Avignon looks different from a rooftop, where the layout of the real city becomes a giant game board. The ball rolls across actual streets, banking off building facades to reach landmarks like the Palais des Papes. This full round of 18 holes covers 11 km, using 6 portals to bridge the gaps between attractions. Skip knows every nook of these alleys and is the local guide for the walk.
The Palais des Papes is a palace and art museum in Avignon. Built in the Gothic architecture style, this classified historical monument was a seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century. You can pick out the influence of its architects, Pierre Poisson, Jean de Louvres, and Bertran Nogayrol, who helped shape the massive structure. It remains a popular destination today, drawing 616,210 annual visitors who come to see the halls where history was made. I've noticed it is a great spot for people-watching from the air, provided you don't get too distracted by the tourists below.
Let me show you the Hôtel de Montaigu, which is a private mansion located here in Avignon. This site is a classified historical monument, making it a significant piece of the city's architectural heritage for any visitor to notice. You can pick out the specific design choices made by François de Royers de La Valfenière, who is the architect of the mansion. I find the scale of these private residences always impressive when you're navigating the streets below, especially when you see how they fit into the surrounding neighborhood.
Let me show you the Palais du Roure, which you can find in Avignon, France. This museum is housed within a listed hôtel particulier, making it a standout architectural piece in the city. It is also recognized as a classified historical monument. I have found that the building's status as a private townhouse turned public space gives it a unique feel compared to the larger monuments nearby. Whether you are here for the art or the architecture, it is a spot that shows off the refined side of the local heritage.
Jean de Tensanges was the architect of the Pont Saint-Bénezet. He designed this stone arch bridge, which began in 1177 as a medieval crossing over the Rhône in the town of Avignon, southern France. Today, only four arches of the structure survive, though it remains a classified historical monument and a World Heritage Site. I've noticed the water below is always moving quite a bit, which explains why the bridge doesn't reach the other side anymore. It is a fascinating spot to stop and look at the masonry before you move on to the next part of the city.
The Musée Calvet is an art museum in Avignon founded in 1811. It is one of the museums run by the Fondation Calvet. You can find the fine arts housed in an 18th-century hôtel particulier, though the collection has been split between two buildings since the 1980s. For those interested in the Lapidary Museum, it is located in the former chapel of the city's Jesuit college on rue de la République. I've noticed the crowds are steady here, with 35,131 annual visitors passing through.
The bishops of Avignon once used this building as their residence. Now, it is the Musée du Petit Palais, an art museum that opened in 1976. You can pick out the early 14th-century architecture of the structure, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. It is a popular spot in the city, welcoming 33,116 annual visitors. I've noticed the building has a presence that makes it easy to spot from the street, and it is a great place to stop and admire the local history before moving on to your next shot.
You will find the Musée Louis Vouland in Avignon. This furniture museum focuses on decorative arts from the 17th and 18th centuries. The museum is housed in a hôtel particulier designed by Villeneuve-Esclapon, which provides a fitting setting for the exhibits. Inside, you can pick out a variety of Parisian furniture alongside collections of metalwork, tapestries, and paintings. There is also a selection of faience from Marseille and Moustiers to see. I think the combination of the building and the art makes for a very cohesive experience.
Look closely at the curated pieces before you see how they fit into the wider space. This is Collection Lambert, an art collection and museum that was founded in 2000. It is a significant stop for anyone visiting the city who wants to experience the local creative spirit. I find it is a great spot to pause and appreciate the art scene while you are exploring the neighborhood. Since the museum is a dedicated space for these works, it offers a focused environment that allows you to really engage with each individual piece in the collection.
You might expect to find another church or cathedral when walking these streets, but this is the Synagogue in Avignon. It is a synagogue designed in the Neoclassical architecture style. Joseph, Auguste Joffroy was the architect of the building, and the construction process was started in 1785. Because of its architectural and cultural importance to the city, the site is now a classified historical monument. It stands as a distinct piece of the city's heritage for any visitor to observe.
Let me show you the Théâtre des corps saints. This site is a theatre building. It provides a space for the performing arts within the city. I've noticed it's a great spot to watch the crowds drift by.
La Respélid' is a Carmelite monastery located in Avignon. This site is also a convent of Carmelite nuns. Visitors to the city can find this location while exploring the various historical landmarks and religious sites that define the local area. It is a place where the history of the Carmelite order is preserved within the city walls, providing a glimpse into the monastic life that once took place here. Whether you are interested in the architecture or the spiritual history of the region, this site is a notable stop in Avignon.
You will first notice the presence of the Théâtre des Halles. This place is a theatre building. I find it is a great spot to see how the city handles its performing arts.
This isn't a museum or a gallery; it is a theatre building. Théâtre La Luna is a place dedicated to the performing arts in the heart of the city. It is a great spot to experience the local creative energy. I've noticed the crowds here always seem to be in a hurry to get inside before the curtain rises.
The Chapelle des Pénitents gris is a chapel located in Avignon. When you visit this site, you will notice that it is a classified historical monument. This official status is important because it protects the building as a significant piece of the city's heritage. As a place of worship, it provides a direct link to the religious traditions of the area. It stands as a preserved example of the city's historical architecture for all visitors to see.
This is not a grand cathedral or a public square. It is the Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs, a chapel that reflects the baroque architecture style. The building was started in 1739 and is now a classified historical monument. You can see the specific ornamental details of the baroque period in the facade and structure, making it a distinct point of interest for those exploring the religious sites of Avignon. It stands as a preserved example of the artistic preferences of its time, offering a focused look at the city's historical development.
Look up at the stone heights of Tour Philippe le Bel, a medieval tower in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. This castle is a classified historical monument that once marked the French terminus of the Saint-Bénézet Bridge across the Rhone. King Philippe-le-Bel was responsible for the construction of the site, and the tower carries his name. I've seen plenty of things from the air, but the scale of this place always catches the eye. It stands as a remnant of a time when crossing the river was a major event.