Avignon: Our Gateway to Provence

Situated on the left bank of the Rhône River, Avignon is a historic city in Provence, southern France, renowned for its medieval architecture. In 1309, the papacy relocated from Rome to Avignon, where seven successive popes ruled over the next 68 years. During this period, the magnificent Palais des Papes was built as the papal residence and administrative center. Today, the Palais des Papes is one of Provence's most iconic landmarks and most visited attractions.

medieval kitchen's 18-meter (59-foot) pyramidal hood

The gardens of the Palais des Papes

With its rich history, central location, and excellent rail connections, Avignon was an easy choice for our second stop in southern France. Coming from Montpellier, it was the perfect gateway to Provence and an ideal base for exploring the region's charming villages, historic towns, and scenic countryside.

We visited in early spring, missing Provence’s famous lavender fields, which typically peak from late June through July. Even so, the region had plenty to offer, including a visit to one of the places most closely associated with Vincent van Gogh—a highlight I’ll share in an upcoming post.

It was raining when we arrived at Avignon's train station, so we ducked into Marie Blachère for lunch while we waited it out. The bakery was so good that we returned several times during our four-day stay. Fortunately, our hotel was conveniently located near both the train station and downtown, making it easy to explore Avignon on foot.

Ham and cheese baguette, buttery almond tart and coffee. Yum!

Our cozy stay, steps from the station and bakery

Our walk to town one early morning

Another of Avignon’s most famous landmarks is the Pont Saint-Bénézet, also known as the Pont d’Avignon. Built in the 12th century, the bridge once crossed the Rhône River with 22 arches, but centuries of flooding left only four standing today. Made famous by the French song “Sur le Pont d’Avignon,” it remains a symbol of the city and offers beautiful views of the Rhône and Avignon’s medieval walls.

Pont d'Avignon

Looking at the Palais Des Papes from Pont d'Avignon

We had booked a day trip to Gordes and Roussillon, often described as two of the most beautiful villages in France. A few days before our trip, we received an email saying the tour had been canceled, and our payment was promptly refunded. With the rain we’d been having, we figured the steep, winding roads to those hilltop villages might have been challenging anyway.

We quickly switched to Plan B and booked a high-speed train to Arles, another city on our list. At the station, an earlier train was already delayed by two hours, so rather than risk waiting, we headed to the bus station instead. There was no bus to Arles, but one to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, another town linked to Van Gogh. As luck would have it, it was market day—a perfect unexpected detour.

An hour later, we were swept into the lively heart of the old town, where colorful market stalls spilled into the streets, overflowing with clothing, local crafts, fresh produce, cheeses, olives, spices, and fragrant lavender. It was the perfect place to wander, soaking up the festive atmosphere and authentic Provençal charm.

Asparagus

Artichokes, etc

Our final day in Avignon, France, was spent at a leisurely pace, exploring the city's peaceful canals, strolling alongside its remarkably preserved medieval walls, and soaking in the timeless beauty that makes this historic destination one of the highlights of Provence. From its charming streets to its centuries-old architecture, every corner offered a memorable glimpse into Avignon's rich heritage. It was the perfect way to end our visit before bidding this enchanting city a heartfelt au revoir.

Linking with Monday Murals.

Love at first sip?🍷Not quite. Read the story on my About Me page.

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday, Through My Lens, and Altered Book Lover.

 
Previous Posts:

Backyard Bliss, Even in the Drought

Montpellier: A Sunny Gem in Southern France

Transatlantic cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida to Barcelona, Spain

Tour of Monet's House and Garden in Giverny, France

Backyard Bliss, Even in the Drought

June brought us hardly any rain, yet our Florida backyard continues to thrive. Even during the drought, nature has found a way to flourish. Every day brings the cheerful songs of birds, the graceful flutter of butterflies, and the sweet reward of homegrown treasures.

