Avignon is a city of around 100,000 people located along the Rhône River near the confluence of the Durance River. Avignon benefits from an architectural and artistic heritage that is exceptional. In the fourteenth century, Avignon became the home for Christianity when Pope Clement V choose to reign from Avignon. Avignon is a popular tourist destination and has a wide variety of vacation rental apartments.
Many of Avignon's most famous gothic sights have a history in this papal period. The Palais des Papes was built over a period of 20 years in the 14 century. The Palais des Papes is mainly the work of two Popes, Benedict XII and Clement VI. This monument is the largest Gothic palace in the world (15,000 m2), and provides visitors with more than twenty rooms for reflection. The monument also offers cultural events throughout the year. The Palais des Papes is classified as world heritage site by UNESCO.
The Pont Saint-Benezet has been a major factor in the history of Avignon. The Pont Saint-Benezet was 1st built in the twelfth century, and then rebuilt many times after floods until the 17th century when it was left in ruins. The bridge is one of Avignon most famous monuments due to its unique history.
Today, Avignon is a crossroads of tourism and culture.
Another city highlight is the Festival d'Avignon which is a theatrical event that hosts over 800 events and 570,000 spectators each year.
In the nineteenth century, the Rhône was the main route for transporting people and goods. Today, Avignon and Lyon are the main ports for river ships. Recently, river tourism, with various boat voyages, has developed in Avignon.
If you are looking to tour the Vaucluse areas of Provence, Avignon is a great home base due to the numerous vacation rentals options in and around the city.
Neighborhoods > South of France
• Provence: Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Marseille, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Arles
• French Riviera: Antibes, Cannes, Grasse, Nice, Saint-Tropez, Vence, Villefranche-sur-Mer
• French Alps
• Montpellier Region: Montpellier
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