Morning folks, today we head back to the river cruise in France and if memory serves the next showing was going to be the Popes Palace in Avignon.
But first one of the classic sights of Avignon the "Pont d'Avignon" from which the song "Sur le pont d'Avignon" derives. It did one cross the river but suffered a number of catastrophic collapsed and was finally abandoned to its fate following floods in 1668.
Entering the Popes Palace.
Some of the ceiling frescos which I thought were interesting being in shades of black and white.
The kitchen chimney which we were asked to guess its height. I piped up 33m and was spot on. you can just imagine all the cooking fires belching out smoke and the heat generated within the room.
I was also intrigued to notice this single bell tower. Not the grand peel of bells one would expect with the stature of the Popes station.
This gold statue stood high on top of a tower, it took the full magnification of my camera (X10) to get this shot.
The great hall within the palace where the Pope held audience. The roof was made from walnut which spiders just hate, consequently there is no cobweb problem.
We were then taken into the private chambers of the Pope but alas no photos were allowed but I did wonder with all the steps we climbed up and down if the then popes ever walked them or were they carried. This shot was looking out from the chambers onto the courtyard.
Lastly, the chapel which as you can see is quite grand.