After an early train from Paris to Avignon, we arrived around 10AM. Our host, Marie, was a really nice French lady. My guess is she was about 50 something. She was renting one of apartments that was centrally located. It was around 10-15 minutes from the main square. We were picked up by her at the station. She gave us a ride to the apartment and kindly drove us around Avignon. She spoke very little English and we spoke even less French. Lots of gestures, smiles, nods, and awkward laughs in the car ride.
The apartment was so spacious. The toilet was separate from the bathroom. Funny. We couldn't find the toilet. We opened every single door until finally we found it. The door looked like a closet door. We all had our own bedroom, which was nice. The place was clean and had plenty of windows. It had a formal dining room.
We had lunch at a restaurant that Marie recommended. I had salmon with eggplant and pesto sauce. It was good but needed some salt. So far I haven't been so impressed with French food. I don't know if it's because we ate in touristy areas, not the local favorites. But when you sight see and have a packed schedule, you eat at places that are close by.
After lunch, we went to the visitor center, they had a tourist information that you can book different tours from. We were looking at the wine tasting tour. The day was perfect, sunny and a bit windy. Not a single drop of rain. We've been blessed with nice weather in this trip so far.
After lunch, we got picked up by the tour company at the tourist information office. We were shortly joined by two other couples. One was from the US. They lived in St. Louis. Both were in medical supply sales. The girl was nice and very friendly, but I got a little bit irritated by the end of the trip by her super cheerful comments during the whole wine tour... just sounded a bit fake. Before we headed out to the vineyard, we passed the Avignon Bridge again, and they gave us another photo op.
 |
| Avignon Bridge |
 |
| Palais des Papes |
After driving over an hour, we were in Gigondas. Most of the wine produced here was mixed, not 100% Gigondas.
 |
| An old castle that didn't survive WWII |
 |
| Châteauneuf du Pape |
We passed Châteauneuf du Pape, which was a village between Rhones and Avignon. A ruined medieval castle (see the previous photo) sits at the top of the village and dominates
the landscape to the south. It was built in the 14th century for Pope John XXII, the second of the popes who resided in Avignon. The commune is famous for the production of red wine and almost all the cultivable land is planted with grapevines.
We visited 3 wine shops and tasted local white, rose and red wine.
The next morning we went to the farmers market that is indoor. Lots of produce, bread, sausages, cheese and local specialties.
 |
| Olives, tapenade, hummus, artichoke dip, sun dried tomatoes, lots of local goodness |
 |
| Local pastries and meringue |
 |
| Yummy spinach pine nut quiche |
 |
Playing a board game at the park with the locals
The wall, constructed in the 13th century. It's a bit over 4KM all around.
After the market, we went to Palais de Papes, Pope's Palace. With contruction starting in 1300's, the palace was mainly the work of two popes, Benedict XII and his successor, Clement VI. The palace was like a castle with offices. This was where they printed money, performed administrative work from accounting to city planning.
Palais de Papes
From the court yard
From the inside
From the roof top of the Palais
After touring the palace, we joined another half day tour in the Provence region. The area is called Luberon. There would be some little villages that we visited. I also found out that we missed the lavender season, it ends in August. I would love to see fields of blooming lavender. They are so beautiful.
The villages in this area were very protected. They were so many rules that they had to follow such as the color of natural stones, no satellite dishes visible from the street, no electric poles etc. Basically they want to protect the authenticity of the area to make it as original as they were hundred years ago when they were founded. We saw some small B&B, mom & pop shops and restaurants, but no commercial businesses.
Rosemary plant on the side of the street.
We went to Roussillon, a village that is famous for its red stones and buildings.
We had homemade gelatto. The left one is mine, Rum and Raisins. The right one is Lavender ice cream. I tasted it a little bit. It's weird, like eating candied potpourri.
I love the views here. They're so stunning. I'm so glad I decided to go here.
This is Gordes, one of the biggest and well known villages in Luberon valley.
After the tour, we went back to Avignon and had dinner closed to the Pope's palace. I had cod and quinoa. It was good, but not great.
The next day was our last day in Avignon. Our train was in the mid afternoon. We spent the morning in Avignon Bridge.
It was cheesy but I love olive trees. For me, they're one of the most beautiful trees I've seen seen. I love the different shades of green leaves, small dark purple and almost black olives, the barks are skinny and elegant. This was the first time I saw olive trees.
We left Provence with a lot of good memories, then headed out to Nice, our last destination in France.
|
