AVIGNON - SAINT REMY DE PROVENCE - LES BAUX DE PROVENCE
This tour gives you the opportunity to plunge into Provence history : from the roman epoca to the medieval times.
Visit of Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The city, as a strategic site in the Rhone valley, owes its origine to the Doms rock. With the arrival of the popes in the 14th Century, the city became a second Rome. It was enriched by art in the 17th and 18th Centuries, and it remained papal property up to the French revolution. Its medieval walls cover nearly 3 miles and are punctuated by 39 towers and seven gates ! Within the walls thrives a culturally rich city. The streets and squares are often filled with buskers.
The major site of the city is the huge pope's palace, the biggest gothic palace in the world. Just beeing at the foot of the impressive building will let you an unforgettable souvenir. It gives an idea of the grand life under the seven French popes who built a miniature Vatican during their rule here. You can visit 25 rooms of it, including the ceremonial rooms, chapels, cloister, private papal apartments with priceless frescoes, and others. (entrance not included)
The second point of interest is the St Bénezet bridge. This legendary bridge is a significant symbol of the history of Avignon, famous throughout the world due to the beloved children's song. The bridge was built in the late 1100's. Though it was often rebuilt after damage inflicted by the raging flood waters of the Rhone. (entrance not included)
Free time for lunch
Saint Rémy de Provence : This little town located at the bottom of the Alpilles chain and at the edges of the prosperous agricultural region of Chateaurenard is a very pleasant place to stop. Its streets display charming 16th and 17th century mansions.
One of its interesting site is the Clinique Saint Paul where stood the painter Van Gogh, in may 1889 after he had mutilated his ear. We still can recognise places around that he represented in his paintings. (entrance to the clinic not included)
The other point of visit is a fabulous testimony of the roman epoca. A triumphal arch and a mausoleum still stand proudly at the entrance of the former greco-roman town. These two masterpieces are considered as one of the roman buildings best preserved.
Les Baux de Provence : «No one passes through Les Baux without a sense of true nostalgia, for here, more than anywhere else, the labours of time show what becomes of the most ambitious undertakings: ruined walls and breaches onto the void. The stones of man’s proud constructions devoured by the sun and wind. Only traces remain of their ambition, fears and solitude»
(T.Fréchier)The village is situated in a wonderful and very picturesque site, in the heart of the Alpilles, perched on a rocky spur 245m high.
Entering in the village is a real experience because, despite the great number of visitors, it seems that the atmosphere is the same than 4 centuries ago. Its cultural heritage is exceptionally rich, with 22 architectural treasures classified as "Historic Monuments" (including the church, chateau, town-hall, hospital, chapels, houses, doorways... Also from the look-out points you will have a brilliant view of the Camargue and the Alpilles.
Overlooking the village, stands the ruined fortress than can be visited (entrance not included)Between the sites, your driver-guide will explain you many things about the history, the tradition, the natural environment...
You will be able to stop as much as you want to take pictures, or just to breath the fabulous scents of the provençal plants...