We Didn’t Dance on the Bridge ... A Day in Avignon

Today, 13th of September (a Friday no less) we enjoyed the charms of Avignon (ah-even-yohn) which is well known for the nursery rhyme, the medieval bridge and home to the Palace of the Popes.

There is a mix of new and old. 

We parked at the Centre-Ville train station parking lot just outside the walls and walked into the city through the « Porte de La République «. 

We wandered along the Main Street in the direction to Place de L’Horloge (referred to as the heart of the city, here you’ll find the Town Hall and Opera House built in the 19th century). 

Some street entertainment ...

The Hôtel de Ville / Town Hall

We continued on to the Palace Square ... where we hoped to be tourists on the “Petit Train”.

We climbed on the waiting train, there seemed to be some kind of delay ... finally, after much discussion between the driver and ticket seller it was determined the train’s brakes were “caput”!

Everyone off the train ...

Palace of the Popes 

It was extremely hot and humid. We wandered back to Place de L’Horloge finding a café/restaurant with front row seats to view the activity in the square for some refreshments and lunch. 

Now we were ready to try the train again ... away we went for an interesting narrated 45-minute train ride.

And yes it was a good thing they check the train’s brakes as some of the tour climbed high above to the Rocher des Doms Gardens. 

This hill overlooks the Rhône and was where the first inhabitants of Avignon settled over 5000 years ago. 

Wonderful views and beautiful gardens ...

Can you see the Pont d’Avignon (Saint Benezet Bridge) ... UNESCO World Heritage site, built between 1171 and 1185? 

Famous for the nursery rhyme song “ Sur le Pont ...”  

Sur le Pont d'Avignon
L'on y danse, l'on y danse
Sur le Pont d'Avignon
L'on y danse tous en rond.

On the bridge of Avignon
We're all dancing, we're all dancing
On the bridge of Avignon
We're all dancing round and round.

In the winter of 1668, most of the bridge was destroyed by an icy flood. 

There are only 4 arches remaining. 

The original bridge was significant in size spanning a half mile with 22 arches.

The water fountain in the gardens.

The train took us through narrow streets in various neighbourhoods and squares.

One of the many shaded squares.

I was in awe of the beautiful buildings and architecture.

We had full day with some sight seeing, a little retail therapy and a leisurely lunch. 

Slow Travelling in Uzès

12th September 2019

Description

Uzès is a small town and a commune in the Gard department in southern France. It lies about 25 kilometres north-northeast of Nîmes, 40 kilometres west of Avignon, and 32 kilometres south-east of Alès. Wikipedia

If it’s Thursday it must be Uzès! 

We left Saint-Remy de Provence with not much planned other than a leisurely day trip to Uzès for a wander, a visit with our favourite artist, David Jamin and some lunch in the main square Place aux Herbes. 

Monsieur Honey and I spent a week in Uzès, five years ago as part of my “changing of my front door” Birthday celebrations. 

We were lucky to find street parking within easy walking distance to the centre-ville. Of course it was just opposite a brocante/ antique store one of Monsieur Honey’s favourite things to do.

A quick look around and we were on our way.  

Uzès (oo-zehs) is another town that is circled by a ring road with the historic area in the center. 

The teddy bears were still hanging around at this shoppe.

We discovered an unique florist shop with Uzès pottery containing heart shaped succulents ...

We wondered how we could get these back to Canada.

Our entourage popped our heads in and out of various unique boutiques and shoppes as we wandered.

And before we knew it the church bells were ringing “12 bells” ... 

time for some lunch in Place aux Herbes, also a great place to people watch.

It was a seafood feast! 

Now let’s visit David and Severine’s new gallery! 

It’s down here ... 

We were warmly greeted as always. 

We toured the new addition to the gallery and had a good visit.

His work continues to be impressive.

Sadly no artwork souvenir this year. That just means we have to go back.







Are you saving a seat for us?

The Duchy of Uzès 

 A Bientôt Uzès! 

Following the Van Gogh Route

Wednesday ... Part 2 

After our much needed siesta we headed out on the Van Gogh walk which would take us to the monastery where Vincent Van Gogh spent one of his last years. 

We followed the instructions received from the tourist office which stated it was about an kilometre walk. 

Monsieur Honey and I had previously done this walk visiting the museum in 2015 on a day trip to Saint-Remy de Provence from our home base in Sarrians. 

The walk took us through the countryside that had inspired Vincent Van Gogh. 

The route was marked with panels containing reproductions of some of Van Gogh’s paintings that he completed during his time in Saint-Rémy.

The panels are placed in front of locations of what Van Gogh was painting and with excerpts from letters he wrote to family and friends. 

You can’t get lost if you follow these brass markers ... 

The walk takes you to « Le Monastère St. Paul de Mausole » ... St. Paul Monastery and Hospital where Van Gogh was treated from 1889 to 1890. The clinic still operates as a psychiatric hospital / rest home. 

A wing of the Romanesque cloister now functions as a museum which includes a reconstruction of the painter’s bedroom, there is a chapel and beautiful peaceful, gardens. While here Vincent created approximately 150 paintings and another 100 drawings. 

The chapel...

The view from the back gardens ... 

Mont Ventoux in the background ...

Some late summer flowers in the gardens ...



Now the return walk ...but first let’s check out “Les Antiques” .

Les Antiques marked the entrance to Glanum and are said to be some of the best preserved Roman architecture in Provence.

L’Arc de Triomphe /The Arch of Triumph (20 A.D.)

Le Mausolée de Julii/ The Mausoleum of Julii (30 B.C.) 

I have so much more to share about this amazing place ... but only so much space! 

I suggest you visit Saint-Remy de Provence ... follow “the landscapes of Vincent Van Gogh trail” and visit the Monastery.