We took the opportunity to sleep in this morning as we had another restless night. The laneway below our bedroom window is quite busy with foot and car traffic, as well as brightly illuminated. We have the windows wide open and the shutters ajar to provide some relief from the heat and humidity. We are getting our own breakfast as our host is away for last night and today.
We head off to take in some more sights today, and as many of the attractions are free today it is a bonus.
First it is off to see the remains of the famous bridge Pont Saint Benedict or Pont D’Avignon. It was originally constructed in the 13th century, and suffered damage due to Rhone River floods. It had been rebuilt up until the 17th century, but a power struggle between the different dynasties resulted in majority demolition.
We walk out onto the remaining 4 sections, with the remains of a chapel on 2 levels located above one of the piers.
Our next visit stop is the PETIT PALAIS MUSEUM which is a 4 or 5 storey limestone small palace built for one of Archbishop administrators at the time of the Popes developing the Palace of Popes in the 13th century. The building is now used to display an outstanding collection of Italian [The Campana collection, Louvre Museum deposit] and Provencal paintings from the late 13th to early 16th centuries, plus a collection of Romanesque and Gothic Avignon sculptures. We spend well over 2 hours wandering around viewing the displays……the quality of which , either restored or unrestored, is great with very vibrant colours mostly on wood. Much of the Italian paintings are on the theme of Christ and the disciples plus the Virgin mother.
From there we wander back to one of the “squares” for lunch and some shade. The heat/humidity is getting to us both and we both do not really have any appetite. Lunch of a hamburger/chips & lettuce and some rehydration and it is onto the next museum – CALVET MUSEUM.
The Calvet Museum is housed in a magnificent 18th century private home and holds Fine Arts collection from the 15th – 20th centuries, as well as the Marcel Puech Donation of furnishings, faiences, bronzes plus a fascinating Egyptian collection of artefacts. Most of the oil paintings are on such a grand scale that you have to be well back to take the scene in. After an hour, 4 very tired legs headed back to our accommodation for a rest.
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