Avignon

Well our plan to have a casual start to the day was right as we didn't even wake until 9.15 am!!! Had a very pleasant breakfast with our host Veronique (who learnt a bit of English while we learnt a bit of French - its amazing how hand signals clarify a lot!!).

Our first stop was at the Palais Des Papes which (from memory) has been the home of 13 popes throughout history. Pope Clement V moved the papal court to Avignon in 1309 and it was transformed over time from a fairly modest beginning to a large palace. We spent about two hours walking around there and then went to the Rocher Des Doms Gardens near the city wall which gave beautiful views across Avignon and the surrounding countryside. Unfortunately, it was very windy (which is not uncommon) so had to avoid the clouds of dust that swirled around us at various points (it is at the top of an exposed part of the city). We then went on the Pont Saint-Benezet which is a bridge that was built from 1171-1185 but most of it was destroyed by floods in 1668. It was a main point of access for pilgrims to Avignon but was historically a rather perilous undertaking as it was narrow, high and sat above the fastest flowing river in France (Rhone). This bridge is the one referred to in the children's song "Sur le pont d' Avignon".

We spent the remainder of the day (and there wasn't a lot by then) strolling around the city before returning to our B&B. This merry-go-round was very pretty and I think dates back to about 1900.

There is plenty more here we could do (especially if we went out into the countryside) but tomorrow is another destination.