An Insider's Guide to Provence

<h1>An Insider's Guide to Provence - Avignon</h1>Author: <a title="Sue Aitken" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/sue-aitken/136586.htm">Sue Aitken</a> I do believe that Avignon is my favourite large town in Provence. And if you arrive there on a warm spring day with the roofs of the medieval buildings outlined against the wonderful blue Provence sky – I think you’ll understand why. Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse department (84) and has enough to see and do to warrant a two or three day visit. There’s the 14th century Palais des Papes – basically the palace of the French pope, in the days when there were two Popes in Europe. It’s worth taking a guided tour as there are interesting stories and tidbits about this vast building that you’ll miss if you wander around on your own. And of course there’s the famous Pont d’Avignon (Pont de St Bénézet) which stretches into the river Rhône. But actually wandering around this historic town is interesting in itself – and there’s a great range of shops if you get history overload! The best boutique shopping is to be found on either side of the Place de l’Horloge: the pedestrianised area to the south east of the square, or the narrow streets to the west – don’t bother with the Rue République which is full of chain stores and a bit disappointing. I don’t have a large number of restaurants to recommend here, but La Fourchette, 17 rue racine has a very good reputation. I tried to get in there the last time I was in Avignon, only to be disappointed as it was fully booked. So don’t simply turn up and hope for the best. People watching is excellent at any of the cafes in the Place de l’Horloge. And there’s a great café/bar called Phimabri where you can get an excellent light lunch.     Sue Aitken is the owner of Boutique Provencale which offers <a href="”<a target="_blank" href="http://boutiqueprovencale.co.uk”">French">http://boutiqueprovencale.co.uk”">French</a> Gifts</a> and <a href="”<a target="_blank" href="http://boutiqueprovencale.co.uk/shop/proven-al-lifestyle.html”">French">http://boutiqueprovencale.co.uk/shop/proven-al-lifestyle.html”">French</a> Home Accessories</a>.         About the Author: Sue Aitken is a bit of an expert on Provence, having travelled extensively in the region and a regular visitor to her flat in Sanary sur Mer in the Var. She's so passionate about the region that she launched a website <a href="http://www.boutiqueprovencale.co.uk" target="_blank">www.boutiqueprovencale.co.uk</a> where she sells a range of original french gifts from Provence.Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/an-insiders-guide-to-provence-avignon-843420.html" title="An Insider's Guide to Provence - Avignon">An Insider's Guide to Provence - Avignon</a>

I do believe that Avignon is my favourite large town in Provence. And if you arrive there on a warm spring day with the roofs of the medieval buildings outlined against the wonderful blue Provence sky – I think you’ll understand why.

Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse department (84) and has enough to see and do to warrant a two or three day visit. There’s the 14th century Palais des Papes – basically the palace of the French pope, in the days when there were two Popes in Europe. It’s worth taking a guided tour as there are interesting stories and tidbits about this vast building that you’ll miss if you wander around on your own. And of course there’s the famous Pont d’Avignon (Pont de St Bénézet) which stretches into the river Rhône. But actually wandering around this historic town is interesting in itself – and there’s a great range of shops if you get history overload! The best boutique shopping is to be found on either side of the Place de l’Horloge: the pedestrianised area to the south east of the square, or the narrow streets to the west – don’t bother with the Rue République which is full of chain stores and a bit disappointing.

I don’t have a large number of restaurants to recommend here, but La Fourchette, 17 rue racine has a very good reputation. I tried to get in there the last time I was in Avignon, only to be disappointed as it was fully booked. So don’t simply turn up and hope for the best. People watching is excellent at any of the cafes in the Place de l’Horloge. And there’s a great café/bar called Phimabri where you can get an excellent light lunch.

Sue Aitken is the owner of Boutique Provencale which offers French Gifts and French Home Accessories.

Sue Aitken is a bit of an expert on Provence, having travelled extensively in the region and a regular visitor to her flat in Sanary sur Mer in the Var. She's so passionate about the region that she launched a website www.boutiqueprovencale.co.uk where she sells a range of original french gifts from Provence.

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Article Tags: Boutique, Provence, Provencal

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