Avignon: Palace de Papes and the Pont du Gard aqueduct

On our way to Avignon on May 30th! We started with a class at 8 am on the 14th century in the South of France.



We arrive at the Palias des Papes (Palace of the Popes) the center of the Roman Catholic church for 100 years durng the 14th century.

This is the chapel part of the medieval masterpiece.

One of these turrets on the other side of the building was where the barbecue was located. It had a large area to put the grill to cook the food, which was usually birds, because they were considered closer to God.



Another building across the plaza from the Palais des Papes.


When the Vatican moved back to Rome, church leaders took everything with them, but left the paintings and murals. Many were destroyed throughout the years from fire, theft, and other means. Here is part of a ceiling mural.



The Pope would stand in this window to address the people. Avignon had a population of about 5,000 before the Pope moved there, and it rose to about 200,000 with all the people needed to service the cardinals and their families.



Here is our guide Maria explaining the expansion of the buildings over a 20-year period and the seven Popes who lived in these castles for 100 years including two anti-popes. They were considered anti-popes because there was a sitting pope in Rome at the same time. Both were elected by the cardinals.



Sitting in a window in the castle. Outside was a grassy area between the buildings. Inside the buildings was incredibly peaceful.

The artitecture was amazing. This complex was constructed in three parts by three different popes.

We had time for lunch on our own. We got quiche and a mozzarella and tomato sandwich. Intersting that Cokes were 3.50 Euro which was about $5.00 and the quiche and sandwich were 2.80 Euro! This was an outside cafe with a glaces (soft serve ice cream) too!

This is the Theater in Avignon.

This looks like Wil Shakespeare!

There was a carousel in the city square too.

This wall went around the whole city to protect it.

More vineyards!

Our next stop was Ponte du Gard, the aqueduct that was part of a 30-mile water system developed by the Romans 2,500 years ago.

This is a 1,000 year old olive tree on the grounds. There were two others in the same area.

A closer look at the aqueduct that had a 60 foot drop in 30 miles. An amazing engineering feat! The water flowed on the top part and was covered to keep it clean. There was a regular cleaning process for the tunnels to keep the water safe to drink.

It is also a receational area for swimmers and kayakers.

The water so clean and cool. Just beautiful!

This was an interesting decoration of one of the rotaries.

This is an emblem in the sidewalk that notes key areas in the city Aix de Provence in the life of artist Paul Cezanne.

Dinner on our own-rosito and chicken.

The inside of the restaurant.

Our part of group Margaret, Kathy, Jackie, Freddy, and Mary and Dave.