3. Avignon is situated in the heart of Provence, in the
South of France, which is one of the country’s most
beautiful regions. Apart from its loveliness, the town is
also steeped in history, primarily being famed as the
city to which a succession of Popes had relocated in
the 14th century to avoid the corruption of Rome
and, immediately afterwards, as part of the Western
Schism, it became the seat of those that are now
known as the antipopes. Its interesting architecture
includes the renowned ‘Palais des Papes’, which is
the world’s largest Gothic construction. There is not
much left of its interior now, but it is still interesting
enough to draw in tourists.
There is plenty more to see in the town; museums of
old and modern art, flea markets, street performers,
the century old Cinéma Utopia, complete with XVII
century paintings, and, of course, that bridge. There
is also a relaxing alternative to all the sightseeing that
lies just across the river.
4. The location to which I refer is Barthelasse island (Ile
de la Barthelasse), which lays between two river arms
in the middle of the Rhone, facing the city walls.
When the aforementioned popes and antipopes
needed a place to meditate and relax they would
make their way to the island and now, centuries
later, the Ile de la Barthelasse is resplendent with
cherry, apple and pear orchards, vegetable gardens
and vineyards, making up a total area of
approximately three square miles.
You have the choice of taking the ferry (la navette),
which is free of charge, across to the island from Pont
St Bénezet, walking, or hiring a velo-pop bike and
following the laid out cycle paths across the bridge.
If you are there in the summer months, you can also
explore the island by horse. It is advisable to pre-
book this, which you can do at the Centre Equestre
d'Avignon (+33(0)4-90-85-83-48, cheval-
avignon.com.
5. The island is an oasis of peace and, once there, you
can really relax, enjoy a meal or picnic, walk along
the riverbanks and enjoy the amazing views of the
city.
