Travel and leisure
Features
48 hours in Avignon
It may be just a short hop on the Eurostar, but a visit to Avignon is like stepping back in time. Nicola Iseard goes exploring
Morning stroll...
Ringed by over four kilometres of superbly preserved stone ramparts, Avignon has a glorious 14th century feel to it. To really soak up the colour of the city you have to set out on foot. Start in the north, at the fabled Pont d'Avignon, with its medieval ruined arches that span the Rhône. From here, wind your way southwards, through the Rocher des Doms, elaborate hillside gardens with splashing fountains, classical statuary, a quaint rock grotto and pond with gliding swans. Continuing south, you'll pass the Notre-Dame-des-Doms cathedral and the famous Palais des Papes, a stunning fortess-like palace, until you reach Place de L'Horloge, the bustling central square.
Café for refreshment...
Place de L'Horloge is brimming with lots of pleasant cafés, which spill out onto the pavement - perfect for a spot of people watching. Head a few streets north and you'll find L'Echappée Belle. Named after the Nicolas Bouvier novel of the same name - which aptly translates as 'the beautiful escape' - it is a stylish but relaxed restaurant/tearoom in the heart of Avignon's artistic hub. It makes for a lovely mid-morning pitstop, where you can refuel on some tasty homemade pastries.
Spot of culture...
Considering it is the largest gothic palace in the world, it's not surprising that the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) is the city's most celebrated sight. Outside it is surrounded by extensive grounds, while inside it boasts incredible cavernous stone halls. An audioguide will lead you around 24 of them, including the Grand Chapelle (Grand Chapel) where temporary exhibitions are held. The Musée Lapidaire and the Musée Calvet - the two main museums in Avignon - are worth a visit too. While the former has a collection of mosaics from the Stone Age, the latter museum, housed in an 18th century Palladian-style building, has a rich collection of antiquities, including Roman finds.
Afternoon excursion...
Just half an hour north of Avignon is Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a delightful medieval village on the side of a hill, guarded by the ruins of an ancient chateau towering above. From the chateau hill there are sweeping views in all directions, mostly of vineyards. Indeed, the village is famous for producing wine and splashed around town are more than two dozen wine shops offering free wine tasting. Pop into the Musée du Vin, which has a collection of old tools and extensive information about the area's wine making process.
Supper time...
When it comes to caring about its food and caring about its customers, La Fourchette knows no boundaries. Run by the same family for generations, this classical French bistro, to the west of Place de L'Horloge, serves up wonderful Provencal cuisine. Try the ravioli filled with haddock to start, followed by the monkfish stew, with the sinful meringue ice cream with praline for pudding. C'est magnifique!
More French destinations
- Nice and Monaco
- 48 hours in Paris
- Summer days in Paris
- 48 hours in Lille
- Eurostar: the re-birth of St Pancras
Saga Holidays offers the following opportunities to visit Avignon
Contrast four distinct regions in the south of France on this all-encompassing tour, which takes you from west to east, through Bordeaux, the Dordogne, Provence and the Cote d'Azur. Call free on 0800 096 0074 for more information.
A typical French hotel with lots of character in Vals-les-Bains, a graceful town sitting in the beautiful Ardèche between the Alps and the Rhône Valley. Call free on 0800 096 0074 for more information.
Flavours of Burgundy and Provence
This river cruise journeys south along the peaceful Saône and scenic Rhône, with both rivers flowing through some of the country’s most characteristic scenery. Call free on 0800 096 0082 for more information.
