Avignon

Avignon is a walled city sitting on a hill on the Rhone river. During Roman rule, it was a fortress. In 1309 it turned into the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) and popes and antipopes continued to live there until the early 15 century.
Today, the main streets are lined with high-end boutiques, boulangeries, and hotels.At the end of the walled city, on a hill over looking the Rhone, two palaces sit. The Petit Palais and the Palais des Papes. I must admit, we were both shocked at the grandeur of the Palais des Papes.We figured that a palace made for popes would be large, but not this massive. We took the self-guided tour in the palace, which was really interesting. It was amazing to walk the halls and steps that popes and possibly kings and queens once walked on. And to stand in dining rooms or courtyards that they once used. I had to wonder how they stayed warm since the palace was drafty enough on a day that reached 22 degrees celsius. And how on earth did they ever walk up or down the narrow staircases without tripping on their robes or gowns?

The ironwork on the fences and gates were really interesting to me. I would definitely think twice before trying to climb over a fence like that!

Brad loved the statues. He was surprised that the Virgin Mary was the highest and gold-ladden while Jesus was on the cross below.
On the top of the hill was a park. Even the walk way up to it was beautiful. Ziz-zagging walkways, flanked by gardens and fountains, all the way to the top where several ponds and gardens sat.And of course, how could we go to Avignon without admiring the Pont d'Avignon (bridge of Avignon)? The bridge was built in the 12 century but has been washed away several times over by the river. Currently, only half of it still stands.