite 1, the top French tier for 13-a-side rugby. Their home ground is Parc des Sports (capacity 10,000) 3 km southeast of town centre. The playing season is Sept-April.

Drink
The Rhone valley around Avignon is a major wine-growing region. The most famous wine is Châteauneuf du Pape, which translates as "the Pope's new house"; in medieval times there were some Popes based in Avignon. The reds are better known but there are also some fine whites.

Mid-range

 * Mas du Clos de l'Escarrat Route de Carpentras chemin de l'Escarrat. €80 Bed & Breakfast
 * Mas du Clos de l'Escarrat Route de Carpentras chemin de l'Escarrat. €80 Bed & Breakfast

Go next
The surrounding region is full of interesting sites, There are three sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List
 * Arles is full of Roman and Romanesque monuments and worthy of a full days exploration. 17 min from Avignon by TER.
 * Orange just a short train ride to the north is home to one of the finest Roman theatres in Europe
 * Le Pont du Gard is about 30 km to the west it is probably the finest Roman aqueduct still in existence, and a great place for hiking and canoeing.
 * Tarascon a medieval town, just a short train ride to the south

Other notable sites nearby are:
 * Nimes which has a huge Roman amphitheatre and a famous Greek temple
 * Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a short train ride north and is home to some of France's most famous vineyards
 * Aix-en-Provence, town of water - town of art, founded by the Romans.