Avignon is a small-to-medium sized city of slightly more than 90,000 people. It has had virtually this same number of residents for the past 45 years, and could very well have 90,000 people 45 years from now.
Avignon has had people in its area ever since the Neolithic period (about 12,000 years ago). The name and political structure began in the sixth century B.C., about the same time of the founding of Rome. In the early second century, it became a Roman colony and in the third century, there was a small coterie of Christians outside the walls of the city. The city is most famous as the place where several popes, both official and otherwise, resided in the fourteenth century.
A favorite of tourists
From the large and popular Avignon train station, you can get car hires from several places to go to more places. Avignon is large and popular because it has many tourists, and it has many tourists because it is large and popular. Disregarding this circular reasoning, you ought to be aware that such places like Place du Palais and Place de L’horloge are extremely expensive and may be the typical tourist-trap. However, it could be worth it just for the experience. Perhaps better is the Place Pie, open in the mornings, from where you can get fresh produce, cheeses and wines.
As with many places in France, there are a surprising number of museums. Some of the ones in Avignon have artifacts from the Roman and pre-Roman times. You will definitely want to travel in your car hire if you arrive in July for the internationally-known street festivals. The city becomes a virtual America’s Got Talent, although the tickets can be expensive.
For those who love to travel
There are a few things that endear me to any place when I travel. One of them is a beach. Avignon may not abut a beach, but it is in the South of France, and it is a short jaunt by car hire to see the wonders of the beaches there.
Another is the use of English. This being France, English is not favored, and even the popular street festival is more often in French. However, because it is international, there are several acts in which English is communicated. Best of all is the unique cultural history. After all, how many places can boast of civilized history comprising thousands of years?
