Streets of Avignon
I always heard of the name Avignon, but I never really knew where it was. Sure I knew the name sounded French but it was just a name for me. I didn’t know its significance. I only became aware that Avignon is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site and it seems that it is an important part of the history of France. Much of the medieval city of Avignon was preserved. This starts from the walls which surrounded much of medieval town. I was under the impression that old town of Avignon would be much larger but it seems to be very walkable city.
Rue de la Republique in Avignon
Avignon is probably best known for its role in the Avignon Papacy, a fact that I didn’t even know of. It seems that this was where the popes resided for a while. There would be time for that, I was still in the outskirts of the medieval town. Despite how much of the town has been preserved. A lot of existing structures have been used for more modern purposes, such a shops and restaurants. This is probably an inevitable fate of medieval cities. Perhaps it is good enough that the structures themselves have been preserved. One couldn’t possibly expect everything medieval town to become a museum town just for tourism.
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