Our morning was devoted to sightseeing in Avignon. We first saw the Pope’s Palace, which is unbelievably huge and imposing. You get an audioguide with your pass in, and there is enough information of that audioguide to keep you inside the palace for weeks. Many people’s PHD work has resulted in me still not being that interested. But the place was incredibly impressive and fun to explore.
From the top turret on a tower, we had a beautiful view of Avignon, and Matt pretended to shoot arrows through the archer’s holes.
After the palace, we made out way over to the Pont d Avignon, which there is a famous French song about. Little French girls sang the song as we walked along the bridge.
Then we walked up along the ramparts to the garden at the top, which was quite unusual and absolutely beautiful. There were vineyards turning red and gold, hidden misty caves, and lagoons with swans and ducks. We took a nice stroll and warmed up as the sun emerged for the day.
We walked through most of the walled city, window-shopped and ate lunch. Then we headed out to the Pont du Gard, about a 30-minute drive. The Pont du Gard is a huge Roman aqueduct and bridge in remarkable condition. Apparently, it is the second tallest standing roman ruin, after the coliseum in Rome. It is breathtakingly large.
Ancient olive trees line the paths, and beautiful villas overlook the river.
We climbed up, on, and around the bridge.
Many people come to walk or bike and it set in a beautiful location. The Romans sure could build things. We stopped in the very well done museum briefly before having to hop back in the car and return to Lyon. We returned the car, checked in to our very nice hotel by the airport, and tried not to be sad, as Matt has to leave in the morning. However, he met my friends, saw my town, shopped in the markets, saw a few random French sites, and ate many pastries.
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