Oct 10 - Avignon

10-10: Our first full day in Avignon, and it was a full and fun day. First, we slept in, which was very nice after a travel day. Before noon we headed out to our Michelin Star lunch, at La Mirande. It is in a hotel of the same name. It is an 18th-century historic mansion and former cardinal's residence located right at the foot of the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes). Lunch at La Mirande in Avignon offers a Michelin-starred gourmet experience featuring modern, creative cuisine with Provençal and Italian influences led by chef Michele Donvito. It certainly was impressive and delicious. We had 6 courses; each consisted of 2-4 dishes each. Yes, of course, these are small in size or one could never eat it all. However, each course is served with a different wine and the lunch took 3 hours! The 4 tastes of the appetizer were not even considered part of the 6 courses. Yes, we were satisfied and enjoyed it very much.

Now we are ready to search out a linen shop. For me, a crucial point of coming to Avignon was to secure tea towels for the kitchen. I could remember the look of the store I went to and a general location, but we walked quite some time to no avail. Stuart even went down extra side streets to look for possible shops. I was getting tired and ready to give up. We were by the merry go round near the center of the city and ready to try one more street. Well, Stuart went to look and then texted me that he found the place! I was thrilled. We shopped and I especially enjoyed looking at all the kitchen linens. We left ecstatic with a new array of tea towels! I need a rest, so we stopped at a café for drink. I must add, it is a lovely day in the 70’s with sunshine. We stayed there for some time. Then we decided to walk back toward a restaurant we passed and have a light dinner before heading back to our apartment. It was a very tasty Italian place and we both had pasta, which we could not finish. It was an Uber back after that.

About taking an Uber. It is much faster to walk around Avignon if you have no mobility issues. The GPS says it is so many minutes to drive and so many minutes to walk. It typically takes 3 times as long to ride than walk! The streets are almost all one-way and very narrow. They twist and turn around the city center like a maze. One really needs a good GPS for walking directions. Our phones have worked just fine. This walled city is one of the most beautiful cities to take a walk and see historic structures. Almost everything is made of stone and beautifully unique.

• Avignon is a historic city in southeastern France located on the left bank of the Rhône River in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, famous as the "City of the Popes" and more.
• City of the Popes: From 1309 to 1377 (and continuing with antipopes later), seven successive popes resided in Avignon rather than Rome, making it the capital of Christendom.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Designated in 1995 for its well-preserved medieval architecture, historic center, and ramparts.
• Pont d'Avignon (Pont Saint-Bénézet): The famous 12th-century bridge over the Rhône River, immortalized in song, with four remaining arches.
• Rocher des Doms: An elevated public park and garden offering panoramic views of the city, the river, and Mont Ventoux.

I’ll end with saying it was an exceptional day. I love Avignon!