Playing in Avignon...

There is so much to do here, one of the many reasons we chose Avignon. Today, we stayed close to home, exploring all-new-to-us sites. This post will be less wordy. I hope you enjoy the photographic journey of our amazing day!

We began our fun day at the Musée du Petit Palais, a museum and art gallery with an exceptional collection of "primitives" and early Renaissance paintings from Italy.

The Petit Palais was built in the early 14th century as the residence of the bishops of Avignon. Named Petit Palais to distinguish it from the Palais des Papes, the original structure was built during the period of the Avignon Papacy by Cardinal Berengar Fredol the Elder in around 1318–20.

Currently there is a massive restoration program happening and the displays showcase the painstakingly detailed work that was needed when the palace was originally decorated and now to bring it back to its grandeur.

Interestingly, we learned that the rabbit's back leg was used to spread the gold leaf and "clean" it once applied to the mordant due to its incredible softness. So when you look at all these images, think of all those rabbits who I hope became delicious Lapin a La Cocotte.

Lunch was to be found at Rocher des Doms Park. "This English-style garden, installed on the rock which overlooks the Palais des Papes, is located 90 feet above the Rhône and offers a magnificent panoramic view of the old town, the monuments, and the landscapes of the Rhône plain as far as Mont Ventoux."

In the 19th century, what was an arid grazing area, was transformed into a real park complete with trees and lawns from the old Jardin des Plantes were planted, water tanks were installed, and a pond was created. Numerous statues famous people adorn the route. Currently, and to great delight, photographs of previous Festival d'Avignon festivities are scattered throughout. I love the vintageness of the images.

This is the coolest dragonfly I have ever seen. Wow, right?

"A true haven of freshness with its lake where ducks and swans splash, and its century-old trees, it is an essential place for walks and relaxation, much appreciated by locals and visitors."

We have discovered a place we plan to return to often.

Annie and I popped into the cathedral with promises made to return.

From the website, "Built in the 12th century then remodeled in the 15th and 17th centuries, the Metropolitan Basilica Notre Dame des Doms dominates, next to the Palais des Papes, the Rhône valley from the Rocher des Doms."

"With Provencal Romanesque style, the cathedral was elevated to the rank of Metropolis in 1475 when the bishopric of Avignon was promoted to an archbishopric. The Metropolis was consecrated a Minor Basilica in 1854 and the statue of the Protective Virgin of Avignon was placed at its summit in 1859, at a time when Marian worship was very popular. It is made of gilded lead and weighs 4½ tons, it was re-gilded for the Great Jubilee in 2000."

Kind of a cool fact, "The Metropolis keeps in its sacristy a chasuble cut from the fabric of the last outfit worn by Queen Marie-Antoinette before her execution in 1793."

Its bell tower has a large carillon of 35 bells, making it the 3rd most extensive ringing in France after those of Strasbourg and Notre-Dame de Verdun Cathedrals.

I found this statue of Saint Bénezet quite interesting. Do you see he is holding a brick? There exists a legend of the bridge which bears his name (Pont d'Avignon). "A young shepherd, named Bénézet, came down from the mountains in 1177. He said he was sent by God to build a bridge in Avignon." The rest is truly history.

Our final history lesson of the day took place here. According to the translation of the Histoire de la Cité plaque, "The Notre-Dame-de-Lorette congregation, founded in 1577, aimed to relieve the poor. This building, Mont-de-Piété, was erected as a pawnshop in 1610. It would loan money with collateral... it was the first establishment of this type in France. With continued success, it gained new momentum after the Revolution came to a halt thanks to the talents of the administrators who had the idea of associating it with a Silk Condition factory, intended to provide subsidies. The main building continued until 1877 and was decorated with two beautiful facades at each end."

Since everything was in French, we could only do our best to understand what the museum had to share. The Condition des soies, created in 1801, was a factory hiring workings to condition or dry silk, for the market. The items on display were quite interesting giving a glimpse of what the process was like.