Zebra Longwing and Monarch butterflies dancing around. 🦋

Zebra Longwing butterflies love this firebush plant

bleeding heart

Bluejay and rabbit

My aunts' four mango trees are absolutely loaded with fruit this year. My own mango tree, on the other hand, had a much smaller harvest, producing just ten mangoes. The tree is the Thai variety Nam Doc Mai, prized for its rich sweetness, smooth texture, and thin pit. Something—most likely squirrels—helped themselves to two of them (sigh!), but we were able to enjoy the remaining eight, and they were incredibly sweet. Moments like these are a reminder that even during a Florida drought, nature still offers delightful surprises.

cherries and strawberries are store bought

The two mangoes on the left are from my tree

Our mango tree has a story of its own. About ten years ago, when we bought our house, my aunt gave us a young mango plant she had started from a pit. It was only about three feet tall at the time, but with a little patience, it has grown into a beautiful tree.

For much of those ten years, we were living aboard our boat, so we rarely had the chance to enjoy its harvest. Now that we've sold the boat and traded our sea legs for gardening gloves, we finally get to savor the fruit of that little seedling.

The mango tree in 2016

Blue skies after the rain—a happy mango tree (2026).

Not many mangoes this year, but every one is a treat.

While we're looking forward to the return of Florida's refreshing summer rains, I'm grateful for the life that continues to fill our backyard. Even in the stifling heat and dry conditions, there's still so much to appreciate—from colorful birds and butterflies to the simple pleasure of picking a perfectly ripe mango straight from the tree.

Just thinking about those sweet, juicy mangoes is making my mouth water!

How's your summer harvest coming along? I'd love to hear what you're growing this season, Stay cool and enjoy the rest of your summer!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Through My Lens.

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Montpellier: A Sunny Gem in Southern France

In mid-April, we embarked on a two-week transatlantic cruise from Port Everglades, Florida, to Barcelona, Spain. Since we'd already explored Barcelona on a previous trip—and hotel prices were especially steep this time—we decided to skip the city and head straight to southern France by bus.

We'd always wanted to visit Provence, so this was the perfect opportunity to explore its charming villages, medieval architecture, and beautiful countryside. Our cruise had ended, but a new adventure was just beginning. 

Our first stop was Montpellier. While it isn't in Provence proper, Montpellier sits just west of the region and makes a convenient gateway to Avignon, our next stop. Before planning this trip, we'd barely heard of Montpellier, but it turned out to be a delightful surprise. A lively university town with a rich history, Montpellier is home to the oldest medical school in France. Who knew?

The medieval-looking medical school

We found the people to be especially friendly. My husband, who studied French from first grade, was a bit rusty after not speaking it for years. As we puzzled over Montpellier's tram routes, a kind local came over and pointed us in the right direction.

Colorful tram

One of Montpellier's top attractions is the Jardin des Plantes, the city's botanical garden. We took the tram there, only to discover it didn't open until noon. While waiting, we wandered around and stumbled upon the University of Montpellier's Faculty of Medicine, housed in a striking medieval-looking building.

Narrow, winding streets led us to Place de la Canourgue, where we stopped for coffee.  

coffee break at a cafe in Place de la Canourgue

From there, we walked to the Arc de Triomphe. A flea market had been in full swing earlier that morning and was just packing up as we arrived.

Arc de Triomphe

Aqueduc Saint-Clément

The aqueduct—an engineering marvel that continues to amaze us.

Promenade du Peyrou

Place de la Comédie, Montpellier's main square, was quiet when we arrived. Since it was Sunday, most shops were closed, though the restaurants were open. Later in the day, the square came alive as a group gathered to dance to lively Latin music.

Place de la Comédie

Les Halles Laissac, a covered market filled with local food vendors, was open, so we stopped in to pick up a few snacks. One surprise was meeting a young woman selling nuts and dried fruit who spoke Chinese!

Chatted with this young lady in Chinese

Outside the market, we took in the area’s distinctive architecture, pausing to admire the striking murals that adorned the surrounding streets.

creative street art mural

We strolled along the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle and enjoyed a crêpe from one of the many vendors along the promenade.

Yummy crepe

Pretty pigeon house.

We ended the day where we started—the garden. One day in Montpellier, especially on a Sunday, barely scratched the surface of this vibrant and captivating city. We'd happily return for a longer stay. Stay tuned—our next stop is Avignon!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday ThroughMyLens and Monday Murals.

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