day 27

palais des papes
I had such a wonderful day in Avignon. I was able to visit all the major sights in the town as well as wander around the streets for a bit and window shop.
In the photo, the palace is to the right and the Cathedral of Notre-Dame des Doms with the golden statue of the Virgin Mary is to the left. The Palace definitely felt like a fortress. On the audio tour it mentioned that the Pope kept 150 foot soldiers in the town for his protection. The entire town is surrounded by a giant stone wall as well.


pont saint-benezet (pont d'avignon)
This is the bridge made famous by a song everyone seems to know around here, "Sur le Pont d'Avignon.". The bridge was named after a shepherd who claimed that God spoke to him and told him that he had to build a bridge across the Rhone River. When the people doubted that he had been sent by God, legend has it he was able to pick up a gigantic stone and move it, thereby convincing the people of his task.


musee du petit palais
It's always a good day when you get to see a Boticelli. The Musee du Petit Palais is filled with Italian paintings from the 13th-16th century. The works were extremely beautiful except for a couple which were just a little weird, like this one of Jesus.


guess what i sampled in avignon
I had the best piece of flan that I've had during all my travels in France. It was perfectly creamy and the crust was thin and baked all the way through.