After a restful night at Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis in Avignon, France and a hefty European style buffet breakfast with lots of espresso, we were up and at ’em to meet with our fabulous tour guide to take us around the city and explain exactly what we were looking at. This was the end of the South of France press trip so we were getting weary and myself, a bit weak from not having downtime to rest my still healing body. But I instantly liked Manu and a little French birdie told me sometimes he sings for his guests and I enthusiastically asked him if he was going to… which he did not commit to straight away but did eventually for us (watch the video below) – and the hundreds of other tourists going through the palace. Long story short, book Manu the Guide for all the fun facts, Latin singing and exclusive behind the scenes you can’t get with a regular ticket to explore the Popes Palace. We met in the lobby of the hotel and then began walking around the city, inside the walls and my brain hopefully absorbed most of what he was saying but my eyes and self would drift off towards stunning photographs waiting to be taken!
The Palais des Papes is the largest Gothic palace in the world. It is a massive fortress-like castle with 160,000 square feet of floor space is equivalent to four Gothic cathedrals, making it the biggest building of the Middle Ages in Europe. Known for its tall towers like the Trouillas Tower, endless hallways, and impressive frescoes, it is an impressive array of religious wealth. This Gothic structure housed popes like Benedict XII and Clement VI. It served as the seat of the Catholic Church in the 14th century, symbolizing papal power and is a UNESCO World Heritage site now. Over 25 rooms or chambers if you will exist inside, including the Pope’s private apartments, chapels, and the Great Chapel. Frescoed walls abound, featuring paintings made by applying pigments to wet lime plaster, with beautiful decorations by artists like Matteo Giovannetti.
The biggest Gothic Palace in the world means Popes Palace is equal to four Gothic cathedrals or about 53,820 square feet or 5,000 square meters in French measurements. More than 20 rooms are open to visitors including the Papal “apartments” which are grand master suites with their priceless frescoes painted by the Italian artist Matteo Giovannetti. Part of UNESCO World Heritage reminds visitors of the Catholic church’s strength, wealth and symbolic views over the Western Christian world in the 14th century. A majority of the city of Avignon, France and the whole country remain devout Catholics as the monarchy had such close ties to the Roman papacy that France was called the “eldest daughter of the Church”. Before Christianity took over Europe, the Gallic people of France practiced faiths descended from Indo-European traditions, a Celtic religion recognized a polytheistic pantheon, the collection of all the gods and goddesses within a polytheistic belief system, where multiple deities are worshipped. You will see many Goddesses and Gods, old and new, in all the museums around the city and it’s quite a hodgepodge of learning how religion shapes the world.
We began our walk around Avignon, France with me taking photos of most everything. This is the office of tourism where you can buy tickets and learn where to explore unlike in America where it’s just a corporate office.Losing my architecture mind straight away in Avignon, France. Just stunning!Look at that detail in Avignon, France.I made it a mental note to visit this later as all museums are free in Avignon, France. You will see Othoniel artwork is a theme throughout the whole city.The one and only Manu who was quick witted, entertaining and full of fun facts in Avignon, France. A lot of Jesuites, or the Society of Jesus, existed in Europe. It is what it sounds like, a mens club for Jesus.Look up to see the paintings on the faux windows in Avignon, France.My eyes were huge hearts and stars everywhere I turned in Avignon, France.Even the gates were so picturesque in Avignon, France. Another museum that is free and open to the public when open!What a building though in Avignon, France.I think if more American libraries looked like this, perhaps more reading would get done?We vowed to return when it opened in Avignon, France.More places that are free to explore in Avignon, France. Other countries prioritize education for their citizens unlike America.Time to test your French lessons out in Avignon, France. Or you can Google translate but that’s kind of like cheating.A street scene on an early morning in Avignon, France.This cafe became my marker many times in Avignon, France. We were so early no one was out yet minus one man!In Avignon, France especially on weekends, it is dead in the morning with signs of life coming out later in the morning.A beautiful church in Avignon, France.Maria better known as Mary looking over us everywhere in Avignon, France. You find her often!A warm and inviting store in Avignon, France.Even when they fix the streets, they replace the cobblestone back in Avignon, France.There she was again watching us with baby Jesus in Avignon, France.Don’t forget to look up in Avignon, France!Honestly, photos do not do Avignon, France justice!An empty morning street in Avignon, France. You know it’s a city by the graffiti and a slight edge of gritty undercurrent. Nothing like Philadelphia but it’s there.Just snapping away in