Avignon
Next, a visit to the medieval walled city of Avignon
on the south bank of the Rhone River.
My days were spent visiting the 14th century
Gothic-style Palais des Papes, browsing bookshops
along Rue des Teinturiers, sampling treats from the
vendors at the covered food market Les Halles, drinking
lattes at one of the many bustling cafe terraces.
Walking along the old winding streets within the
protective walls, I kept an eye open for one of the many
trompe-l’œil (an optical illusion art technique) frescoes
that decorate building facades. For hardcore art lovers,
Avignon has a wide selection of museums and galleries
with renown collections, among them: The Angladon
Museum showcasing world-famous artists including
Cezanne, Picasso, and Vincent Van Gogh; The Calvet
Museum, set in an 18th-century mansion specializing
in French Baroque art; The Petit Palais, devoted to
Italian painting and Avignon art from the Middle
Ages and The Collection Lambert, a contemporary
art museum.
After a full day of sightseeing, I found refuge at
Le Prieuré a charming boutique hotel in Villeneuve-
lez-Avignon. This former 14th-century priory turned
luxury Relais & Chateaux property boasts some 25
rooms and 13 suites, a walled garden with fragrant
wisteria and terraces overlooking a swimming pool.
Their award-winning restaurant serves up
mouthwatering cuisine with regional dishes such
as duck foie gras with Gariguette strawberries and
pot-roasted Costières wood pigeon with fresh sage.
Le Prieuré is a lovely hotel choice for those travelers
who are looking for refined, elegant service in casual
garden setting.
With so many cities to experience, I’m sad to
confess I couldn’t do it all. I learned that a road trip
in the fast lane doesn’t allow for you to stop and smell
the lavender. A successful journey through Provence
means embracing the “French Slow” lifestyle, leaving
time to soak up the charm, culture and ubiquitous
romance that wafts across the countryside.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
OBP
AVIGNON
RIGHT
(from the top)
the Pont Saint-Bénézet
(aka Pont d’Avignon), a UNESCO
world heritage site; European Capital of
Culture in 2000, Avignon offers
numerous possibilities for sightseeing,
activities and events; the Palais des
Papes, a UNESCO world heritage site.
Off The Beaten Path
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WINTER / SPRING 2016
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