The historic city of Avignon is located in the south of France on the Rhone River. Well-known places in the area are Arles, Nimes, Orange and Montelimar. Avignon is located in the province of Province-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. Many visitors to the city of Avignon come here because the center is registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Babylonian captivity of the popes, which began in 1309, clearly put the city of Avignon on the map. Pope Clement V moved the papal residence from Rome to Avignon and thus obtained dominion over the city. This gave Avignon the name ‘cité des Papes’, city of the popes. The Popes’ Palace, which was built a few years later, still dominates the city.
According to Dictionary and Journal, Avignon is also a city in which cultural events are given a lot of space. The annual Festival d’Avignon has been attracting many visitors from home and abroad for years. This lively festival is all about theater and performing arts. Since its foundation in 1947, it is even considered the oldest and most famous festival in France.
Top 10 Things to Do in Avignon
#1. Pont du Gard
An old Roman aqueduct is located in the immediate vicinity of the town of Vers-Pont-du-Gard and Remoulins. It is considered one of the most beautiful Roman buildings in the region. Three floors are clearly visible in the construction of the Pont du Gard, each from a different period. The lower part most likely originated in the first century. The construction of this aqueduct allowed the transport of water from Uzès to the city of Nîmes to fill bathhouses, fountains and springs. The stones used for the now antique aqueduct came from ‘la career de L’Estel’, a quarry about six hundred meters away. During the Middle Ages, a floor was added to this aqueduct and the building was used as a bridge. With the span over the Gardon ou Gard river it was possible to use it as a passage. The third and final section of the Pont du Gard was constructed sometime in the seventeenth century. Since 1985, the more than 49 meters high Pont du Gard has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There is a visitor center on each side of the Pont du Gard where you can gather more information. The third and final section of the Pont du Gard was constructed sometime in the seventeenth century. Since 1985, the more than 49 meters high Pont du Gard has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There is a visitor center on each side of the Pont du Gard where you can gather more information. The third and final section of the Pont du Gard was constructed sometime in the seventeenth century. Since 1985, the more than 49 meters high Pont du Gard has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There is a visitor center on each side of the Pont du Gard where you can gather more information.
http://pontdugard.com/nl
#2. Palais des Papes
The Gothic-style Palais des Papes was built in the Middle Ages. About the year 1335 there was an order from Popes Benedict XII and later Clement VI to build a safe place. The first mentioned pope, Benedict XII, was a French monk who was appointed pope in 1334. After his death in 1342, Pope Clement VI was chosen to take over his position and with this also the construction contract for the realization of a palace for the Popes ‘Palais des Papes’. In this so-called ‘Babylonian captivity of the popes’, the popes did not reside in Rome, hostile to them, but in the French town of Avignon. This happened after the urgent advice of King Palais des Papes it became their refuge. It was not until 1377 that peace had returned to Rome and Pope Gregory XI decided to return. Palais des Papes has had several functions over the centuries. During the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte it was even used as a barracks and prison. Today Palais de Papes is registered as a ‘World Heritage Site’ by Unesco. It is now used as a museum, in which you can admire several Gothic cathedrals, private apartments of popes, theaters and a lot of religious art. All kinds of cultural activities and thematic exhibitions are regularly organized. private apartments of popes, theaters and lots of religious art. All kinds of cultural activities and thematic exhibitions are regularly organized. private apartments of popes, theaters and lots of religious art. All kinds of cultural activities and thematic exhibitions are regularly organized.
#3. Pont Saint-Benezet
The Pont Saint-Bénézet bridge, originally almost nine hundred meters long, is more recognizable to many people as Pont d’Avignon. The arch bridge Pont Saint-Bénézet was built in 1177 under the direction of the now patron saint of bridge builders, Bénézet of Avignon. In his own words, he received a vision from God. By building the bridge, the shepherd Bénézet made a connection between cities such as Lyon and the Mediterranean Sea, so that no more pilgrims would drown. With this he spanned the Rhone River. Only a few of the twenty-two arches are still visible. Multiple restorations were often destroyed by flooding. All that remains now is a ruin that is a memory for the song ‘Sur le Pont d’Avginon’. The surroundings of Pont Saint-Bénézet and the island of Île de la Barthelasse are extremely photogenic.
