April Was for Avignon
And for a lot of other things too, but Avignon was the highlight for us. This April is noticeably cooler than
what we experienced last year, and with a lot more wind. We also had a marvelous return visit to Palavas-
les-Flots at the beginning of the month. Situated at the mouth of the Lez River makes it a popular
destination for sailors as well as beach bums like us. One of its delights is Le Phare, the revolving restaurant
at the top of a re-purposed 45 metre (148 foot) water tower. The quality of the food and the service
matches the spectacular 360 degree views. It was a clear day, so we took our time indulging in a leisurely
lunch as we took in the scenery. From Aigues Mortes to the east, the Mediterranean to the south, Sete to
the west, and all of Occitanie from there around to Aigues Mortes again with Montpellier, Pic Saint-Loup
and the Cevennes spread out like a map.
This collage above provides a glimpse of what this day was like; we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and are looking forward to returning to Palavas-les-Flots and enjoying the beach when the weather gets a little warmer.
But the exploration of the month was Avignon on the 13th. The weather turned out to be about the best day of the month: sunny skies and temperature reaching 80 F. Avignon is only a little over an hour train-ride and we left early so we could make a full day of it.
L. Le Pont de la chanson – R. (clockwise from upper left) the market in Place des Carmes, figs on the tree,
Notre Dame des Doms d’Avignon, Palais des Papes, City Hall (clock tower beyond) in Place de l’Horloge
I am assuming all of you are familiar with the children’s song Sur le pont d’Avignon (many of you have no doubt sung it) but as you can see, no one was dancing on it this day. We chose to admire (and photograph) it from a-far – Jardin des Doms, overlooking the Rhone. We approached the garden from Place des Carmes guided by the spire of Notre Dame and climbing Saint-Anne’s stairs (about 150 or so) passing a fig tree (but they were unripe) and then wandered about the city taking in the Palais and passing through the Place de Horloge before enjoying a delicious lunch at Restaurant au Jardin des Carmes (below)
From great food, to historic churches (Basilique Saint-Pierre 1358) to magnificent views from the Jardin des
Doms (Fort Saint-Andre, early 14th cent. built by the French to keep an eye on the Pope across the Rhone)
Bonny and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit, even if we didn’t get to dance on le pont. Maybe next time?
À bientôt
John
La Vie de Montpellier 
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