wordpro.blog

Avignon Old and New Coexist

March 6, 2025

Avignon

Old and New Coexist

It’s no surprise that when visiting the ancient city—a symbol of Avignon—you might feel like you’re stepping back in time to 14th century France and Europe, as described in books. There is also a story related to Vietnam here that seems to be little known.

Avignon, a city in the south of France, is divided into two distinct areas. On one side, the modern city with high-rise buildings, a bustling pace of life, a bit hurried. On one side, the ancient city of Avignon with its old houses, a life of quietude and tranquility.

This is one of the rare cities in France that still retains most of its ancient fortifications. Its historical center includes the papal palace, the surrounding religious architecture, and the very famous bridge from the song “Sur le pont d’Avignon,” which anyone who has studied French since elementary school surely remembers. All of it was classified as a “World Heritage Site” by UNESCO in 1995.

We walked along the moat surrounding the ancient city of Avignon. The stone walls, weathered by the elements, have many damaged sections.

Above the wall, one can still see the watchtowers and a narrow path once used by the guards. Below, you can see the old path where soldiers used to patrol on horseback, now overgrown with grass and wildflowers.

It seems that the walls protecting the Imperial City of Huế were also built in this architectural style. But the ancient Avignon fortress is more solid because it is made entirely of stone, while the Hue citadel is made of brick.

According to historical documents, in the 14th century, the prosperous era of Christianity, the ancient city of Avignon was the heart of this religion. Nine popes lived here from 1309 to 1423 – more than 100 years. Therefore, it is also known as the “city of the Popes.”

A city with roads, houses, schools, churches, hospitals, theaters, museums, shops, hotels, city halls, courts, barracks, armories, and ammunition depots… Even a casino.

And most of the roads here were built during the Middle Ages, from the 5th to the 15th century, so they are narrow. Usually, the roads are about two meters wide and mostly paved with stones. Such roads are only for walking, cycling, and mini-train rides for tourists; each trip around the city takes 40 minutes and costs 8 euros.

Even though it is not prohibited, perhaps no one would dare to drive a car on such narrow roads. Leaving the old town and entering the new urban area, the roads are only about six meters wide, paved, enough for two cars to pass each other in opposite directions.

papal palace, tourism, building, imposing, impressively, enormous, avignon, city, downtown, city life, france, architecture, sightseeing, tourist attraction, south france, landmark, front facade, papal palace, avignon, avignon, avignon, avignon, avignon, france
Avignon, often called the “City of the Popes,” is renowned for its stunning medieval architecture and rich history as the papal seat in the 14th century.

Other Articles

napoleon, history, war, france, army, power, warrior, painting, napoleon, napoleon, napoleon, napoleon, napoleon
From Ajaccio to Waterloo Following in Napoleon’s Footsteps It is nearly impossible to escape Napoleon’s presence in Ajaccio France. The power of the Bonaparte family has never faded, and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte remains an ever-present figure in the capital of the island of Corsica belonging to France. And when one visits Waterloo, not far from Belgium’s capital, Brussels, it is to imagine the final battle of the emperor often regarded as one of France’s greatest. Even at the waiting area of the international airport, a bust of Napoleon greets visitors. The airport, located about five kilometers east of Ajaccio’s port, has been renamed Ajaccio Napoléon Bonaparte, replacing its former name, "Campo dell’Oro." Once inside the city, one quickly notices that Napoleon’s statues and images are everywhere. He can be seen standing alone, alongside a lion, or even with a woman. There are statues of Napoleon on horseback, cast in bronze or carved from marble. At night, his statues glow under the bright beams of spotlights, keeping his legacy illuminated. Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica, is Napoleon Bonaparte’s birthplace. Situated on the rugged western coast of Corsica, Ajaccio has managed to maintain a balance between its past as a fishing village and its present as an administrative center. This balance has made it a tourist magnet, even before mass tourism became a phenomenon. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, massive cruise ships regularly docked in Ajaccio’s port, bringing in waves of visitors who would flood the city in large numbers. In Ajaccio, we chose to stay in the foreign quarter, renting a spacious Airbnb for two. Since it was in the city center, the price was steep—$100 per night, double the rate of accommodations in the suburbs. According to historical records, the last 30 years of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century marked the golden age of this international quarter, as Ajaccio expanded southward. Without taking time to freshen up, still carrying the scent of crowded airports and packed flights, we headed straight out to explore. Wandering through the foreign quarter alone was already worth the trip. This beautiful district is dotted with grand mansions, luxury hotels, and charming villas lining pine tree-shaded streets that stretch all the way to Ajaccio’s port. In the 19th century, many aristocratic European families owned second homes here, which is how the area earned the name "the foreign quarter." Napoleon is ever-present. In the expansive Général-de-Gaulle Square, which opens toward the harbor, a statue of Napoleon stands in Roman attire, flanked by equally grand statues of his brothers. Each figure exudes an air of authority. Yet the most fascinating sight - still tied to Napoleon - is the location that separates the foreign quarter from the rest of the city. It is perched on a hill. While a tram ticket could have taken us there, we opted to save money and embrace the challenge of a leisurely uphill walk, treating it as a bit of exercise.
From Ajaccio to Waterloo Following in Napoleon’s Footsteps It is nearly impossible to escape Napoleon’s...
Read More
Striking view of a Gothic cathedral tower, captured in black and white, showcasing intricate architecture.
A Very Big Christmas Tree
A Very Big Christmas Tree Back then, we visited many places, so we couldn’t make it back to the...
Read More
A very tall building with a clock on it's face
The Church With So Much Visitors
The Church With So Much Visitors The Strasbourg Cathedral, officially Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg,...
Read More