#4. Musee du Petit Palais
Around 1976 the doors of the Musée du Petit Palace in Avignon were opened. The museum as well as the gallery display many religious works of art. A large part of the works of art come from the Italian collector Giampietro Campana. His passion was mainly for Greek and Roman painting and sculpture. The art of the Musée du Petit Palais is particularly well reflected in the ambiance of the fourteenth century palace. You will find works by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Girolamo Marchesi, Giovanni di Palo, Sandro Botticelli and Vittore Carpaccio, among others. In the immediate vicinity of the Musée du Petit Palais, there is another well-known palace, the Palais des Papes.
#5. Avignon Cathedral
Within the ancient walls of the historic center, Avignon Cathedral occupies a dominant position. The cathedral ‘Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms d’Avignon’ was built in the second half of the twelfth century. However, the tower was not placed on it until two centuries later. On top of the tower is a six meter high statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was placed there in 1859. With one hand she protects the city and with the other she blesses it. During the French Revolution, Avignon Cathedral also suffered a lot of damage. The current appearance was therefore largely obtained during a reconstruction that took place in the nineteenth century. In Avignon Cathedral, you can discover beautiful works of art spanning different eras. The funerary monument of Pope John XXII is also worth seeing.
#6. Musée Calvet
On rue Joseph-Vernet, there is a museum named after Claude François Calvet. This learned physician also had a great passion for collecting works of art, archaeological objects, books and antiques. After his death in 1810, he bequeathed his very valuable collection to the city of Avignon. In the current Musée Calvet, art, science, archeology and ethnography come together in a special way. In the permanent collection you will find works from between the sixteenth and twentieth centuries. Among the primitive and prehistoric art you will find ceramic objects, gourds, art made of ivory and limestone memorial stones.
#7. Musée Requien
Lovers of natural science and botany should definitely pay a visit to Muséé Requien. Named after the French naturalist Requien, this museum is filled with a valuable collection of books, a very extensive herbarium, a decent zoological and geological collection and other remarkable treasures from nature. In addition to visiting this excellent collection, the museum also offers various educational and scientific activities. Think of workshops in which you get to work as a researcher and for the little ones an interactive treasure hunt in the museum on wolves.
#8. Les Halles of Avignon
Halles d’Avignon has been a household name in this region of France for over a century. As early as the second half of the eighteenth century, concrete plans arose for Les Halles de Avignon. The current Les Halles of Avignon on la Place Pie, were built in the second half of the twentieth century. Although the project was planned in 1965, it was finally started eight years later. The opening took place in April 1974. The natural green wall at the front of Les Halles du Avignon is a design by Patrick Blanc. This botanist from France is known for integrating living plants into architecture. One of his latest works is the vertical garden ‘One Central Park’ in New York. Les Halles of Avignon are frequented by both locals and tourists visiting the city of Avignon. All kinds of workshops are given by various chefs, market merchants try to sell their goods and you can of course try out delicious products, dishes and authentic or innovative recipes. Les Halles have several entrances and exits. You can reach the halls via Rue de l’Olivier, Place Pie and rue Petite Meuse. The doors are closed on Mondays. market merchants try to sell their goods and you can of course try out delicious products, dishes and authentic or innovative recipes. Les Halles have several entrances and exits. You can reach the halls via Rue de l’Olivier, Place Pie and rue Petite Meuse. The doors are closed on Mondays. market merchants try to sell their goods and you can of course try out delicious products, dishes and authentic or innovative recipes. Les Halles have several entrances and exits. You can reach the halls via Rue de l’Olivier, Place Pie and rue Petite Meuse. The doors are closed on Mondays.
#9. Musée Angladon
On the Rue Laboureur you can visit an eighteenth century mansion designed by the architect Jean Peru. This building houses the Musée Angladon, which was founded in 1996 by Jean Angladon-Dubrujeaud. This heir to the well-known Parisian couturier Jacques Doucet has inherited a rather valuable art collection. These included pieces such as Picasso’s Demoiselles d’Avignon and masterpieces by Vincent van Gogh, Vuillard and Modigliani, among others. Some have been sold, but much of the remarkable art has remained. Musée Angladon and the Jacques Doucet Collection are therefore definitely worth a visit.
#10. Fort Saint-Andrea
From different directions in the city you have a view of the stately Fort Saint-André. The medieval fortress was built around 1360 by order of King Jean II le Bon ‘John the Good’. This sent a clear signal confirming royal power over the popes. Connoisseurs will recognize sufficient military architecture in it. Within the walls of Fort Saint-André Villeneuve-lez-Avignon are also the Benedictine abbey, the gardens, the former village of Saint-André, watchtowers, the twin towers and a chapel. The construction of the fort therefore proceeded in several phases. Until the French Revolution, the fortress was largely occupied by officers and soldiers as a home base.
