Avignon ("Av-eeen-yawn") was the papal headquarters, fortified
by the Papal Palace, before the Vatican became the home of the papal headquarters. The name Avignon is derived from the name “Aouenion,”
which comes from the Celtic or Ligurian words meaning “town of the violent
wind,” which wind today is called “the mistral” wind. The River Rhone runs
through Avignon, making it well situated for trading because of its large river
port. In the 14th Century, Avignon became the capital of the
Christian world, and seven popes held court at Avignon. Eventually, the papal site was resituated in
the Vatican after political skirmishes between France and Italian city
states. It has a fully walled old city complete with turrets.
Avignon was the home of the Pope for more than 200 years - better weather and fewer enemies than Rome. The Papal Palace is the center piece of the old town. The Palace is shown below.
The French love their carousels. Many towns, including Avignon, have one.
While we were in Avignon, we visited an olive mill,
Huile d'Olive (Mas des Barres), where we learned about making French olive oils and sampled olive oil
and tapenade.
Each stainless steel vat holds 5000 liters of olive oil. This requires 15000 to 20000 kilos of olives. The olives are processed as soon as they are picked by modern machinery.
The family has won international awards for their olive oil. Things have taken a big step forward since the old days using the millstone below.
A couple of shots of our tour group having a dinner together in Avignon:
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