Avignon

The historic heart of Avignon, the city of the Popes from 1309 to 1376, is today a UNESCO World Heritage site. Protected by its ramparts, the old city has preserved wonderful testimony to its past. The Palace of the Popes, built in the 14th century, is an absolute must during your visit. This fortress, the residence of the Popes in the 14th century, is a magnificent Gothic palace consisting of two parts, the Old Palace and the New Palace.
The Palace Square is also surrounded by other prestigious buildings such as the Small Palace, the former residence of the archbishops, which is now a museum, housing paintings and sculptures; the Mint Hotel with a 17th century Baroque façade; and the Notre-Dame-des-Doms Cathedral built in the 12th century.
The Rock of the Doms, the very origin of the city, is a pleasant high garden that offers a fine view of the Rhône and more specifically of the Saint-Bénezet Bridge, better known as the Avignon Bridge.
Place du Horloge, with its plane trees and café terraces, is a pleasant and very lively place, especially during the Avignon Festival period. The particularly picturesque Rue des Teinturiers is ideal for walks along the Sorgu River and its beautiful water wheels.
The famous Avignon festival, “In” and “Off”, in the month of July, is a major spectacle. The “In” festival, which takes place on the castle square of the Popes’ Palace, is devoted to plays, concerts and dance. The festival “Off” offers numerous performances all over the city.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO
The Palais des Papes, the fourteenth-century monument, is certainly the most famous tourist site in the entire city of Avignon. Unesco listed, it is one of the greatest Gothic buildings of the Middle Ages. Former papal residence, this fortress was the seat of Western Christianity for much of the fourteenth century. The Palais des Papes is made up of the overlap of two separate buildings, the old palace of Benedict XII, which takes place on the Rocher des Doms and the new palace of Clement VI. It is now one of the ten most visited French monuments each year, and annually hosts important cultural events such as the festival “in” to Avignon. During the visit, one can appreciate the twelve laps, as well as many rooms as the room of the conclave which was once a flat for guests or the room of the Big hearing. The stag room is currently one of the most famous pieces of the Popes’ Palace, mainly because of its decoration. Visitors can discover a beautiful deer hunt painted on the western wall. The architectural complex also includes several chapels, as well as different courses such as the courtyard of 1800 square metres, or the cloister courtyard.
Another mecca of tourism Avignon, the famous Saint Benezet Bridge. Honoured by a famous song, the building dates back to the 12th century and was also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It now has four arches that have stood the test of time.
The historic centre of Avignon is still surrounded by walls that date back to the fourteenth century. Long four kilometres, they are equipped with seven gates open on the city and its 39 laps.
Classified as a historical monument, the salt Grenier is a former salt warehouse built in the mid-fourteenth century. Near the ramparts, the current date of the eighteenth-century monument and now serves as exhibitions and performances at the festival “off” Avignon.
Walking through the old town of Avignon, you can also admire many homes. It was built in no less than 130 between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries. This will be noted that of Brancas whose minister Necker hosted in his disgrace, that of Laurens, one of Brantes, or Sade hotel that once belonged to the family of the same name.
The hotel Villeneuve-Martignan, built in the sixteenth century, now serves as home to the Musée Calvet classified Museum of France. collections you can admire the archaeology, the fine arts, or the decorative arts such as tapestry, wrought iron or porcelain.
Other museums also take place Avignon as the Petit Palais museum with collections of Italian primitive paintings, the Requien museum which focuses on natural history, the lapidary museum and antiques, or Jean-Vilar, Annex Library of France, and the Angladon museum. The latter takes place in the mansion and reveals Massilian eighteenth century art collections. Collection of works of contemporary art, the Lambert collection can be admired in the Caumont hotel since the 2000s. Saint Pierre’s Cathedral in Avignon is a monument from the mid-fourteenth century, which took place in an old building from the seventh century. Mainly Gothic, it was classified as a historical monument. Inside a number of works of art are present, such as the monumental altarpiece of Saint Peter.