08 March 2022 | Culture, Tourism
The Pope's Palace and the Pont d'Avignon
On holiday in the south of France? Take the time to visit Avignon, a famous city in the heart of Provence.
Le Palais des Papes - The Pope's Palace
The Palais des Papes is one of the 10 most visited monuments in France. In the 14th century, 9 popes resided in the palace. It is the largest Gothic palace in the West.
3 guided tours are offered with different themes:
- Behind the scenes: Unusual visit to discover rooms of the monument usually closed to the public, including the rooves of the Great Chapel and the majestic Conclave room. A rare privilege! The opportunity to hear stories and anecdotes about the private life of the Pope and his court in the 14th century.
- The Dark Side: An invitation to discover the Palais des Papes through the dark and mysterious episodes of its history! The famous Palace of the Popes was the scene of plots, suicides, poisoning, superstitions. This visit is a different way to approach its history through legends and fiction. -On the decor side This presentation of the Palais des Papes emphasizes the different types of princely decorations that developed in the 14th century: decorative sculpture and its inexhaustible thematic range, inspired in particular by the bestiary, painted decorations and the great masters including Simone Martini and Matteo Giovannetti, green and brown ceramics as well as stained glass. This visit includes the visit of the Saint Martial Chapel, not accessible to the public. The guided tour does not include the gardens of the Palais des Papes (possibility of buying your entrance ticket to the gardens in addition).
http://www.palais-des-papes.com/en
Le Pont d'Avignon
The Avignon bridge also bears the name of Pont Saint Bénezet. The legend says that a young shepherd named Bénezet wanted to build a bridge and wanted to start the construction by lifting a huge rock to throw it into the Rhône. None of the villagers believed him and laughed at him. It was then that by divine intervention, the shepherd succeeded in lifting the rock and throwing it into the water. Thus began the construction of the bridge. The construction dates from the 12th century. A 900m long bridge. Of the 22 original arches, only 4 survive today.
The bridge inspired the famous nursery rhyme composed by Adolphe Adam in the 19th century; On the bridge of Avignon: We dance there, we dance there On the bridge of Avignon We all dance in circles
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
Holiday rental homes in Provence with Pure France
