The City of Papes and its palace, witness to its past of the capital of Christianity in the Middle Ages, exude a particularly welcoming and enchanting atmosphere, with its architecture, alleys, cultural places, bars and restaurants. But Avignon is also its famous Saint-Bénezet bridge, famous throughout the world by the song, its unavoidable theater festival for 60 years, its Provencal cuisine and its wines from the Rhone coasts.
A former center of the Celts, a powerful Greek city and then Roman, it was in its history both spiritual, political, economic and cultural. Thanks to its past, Avignon can pride itself on having an exceptional architectural and artistic heritage that is still the largest and most beautiful Gothic ensemble in Europe today. Inscribed in the network of art cities labeled by the Ministry of Culture, it has also been classified as UNESCO heritage since 1995.
Capital of Christianity from the thirteenth century
The real event which marks Avignon takes place in the xiiith century when it becomes the City of Papes and the capital of medieval Christianity: This is the starting point for a remarkable metamorphosis. Avignon had to count almost 40 ¥ 000 letters. This figure, huge for that time, made it one of Europe's largest and most cosmopolitan cities. The Palace of Papes, a true symbol of the Church's influence on the Christian West in the xivth century, is both the largest fortress in the Middle Ages, Europe's largest Gothic palace, and the only pontifical palace built outside Rome. Built in less than 20 ¾ years from 1335, it is signed mainly by two popes, Benoît ˇ XII and Clément ˇ VI. At Grégoire's death XI, a troubled period for the papacy begins. It will lead to the definitive departure of the Pope towards Rome and a certain decline for Avignon.
A unique and prestigious Papes Palace
The palace is one of the 10 largest monuments in France. Despite apparent architectural unity, this building with a total surface area of 15 ¾ 000 square meters divides into two entities from two stages of construction: the Palais-Vieux, on the one hand, and the Palais-Neuf on the other. The great chapel is devoted, in summer, to art exhibitions. The recent Museum of the Work tells seven halls the history of this prestigious monument. The court of honor hosts a large part of the performances of the Avignon Festival every year, the others being scattered in twenty places, without hesitating to cross the Rhone. This event was created in September 1947. Its impact has gradually attracted an increasing number of companies to come there spontaneously. Since 1982, they have joined Avignon Public Off. This is the most interesting face for live entertainment fans. There are many creations, and there are small masterpieces that may access large scenes. The Festival hosts hundreds of shows and thousands of spectators from all walks of life, giving the city a very cosmopolitan side.
Facing the main entrance of the palace, the former hotel des Monnaie and its baroque façade deserve a great look. Not far away, visitors discover Notre-Dame-des-Doms Cathedral. The building was built in the twelfth century, in the midst of Roman Romanesque art. A few hundred steps away, the elegant Petit-Palais silhouette is designed with its Renaissance façade. Palace of Archbishops of Avignon, it is now home to a beautiful museum offering over 300 paintings painted or carved. It is an exceptional journey at the heart of the artistic creation of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
The city through its museums
This ancient spiritual and cultural capital also contains other museums intimately linked to its history and that of its inhabitants. The Calvet Museum, named in honor of the creator of the founding foundation, is characterized by the eclecticism of the exhibited works: pieces of goldsmith, earthenware, French and Italian paintings of xve in the twentieth century. The Angladon Museum offers works from Degas, Daumier, Sisley, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Picasso or Modigliani. Different but very pleasant to visit, the Louis-Vouland Museum features a rich collection of decorative arts in a quite original way.
With some courage, we climb up to the Dom rock. Birthplace of the city, the highest and inevitable point of the city, it offers an unforgettable panorama on the Rhône, the island of Barthelasse, the Fort Saint-André de Villeneuve and, in the background, Mount Ventoux.
Passing on the other side
You should not hesitate to cross the Rhône by the free river shuttle to discover Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, which was the main residence of the cardinals and senior officials of the Papal court in the xive century. Among the unmissable visits, the chartreuse of the Val-de-Blessdiction. Crossing his three cloisters, her chapel of the frescoes signed Matteo Giovannetti, visiting the cells of the monks, getting bogged down in front of the gardenets, letting themselves be invaded by the solemn serenity of the church, it is making a journey out of time. The Fort Saint-André's round road, as an unbeatable citadel, offers an exceptional panorama. From the Benedictine Abbey, only the lush Italian gardens, forming part of the 120 plus gardens of France, are visited.
To discover the daily life in Avignon, you must know how to take your time. The city is a makeshift maze of lanes inhabited by many terraces of cafés and restaurants, especially on the square of the Horloge. It is very nice to have a drink at any time of the day.
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When is it? In the spring, vegetation is in bloom and odors are intoxicating. Summer is also a real happiness, but the Indian summer can also be enjoyed. It is better to avoid winter.
Go there. By plane, Avignon and Nîmes-Garons airports are not served by internal lines. The closest are Marseille and Montpellier. By train, two stations: in the city center and the T.G.V. de Courtine railway station. By car, arrival by the A 7 and A 9 motorways, RN 7 and RN 100.
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