Avignon, France. If all the windows opened at once, it would be like a Disney movie.I’m not even sure what I was shooting just eye candy everywhere in Avignon, France.Imagine getting wine tipsy and strolling these streets in Avignon, France.With the group we felt safe as can be in Avignon, France. Flying solo, I was more alert and aware as a woman.Winding small streets is the telltale sign of Avignon, France. The trucks are usually smaller.Looking up again in Avignon, France.I think I was winding street obsessed in Avignon, France. And yes, French lingerie is next level!One lone store that was open in Avignon, France. Here you can see the poles that block the streets from drivers unless you have a pass.The streets closest to the former Hotel de Ville were full of restaurants in Avignon, France. If the menu is small and only in French, it’s authentic.Not a hotel anymore but a historical place, we were all in love with this building in Avignon, France. Oh la la!On the street across from it, griffons with keys mark the street in Avignon, France.Calling myself Cassie be Snappin’ in Avignon, France. Imagine going to that theater all dressed up!Eventually our walkabout took us closer to our almost final destination in Avignon, France.My first glimpse of the Popes Palace in Avignon, France. I honestly was so in awe my eyes couldn’t believe themselves.All the way to left of the Popes Palace in Avignon, France.Even further to the left at Popes Palace in Avignon, France.Across the street in Avignon, France, they take great care of their historical buildings.Across from the entrance, the restaurants with the best views in Avignon, France.The full photo of the Popes Palace in Avignon, France from the tourism board. I only packed one Nikon lense! It looks warmer with the sun on it obviously.Losing my mind at this point looking up at Popes Palace entrance in Avignon, France.The cost of entry is under $20 Euros to Popes Palace in Avignon, France, depending on how much you want to explore. Again the featured artist on display is advertised at the door.Look up when you enter the Popes Palace.Dreaming of this ceiling in my bedroom at the Popes Palace.It was a dark era of time during the Popes Palace reign.A priceless painting no doubt in the Popes Palace.Inside the courtyard where they still have concerts to this day at the Popes Palace.More of the artists artwork on display at Popes Palace.Looking back into the archway at Popes Palace.A better view of this amazing space at Popes Palace.Not even sure what this is but it is so very old at the Popes Palace.A layout of the Popes Palace.A small model layout of the Popes Palace.A great room for learning at the Popes Palace.Peeking inside this room at Popes Palace, see the video at the top of this post to peek fully inside.Some artwork on the walls at the Popes Palace.Amazing use of light and space at Popes Palace.One of the gargoyles which ward off demons at the Popes Palace.He lost some of his nose but still effective I’m sure at Popes Palace.Into the courtyard garden we go at Popes Palace. You have the option of staying on the balcony or walking down the steps.Everything is so rectangular at the Popes Palace garden.Down the steps we go – and back up again – at Popes Palace. I clocked 16,000 steps in one day – and felt it!The outside of Popes Palace from the garden.And where we walked down from with the spiral staircase at Popes Palace.More of the artwork in the garden fountain at Popes Palace.This piece almost had a jester feel to it at Popes Palace.Full details about the gardens at Popes Palace. They also switch it up every season with a different artist.Looking back towards Popes Palace with the gardens. Imagine living here!To the second floor we went next at Popes Palace.We soon ran into a room where each sculpture represents your zodiac at the Popes Palace.This is my Virgo sculpture which looks complicated and tracks at the Popes Palace.Soon we were entering chambers at the Popes Palace.Even the floor was amazing at the Popes Palace.Loving the use of fireplace space for the art at the Popes Palace.More unique art painted on the walls at Popes Palace.Every inch accounted for smartly at the Popes Palace.Even the ceiling was amazing at Popes Palace.Scenes you normally aren’t allowed to capture at Popes Palace.Mainly no flash as it erodes the art at Popes Palace.I think this is where everyone in another group started taking photos even though it said no photos at Popes Palace. As a guest of the tourism board, I was allowed however I tried to do it discreetly as it created chaos among the tourists.This was probably my favorite room at Popes Palace with the art shining in the light.A carving that lasted the test of time at Popes Palace.Looking back up the steps at the Popes Palace.Imagine being immortalized here at the Popes Palace.The sheer amount of wealth was overwhelming at the Popes Palace.We then entered one of the most stunning rooms at the Popes Palace.
Now enjoy Manu singing in Latin at The Palace of the Popes! If you are lucky enough to book him for a tour guide, he just may sing for you too if you’re nice… and the hundreds of curious visitors standing right behind you. You can certainly maneuver the way through this space yourself however tour guides like Manu get the scoop and access to otherwise unavailable places. Also please be respectful when they tell you no photographs. Our eyes were in awe the whole time and ears too thanks to Manu!
