September 7 – Exploring Avignon

Avignon also has a tourist train and we caught the first one out at 10:00 (along with a huge tour group).  The train wound its way up to the Rocher des Doms, a parkland on a tall hill that overlooks the Rhone River.  There was a large fortified abbey on the far bank...

and a few other towers.

Then it headed back down the hill where it wove its’ way through the narrow, windy streets of old Avignon past many interesting sights.  

The old section is completely surrounded by intact walls.

We also saw the Pont Saint Benezet (also called the Pont d’Avignon) that spans only half the river…the other half of the bridge collapsed at one point and it was never rebuilt. 

After the train ride we headed up to the Notre Dame des Doms.  It looks extremely imposing from the outside but the inside actually seemed rather small.

Then we decided to retrace some steps and headed to the city walls.  Mary then decided to try some shopping instead and Paul went to the city walls…

and then out onto the Pont. 

There were good views of the river from the pont. 

Another hot day so we spent some time cooling off in the room.  We eventually headed out for lunch and then off for some more sightseeing. 

We eventually found the Rue des Teinturiers, the former street of silk weavers where there are still a number of water wheels along a small canal.  It was a very pretty little street although much quieter than other areas we have been.  Many of the storefronts were closed.

Dinner was back in the L’Horloge Square and then back to the hotel for packing. 

We have loved this area of France but it is much too hot and humid…next visit will need to be farther removed from summer.