Following our busy last day in Paris we prepared for our journey to Avignon. Packing of course, and also cleaning up our apartment at 24 rue Vavin that had served us so well. Then there was that last minute run for those darned macaroons we had missed yesterday, and a stop at the patisserie for “jamon et Gruyere” and “poulet” on baguettes to eat on the train.
A quick metro ride to Gare Lyon, followed by brief confusion while we found our train, and we were soon settled into our seats on the upper cabin of the double decker TGV. Leaving on time at 11:41 we raced out into the French countryside, past hay and wheat fields. The white French Charolais cattle all had found shade from the midday sun under large oak trees, and appeared content to wait out the heat there before resuming their grazing.

The flatland outside of Paris gradually turned into rolling hills, with fewer fields and more wooded countryside. The sky, somewhat cloudy and hazy in Paris, gradually cleared but the heat persisted; even in our air conditioned train it oozed through the walls.

We arrived in Avignon by 3:30 after a very comfortable and speedy trip. Our home in Avignon has massive beamed ceilings and a fireplace in typical French country style. The city is chaotic in preparation for the 2 week Arts Festival that begins this weekend, and every available wall is covered with posters for the upcoming events.

Once settled into our apartment we decided to knock off the cultural part of our stop in Avignon so we could have some relaxation tomorrow.  Off we went to tour the Palais des Papes and the nearby bridge. Avignon was the seat of the papacy during the 14th century, when the city ofAvignon was purchased from Queen Joan of Naples for 80,000 florins (and she coincidentally received a papal judgement that she did not murder her husband  in order to marry his cousin- riiiight!).

The palace is a monumental wreck of a place, lots of fun to ramble through and looming over the walled city like a tombstone.  Large parts of the palace were torn down after the Papacy returned to Rome, and I’d bet there are more than a few buildings throughout the area that contain parts of the old palace.

Finding ourselves in need of nourishment we strolled through the city and came across a place advertising blues and burgers.  The owner assured me they were all very sad due to BB King’s recent death, and there was a radio station playing Chicago blues.  We sat outside and had maybe the best hamburgers we’d ever eaten.  Of course in French fashion and after observing the locals we ate the burgers with knife and fork.

Another day ended with a fine meal, we went home to bed.