For most of the 14th century, this medieval walled city of Avignon became a haven for nine popes who sequestered themselves here away from the feuding and rival popes of Rome.
According to Petrarch, every vice flourished in this overcrowded, plague-infested town which became “a sewer where all the filth of the universe has gathered.” Wealth and intrigue were rampant.
My favorite part of being here was to actually see the bridge made famous in a French song I learned as a child,”Sur le pont d’Avignon l’on y danse,…”(On the Avignon bridge everyone dances there…) I even picked up a small music box playing the tune.
Before we arrived at Arles, Nick, our guide, presented a slide show/introduction about Van Gogh’s stomping ground. Famous scenes are conveniently marked at the sites with a small painting.
When I was here in 1981 with Laurel Branam on our 6 week European tour, I climbed to the top of the 20,000 seat Arenes built by Romans in the 1st century A.D. which has been refurbished and still used today for bull fights.
