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 Discover
magestic Avignon - a city of art and culture stretched along
the banks of the Rhone river and particularly famous for its
festival of Theatre, Dance and Music in July; The festival
ON and OFF is a cultural explosion produced within the enchanting
historical monuments and attracts a cosmopolitan crowd. Visit
the Pont St. Bénézet known world-wide and sung
about for generations in «Sur le pont d’Avignon
l’on y danse tous en rond».
Visit the Palais des Papes , the Cathedral Notre Dame des
Doms, the Petit Palais - all of which are an extraordinary
cultural heritage. Stroll in the central garden on the Rocher
des Doms where you have a magnificent view of The Pont d’Avignon,
Villeneuve-les-Avignon with its towers of Philippe le Bel
and St. André, The Dentelles de Montmirail, a jagged
mountain range, and the Mt. Ventoux (1900M), The Ventoux Plateau
and the range called the Alpilles.
A walk around the «Horloge Square» bordered by
the Opera House and the 19C town hall which shelters the 14
- 15C clock tower still with its automatic clock.
Free lunch time in Avignon.
 Onto
Villeneuve-les-Avignon, the city of the cardinals, where you
have the best view of Avignon’s spectacular skyline.
Au pied de la Tour Philippe le Bel, depuis sa terrasse supérieure,
vue panoramique sur Villeneuve et le Fort Saint-André,
le Rhône et le Pont Saint-Bénézet, Avignon
et le Palais des Papes, la Montagnette et les Alpilles et
en toile de fond le «Géant de Provence»le
Mont Ventoux.
Visit of the Fort St. André. Within these walls are
the remains of the benedictine Abbaye St. André built
in the 10C, and its adjoining village. Stroll in the Italian
gardens maintained on the site.
Visit the Chartreuse du Val de Benediction. In 1352 Pope Innocenti
VI founded a charter-house on his residence(livrée)
in commemoration of his papal election. The fathers of the
humble Carthusian Order had refused the papacy and were rewarded
with the founding of the «Chartreuse»- which became
one of the most important in France.
The site now hold seminars and cultural events often linked
to play writing.
 Off
to Chateauneuf de Papes for a visit of the Castelain chocalate
producers and a taste of their specialties.
 Taste
too the most prestigious of all Rhone wines (grand cru) in
one of the oldest vineyards of France, too.
 Finish
our tour at the Velleron farmers’ market - an
explosion of freshness, colours and perfumes of provence.
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