Town & Country Travel Blog
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Destination Focus: Avignon, France
Rich in history, full of beauty, Avignon is a whimsical town in the southeastern part of Provence, France. It’s greatest claim to fame is when it held papal power from 1309 to 1791, before it became a part of France. The reign came to an end following the French Revolution, but the gift of magnificent architecture left Avignon forever changed, and tourists come in droves to experience its exuberance.
The massive medieval fortress and papal palace, Palais des Papes, rest prominently on the left bank of the Rhone River. This historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Avignon is a popular destination for tourists in general, but particularly as a stop for river cruise companies. Cruisers benefit from the cruise company’s – and their travel agent’s – access to the best local guides around, who can give travelers insight and access to experiences they would never otherwise create on their own
Our fearless leader, Jane Lee Winter and her husband Larry, recently hosted a group of 7 couples on a Uniworld cruise that floated from Burgundy (Lyon) to Provence (Avignon).
Among many memorable excursions on the 8-day cruise that began in Lyon, the highlights for the Avignon portion featured:
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A cooking class at La Mirande that included a trip to the market…
…some really “hard” work prepping the meal…
…and then of course tasting it to make sure it’s OK…
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Going on a truffle hunting excursion
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And finally, a visit to Provence wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Chateauneuf du Pape for (more!) wine tasting!
…All roads lead to Chateauneuf du Pape…
They look like they’re having a terrible time, don’t they?
Town & Country Travel Blog 
