Avignon and Arles

Today was spent in two great ancient towns, Avignon and Arles.

Palace of the Popes (Palais des Papes). This Palace was built during the Pontificates of three popes and took about 30 years to complete. The entire complex is actually made up of two buildings: the Old Palace, built between 1334 and 1342, and the New Palace, built between 1342 and 1352.



Palais des Papes

 

Across from the Palace on the Place du Palais was another impressive building, the 17th century Hotel de Monnaies (the old mint), with a facade of griffons, cherubs, eagles and swathes of fruit.

 



Hotel de Monnaies

 

Time for some lunch!  Of course I had to have some French Onion Soup!

Along with a wonderful chicken Ceasar salad

 



We had plenty of time for a little shopping and I found my mom some French soap in this great shop!

 



After sightseeing in Avignon Insight Vacations drove us to Arles, the town where Van Gogh lived for a time and you can visit the Van Gogh Gallery.

 

I enjoyed walking this cobbled streets and watching children play and people walking

 



Kids dancing in the street

After a full day of sightseeing, I treated myself to some hotel, first class room service.  Yes they do have cheeseburgers that are very good in France!