I don’t know what artist is next up at Popes Palace but this will be hard to beat!Perfection in placement and accent colors at Popes Palace.A peak back in another room at the Popes Palace.Soon we were making our way out of the Popes Palace.Walking down many, many stairs at the Popes Palace. Notice all the gargoyles!I didn’t want to leave, obviously at the Popes Palace.So many photoshoot ideas here at the Popes Palace.I mean look at those archways at Popes Palace!And windows with moody light at the Popes Palace.One last dreamy photo before we left Popes Palace to go explore Avignon some more.Back to walk the streets of Avignon, France which were also dreamy.I think next trip to Europe, I will do a feature on door knockers in Avignon, France.But there was more Gothic beauty to see in Avignon, France.Even just this street is a vibe in Avignon, France.A perfect fall photo in Avignon, France.I love the small streets in Avignon, France.And we popped out into another section full of folks this time in Avignon, France.We were going into the building covered in green in Avignon, France called Les Halles.Les Halles d’Avignon is a indoor French market with a vertical garden, cafes & stalls selling local produce, meats & cheeses in Avignon, France.Fresh produce and fruit abounds in Avignon, France. Like most European nations, GMOs are not allowed.I must have eaten at least 50 chocolate croissants by the end of this trip!I mean chocolate everywhere is my dream come true in Avignon, France.What I should have been eating more of in Avignon, France.What I ended up eating more of in Avignon, France -cheese!Also want to eat more of this bread now in Avignon, France.I made a mental note it was open our last day in town as well in Avignon, France.Not food but looks delicious it’s sea salts for your bath in Avignon, France. This was Halloween thus the spiders and skulls by the way!And this flyer caught my eye in Avignon, France. I’m not sure who he is but I want to go!We popped back out onto the streets with a plan to visit the library in Avignon, France.More gorgeous antique doors in Avignon, France. Maybe a photo study on them as well?Inside the library that we zoomed past earlier that morning in Avignon, France.Notice the same style windows from Popes Palace in Avignon, France.Like a library should look in Avignon, France. Also very quiet and peaceful!On our walk out from the library in Avignon, France. The French love reading and literature!Some architectural gems walking out of the library in Avignon, France.
I was losing followers by posting about France on my Instagram but shared some more pics if you want to see there posing in my funky, layered outfit with my new French jacket Fuzzy because I didn’t pack properly for fall in Avignon, France. The Palace of the Popes was absolutely breathtaking and at points you cannot believe your own eyes. The following day the press trip was officially over so I slept in, had a lazy breakfast and then took a one hour walk to get my blood flowing and went back to the Musée Lapidaire! Known in English as The Lapidary Museum is a lapidarium-museum in Avignon, France. It has housed the classical Greek, Etruscan, Roman and Gallo-Roman sculptures and objects of the Calvet Museum since the 1980s. I’m glad I did and happy to share!
Stepping inside the Musée Lapidaire was amazing.By now, you recognize this artist surely at the Musée Lapidaire.In case you want to learn more about our favorite French artist at Musée Lapidaire.Forever a lover of strange sculptures at the Musée Lapidaire.And a headless Roman at the Musée Lapidaire.Even some Egyptian art was found at Musée Lapidaire.The colors really made the artifacts pop at Musée Lapidaire.It boggles my mind that this is just sitting out in the open at Musée Lapidaire.Stuffed birds anyone at Musée Lapidaire?Of course some beautiful stone women at Musée Lapidaire.A better view of the art at Musée Lapidaire.You can look and photograph but don’t touch at Musée Lapidaire.On my way out of Musée Lapidaire.And always look up at Musée Lapidaire.Then just walking up and down the street in Avignon, France.A close up in Avignon, France.Yes there are homeless in Avignon, France but they are not aggressive and usually mentally stable as health care is included as part of your taxes in France.A small city bus is available in Avignon, France for residents.Would any city be complete without a tin man in Avignon, France?Always ask for permission for personal photos in Avignon, France. This man was deep in concentration.The hands of a metal worker crafting jewelry in Avignon, France.Some of his creations in Avignon, France.A painter admiring her setup and making sure it was perfect in Avignon, France.This sign came in handy in Avignon, France. I waved at the tin man, he waved back!I wanted to wander but was starting to lose steam in Avignon, France as my body realized we were not on a tight schedule anymore.Down a couple of alleyways I went in Avignon, France.I was greeted by another Maria in Avignon, France. I’m pretty sure she told me to go back and rest!The last photo I took of Avignon, France was this fountain from many times ago. Soon it was time to meet with our driver Sophie and finish my South of France trip by going to a Hilton at the Marseilles airport which was a decent experience… see my review on Google! We did a small detour which you can enjoy below.
Au revoir South of France! Until we meet again… driving into the countryside in Provence and past the mountains where Vincent van Gogh placed himself as a voluntary patient in the psych ward Saint-Paul Asylum, Saint-Rémy. He produced many famous paintings, including The Starry Night and Irises, at this location and the insane asylum still exists to this day as part museum, part ward which was wild to see. The town is also quite a gem of a place to experience as is The Monastery of Saint Paul de Mausole is a former Roman Catholic 11th-century Benedictine monastery in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Provence, France.
