What a magical place Avignon is. It is by far one of our most favourite stops on this trip. There is so much to see and do here, it is just fabulous. The Halte Fluviale is situated right in the heart of the town and at 72€ for a week, great value for money due to its location and facilities.
We had a lovely day on Thursday, exploring and taking in the sights. We walked up to the Palais des Papes, a magnificent building set next to Our Lady of the Domes Cathedral and its gardens, where we had a wine tasting in La Bouteillerie. We then had a look around inside the Cathedral where our friend Victor Deveria’s Great Grandfather Eugene painted some of the Left Nave in 1838. After that, it was the Noddy Train Trip around the town taking in more sights and then after a few drinks in Place de l’Horloge, we went back to GG to change and back out again for a bite to eat.
On Friday, we walked along the Pont St. Benezet (the famous bridge) with a guided walkman, singing Sur Le Pont, d’Avignon…….. and then relaxed in the afternoon aboard GG. In the evening, we went to the Palais Royal for a Gastronomique Dinner followed by the Imperial Folies show. The meal was a celebration of Avignon’s best Chefs and it was outstanding. We started with Amouse Bouche of Scallop with a Basil and Mint pesto, washed down with a glass of Champagne. We then had Foie Gras 3 ways (one hot with a creamy foam, one on a toasted brioche and one with some caramelised apple) and this was washed down with a white Condrieu wine. The fish course was Monkfish with Pancetta and Celeriac Mash served with a white Hermitage wine. Mains of Entrecote Beef and Vegetables followed this with a red Hermitage wine, and to top all this off, a Dessert of Hot Chocolate through a straw served with a toffee and star fruit crunch and a chocolate gateaux - amazing. The show was excellent too with singers, dancers, magicians and a Spanish music and dance show at the end.
Saturday was Market day at the indoor market where at 11am there is an invited Chef from one of the top Restaurants cooking dishes for you to watch and taste - we thought we had died and gone to Heaven…….again! He prepared Tuna in a peppered dressing served with wasabi and Chantilly cream. Yummy. It is just as well we have the bikes to keep us fit, as GG would certainly have sunk by now with all this fine eating we are doing!
Avignon Part II to follow next week…………
We had a lovely day on Thursday, exploring and taking in the sights. We walked up to the Palais des Papes, a magnificent building set next to Our Lady of the Domes Cathedral and its gardens, where we had a wine tasting in La Bouteillerie. We then had a look around inside the Cathedral where our friend Victor Deveria’s Great Grandfather Eugene painted some of the Left Nave in 1838. After that, it was the Noddy Train Trip around the town taking in more sights and then after a few drinks in Place de l’Horloge, we went back to GG to change and back out again for a bite to eat.
On Friday, we walked along the Pont St. Benezet (the famous bridge) with a guided walkman, singing Sur Le Pont, d’Avignon…….. and then relaxed in the afternoon aboard GG. In the evening, we went to the Palais Royal for a Gastronomique Dinner followed by the Imperial Folies show. The meal was a celebration of Avignon’s best Chefs and it was outstanding. We started with Amouse Bouche of Scallop with a Basil and Mint pesto, washed down with a glass of Champagne. We then had Foie Gras 3 ways (one hot with a creamy foam, one on a toasted brioche and one with some caramelised apple) and this was washed down with a white Condrieu wine. The fish course was Monkfish with Pancetta and Celeriac Mash served with a white Hermitage wine. Mains of Entrecote Beef and Vegetables followed this with a red Hermitage wine, and to top all this off, a Dessert of Hot Chocolate through a straw served with a toffee and star fruit crunch and a chocolate gateaux - amazing. The show was excellent too with singers, dancers, magicians and a Spanish music and dance show at the end.
Saturday was Market day at the indoor market where at 11am there is an invited Chef from one of the top Restaurants cooking dishes for you to watch and taste - we thought we had died and gone to Heaven…….again! He prepared Tuna in a peppered dressing served with wasabi and Chantilly cream. Yummy. It is just as well we have the bikes to keep us fit, as GG would certainly have sunk by now with all this fine eating we are doing!
Avignon Part II to follow next week…………
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