The last stop on our journey was Avignon. It was home to seven Popes from 1309 to 1376 and we were destined to visit the Papal palace but first lets start with our view from the Hermod as we awoke and looked over the Rhône.
We left the Hermod and, after a walk along the quayside, we entered the town through a gate in the medieval city wall.
Passing by the Church of Saint Agricole, a 7th century Gothic church, . . .
. . . we came upon our first painted window.
The painted windows are a tribute to the annual July theatre festival and reproduce scenes from memorable performances. Here is another building with a couple of painted windows.
A close up.
Then we found ourselves in the Place de l’Horloge looking at the Hotel de Ville . . .
. . . and L’Opera Theatre.
Here is a typical sidewalk cafe named after the Opera. It was very inviting like most sidewalk cafes.
As we were making our way to the Palace of the Popes I snapped this photo. I am curious, what is on the other side of the double door?
As we approached we spied the Madonna atop the Avignon Cathedral, a Roman Catholic Church, next to the Palace of the Popes, which is the seat of the Archbishop of Avignon.
The Palace of the Popes is a cold, intimidating melange of buildings.
What follows are photos taken in and about the Palace. The interior for the most part was composed of towering grey walls with little to no artwork. To say it was cold is, in my opinion, an understatement. Still it has great historical significance and is worth a visit. Personally, if I was Pope I’d prefer Vatican City in Rome.
I am including this modern weaving for a couple of reasons, first even this is composed of muted and, somewhat, drab colors. Second, you can get a feeling for the height and color of the walls.
Here is a model of the Palace along with a photo of our guide.
This room is an exception to the cold, impersonal rooms of the Palace. Perhaps there may have been some beauty in the Palace at one time.
One more photo, which I like, before we leave the Palace.
A typical side street.
The Church of Saint Pierre.
The beautiful carved wooden doors leading into Saint Pierre.
A small cafe outside Saint Pierre.
No visit is complete until we make a stop at the local market. Here are a couple of photographs of the market in Avignon.
Then, we were on our way back to the boat and I took these shots as we made our way.
Graffiti anyone?
The Madonna occupies a special place in the hearts of the locals. Madonnas can be seen in many places on many buildings. Here are two examples.
Good bye Avignon.