Avignon

Understand

thumb|300px|The Papal Palace and the cathedral 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.

Get around

thumb|A Vélopop station 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

thumb|The decoration of a window inside the Papal Palace thumb|300px|Pont Saint-Bénezet (Pont d'Avignon) 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.

Do

If you are confident about biking, there are a lot of places to bike to alongside bike lanes, including the green Barthelasse island, historic Villeneuve. Avignon lies along the ViaRhona, a major cycling itinerary between northern Europe and the Mediterranean. 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.

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.

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. Tarascon a medieval town, just a short train ride to the south Mont Ventoux, for nature to visit by car or by bike