If you’re a frequent reader of our Tiny Boutique Escapes Section, I’m sure you are well aware that the picturesque French countryside is one of our go-to destinations. After all, what’s not to love about the idyllic hilly villages, time-worn towns and the warm and welcoming locals? While we have spoken about the magical French region Provence and the town of Vaucluse in a previous article, today we’re going to explore the gateway of Provence— Avignon.
Located on the banks of the Rhône River, Avignon— also known as the City of the Popes— is one of the largest cities in Provence. Though once you’re there, the city tends to feel more like a spacious town thanks to the generally peaceful atmosphere.
While Avignon, like most Mediterranean cities, has stunning ancient architecture and narrow lanes and roads, this region of Provence is the perfect mix of quaint village life and the fast-paced humdrum of a city. With numerous cafes, bars, restaurants and shopping centres there’s much to explore besides historic monuments. Of course, that being said, a trip to Avignon truly wouldn’t be complete without a little sightseeing.
When in Avignon, it is best to hire a car to ensure that you get to explore the region to your heart’s content. While there is regular public transportation that is easily available, they don’t offer you a wide variety of destinations to visit as it is commonly used by locals to commute to work and back. Of course, if you’re not too keen on renting a car and driving in a foreign country, you can always go on one of the many day tours that start at the city centre.
One of the biggest attractions at Avignon is the Palais des Papes a.k.a. the Pope’s Palace. Built in 1335, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the 10 most visited monuments in France. This towering structure is actually made up of two different palaces built by two Popes. The construction of the original palace, also known as the Old Palace, was ordered by Pope Benedict XII and was built to the east and north. A few years later, his successor Pope Clement VI built the New Palace to the south and west. This medieval gothic building is a must-visit for anyone travelling to Provence. If you’re lucky and visiting during the summer, you might witness the art exhibition that is hosted in the Great Chapel or get to enjoy the open-air theatre in the Main Courtyard.
If you’re a lover of art, the Musée du Petit Palais is bound to steal your heart. The museum houses one of the largest collections of European Medieval art. The palace was once home to Cardinal Arnaud de Via and then the Archbishop and was only converted into a museum cum gallery in 1976.
Just a hop, skip and a jump away from the Musée du Petit Palais is the breathtaking Jardin des Doms. Enjoy a stroll under the shady canopy of trees as you watch ducks gliding across the clear waters of the pond at this beautiful public garden. With old statues and stunning views of different parts of the city, the Jardin des Doms is the perfect place to end your day of sightseeing.
When it comes to accommodations, Avignon offers you the crème de la crème of boutique hotels. After researching and checking out so many, we’ve found one that caught our eye immediately! Enter La Divine Comédie.
Situated in the largest private garden in Avignon, La Divine Comédie is a stunning boutique hotel that is sure to take your breath away. An old townhouse with five suites, this bed and breakfast offers you a chance to reside in the elegance of traditional French architecture and design.
The property itself is steep in interesting history. During the 14th century, the property was a part of the Cardinal’s private livery. Unfortunately, the palace was demolished sometime during the 16th century, and some of the stones were used to build the wall fence surrounding the current property. The current north wing of the house was built in the 18th century, and finally, the main building was added in the 19th century. This historic house has been home to several guests over the centuries, and soon you may be one of its many guests too.
The hotel is run by a three-man team of avid travellers who bought the property in 2010 and spent seven years renovating the garden and building. The walls of the mansion will immediately catch your eye as most of them showcase paintings and other artworks of various artists. Each of the suites— namely Anatole, Aphrodite, Consul, Naples and Venice— has its own wonderful story to tell. Enjoy a few hours of bliss at their Wellness Area that is in the heart of the garden, overlooking the pool. There’s much to enjoy here, be it the sauna, hammam, rain shower or the massages from the skilled masseuse.
No holiday to Provence would be truly complete without spending at least a day or two in the beauty of Avignon. And I can’t wait until I have the opportunity to explore it in person.
Written by Mohit Gupta
Week 28 July, 2021
