Avignon

Avignon is the capital of Vaucluse department. It belongs to the Provence-Alpes-Cote-d'Azur. Avignon is often called the city of Popes. Also, the city's architecture is marked by papal history. The most popular piece of architecture of the city is the Palace of the Popes that was built in the 14th century. Between the 10th of July and the 5th of August, a theatre festival is organized in the city. Jean Vilar started the festival in 1947. A series of street shows also take place at the Off Festival.

Area & Location: The city is located on the left bank of Rhone river. The 43º56'58?N latitude and 04º48'32?E longitude pass through Avignon. The total land area occupied by Avignon is 64.78 square kilometer. The altitude varies between 10m and 122m. Around 85,935 people reside in the city with a density of 1,326 per square kilometer.

Transportation: The airport serving Avignon is Aeroport Avignon-Caumont. From Paris, you can reach Avignon in just an hour from Orly Airport. From Aeroport Avignon-Caumont you can reach Avignon by taxi. The Marseille-Provence Airport is located at a distance of 50 miles southeast of Avignon.

Tourists can reach Avignon from Paris in three hours in TGV trains from Gare de Lyon. By road A6 south to Lyon and A7 south to Avignon can be taken. If you're departure point is London, then you can take the Eurostar high-speed train from Waterloo station.

Hotels: Hotel d'Europe, Le Clos du Rempart - Guest House, La Banasterie - Guest House, De l'Horloge Hotel, Holiday Inn Express Avignon, La Mirande Hotel, Best Western La Magnaneraie, Concept Nurys Agramonte - Appartments Avignon, Avignon Grand Hotel, Clarion Cloitre Saint Louis Hotel, Kyriad Avignon Palais des Papes, Auberge de Noves, Hotel d' Angleterre, Bristol Hotel, Hotel Roques Les Angles, Hotel de l'atelier, Mercure Cite des Papes, Mercure Avignon Sud and Hotel Golf Avignon are some popular hotels of the city.

Places of Attraction: Avignon has a lot in store for the visitors. The most popular attractions of Avignon are Palais desPapes (Pope's Palace), Rocher des Doms, St. Benezet Bridge (Pont d'Avignon), Cathedrale Notre-Dame des Doms, Fondation Angladon-Dubrujeaud, Musee Calvet, Musee Lapidaire, Musee Requien, Musee du Petit-Palais, Rue de la Republique, Chartreuse du Val de Benediction, Musee Louis-Vouland, Tour Philippe le Bel, Place de l'Horloge, Rue de Teinturiers (Street of Dyers), Avignon Synagogue and Eglise Notre-Dame des Anges.

In the 14th century, Palais des Papes (Pope's Palace), the Roman Catholic popes resided after the Great Schism. St. Benezet Bridge (Pont d'Avignon) is a legendary monument built on Rhone River.