While traveling to France, do make a trip to Avignon in southern France. Avignon is a commune with a metropolitan population of about 300,000. The city's population in mid 2004 was 89,300. Avignon is the prefecture or capital of the Vaucluse department. Avignon is connected by the TGV Méditerranée high-speed rail. A trip to Avignon would be full of fun for the tourists.
Avignon sits on the left bank of the Rhône, about 580 km, south-south-east of Paris, 229 kilometers south of Lyon and 85 kilometers north-north-west of Marseilles. Avignon, occupying a big oval shaped area, is covered in a major fashion by parks and gardens. Avignon is subject to very strong winds such as the mistral.
When you make that trip to Avignon, you will discover that Avignon could have been a Celtic hill fort, founded by the Cavares / Cavari gallic tribes. Its name is derived from the Avennius clan and it became a flourishing center under the Romans. After many turns and twists of history, Avignon gained in importance and Pope Clement V chose it as his residence in 1309. From 1309 till 1377 it remained as the papal seat. Avignon was papal property until 1791. During the French Revolution's upheaval, it again fell into French hands. But the city gained immensely during the papal times.
In Avignon tourism, the Notre Dame des Doms cathedral enjoys a special attention. It is a Romanesque building, mainly of the 12th century. The gilded statue of the Virgin on the western tower is notable. The interior has many beautiful works of art, and the best among them is the fourteenth century Gothic carving mausoleum of Pope John.
The palace of the popes, Palais des Papes, is located on a square of the same name. John XXII began the construction in 1316 which was finally completed in 1370. The strength of this Gothic construction gives it the appearance of a fortress rather than a palace. The rooms inside, with their use of open space and fine frescoes, covey the papacy's cultural richness. It was also used as barracks and prison. Today, it is a municipal property.
Three churches in the city that have Gothic architecture are St Pierre, with a lovely facade and ornate carved doors, and also St Didier and St Agricol.
The civil buildings worth seeing are city hall, Hotel de Ville, a contemporary building with a fourteenth century belfry and Hotel des Monnaies, the papal mint built in 1610.The other sights which you must see on your trip to Avignon are fourteenth century fine medieval ramparts and fortification; a scenic twelfth ruined bridge of the 12th century; the Pont Saint-Bénézet; Calvet Museum; Pont d'Avignon famed for the famous French song “sur le pont d'Avignon”, Museum Carnavalet in the Petit Palais with Avignon school, fine Renaissance paintings; contemporary Collection Lambert and many other places of noteworthy interest.
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Also visit the famed annual Avignon Festival and the International Congress Center. Pierre Boulle, author of Planet of the Apes and The Bridge on the River Kwai treasured Avignon as a city. He was born there and died there.
For more information, please go through the site www.europetravelhub.com.
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