Marseille Trip Overview
Avignon once centre of the Catholic world, today a magnificent urban landscape, overlooking the river Rhône & the Saint Bénezet Bridge – the famous Pont d’Avignon. Start with a visit to the Palais and a walk to the famous bridge of Avignon. Afterwards a short drive to the other side of the River Rhône to visit the medieval village of Villeneuve Les Avignon and La Chartreuse de Villeneuve Les Avignon that dates from the first half of the 14th century. Commissioned by Pope Innocent VI it is a magnificent building that connects with and helps to tell the story of the Pope’s of Avignon. On our way, a short stop to marvel at the Tour Philippe-le-Bel, a tower that was once at the point of entry of the famous bridge of Avignon, almost a kilometre away in the city of Avignon.
Additional Info
Duration: 6 to 8 hours
Starts: Marseille, France
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Marseille Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, France
Avignon once centre of the Catholic world, today a magnificent urban landscape, overlooking the river Rhône & the Saint Bénezet Bridge – the famous Pont d’Avignon. Start with a visit to the Palais and a walk to the famous bridge of Avignon. Afterwards a short drive to the other side of the River Rhône to visit the medieval village of Villeneuve Les Avignon and La Chartreuse de Villeneuve Les Avignon that dates from the first half of the 14th century. Commissioned by Pope Innocent VI it is a magnificent building that connects with and helps to tell the story of the Pope’s of Avignon. On our way, a short stop to marvel at the Tour Philippe-le-Bel, a tower that was once at the point of entry of the famous bridge of Avignon, almost a kilometre away in the city of Avignon.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Place du Palais des Papes, 84000, Avignon France
Guided tour of the Palais – the largest gothic palace in Europe.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Pont Saint-Benezet (Pont d’Avignon), Boulevard de la Ligne, 84000, Avignon France
Short guided tour of the famous bridge of Avignon, it offers great views towards the mountains in the north and the Palais des Papes that towers above you looking down onto the River Rhône.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Chartreuse de Villeneuve lez Avignon, 58 rue de la Republique, 30400 Villeneuve-les-Avignon France
La Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction owes its beginnings to Pope Innocent VI. After his election in 1352, the then cardinal donated his lands & private residence he owned at Villeneuve lez Avignon. Originally planned for twelve monks, the monastery was granted numerous privileges. The decoration of its private chapel was entrusted to Matteo Giovannetti, who had painted the frescoes in the Palace of the Popes. Pope Innocent VI had close ties with the monastery and, at his request, he was buried there when he died in 1362. His mausoleum, a monument which was removed after the Revolution, was returned to the church in 1959. The work begun by Innocent VI was carried on by his nephew, Pierre Selva de Montirac, Cardinal of Pampelona, who finished the St John Cloister in 1372. Its three cloisters made it the biggest Carthusian monastery in France. At the time of the French Revolution, it was divided into lots and sold, its library & works of art scattered, the monastery was severely damaged.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Fort Saint-Andre, 4 rue Montee du Fort, 30400 Villeneuve-les-Avignon France
Short walking tour of the Fort with spectacular views over the Avignon and onto La Chartreuse, below. Commissioned in the late 13th century by Philip the Fair but only built in 1360 under John the Good, the fort stood at the frontier with the Holy Roman Empire and near the papal residence in Avignon. A symbol of royal power. The fort had a permanent garrison, a court of justice and a prison, with graffiti by prisoners from the 18th and 19th centuries. Its strategic significance, however, declined in 1480 when Provence became part of France. Soldiers continued to occupy the site until 1792. On return to Avignon at the entrance to the town of Villeneuve-les-Avignon, the Philippe Le Bel tower built between 1292 and 1307 on orders from King Philip
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Jardins de l’abbaye Saint-Andre, Rue Montee du Fort Fort Saint-André, 30400 Villeneuve-les-Avignon France
Saint André is a Benedictine Abbaye from the 10th and 17th centuries. Magnificent terraced gardens, splendid views over the Rhone valley and the historical city of Avignon.
Duration: 30 minutes
