Avignon, France

      My French Modernism teacher, Professor Young, decided to step up her field trip game by taking our small, ten person class to Avignon for the afternoon.  After a somewhat disappointing photography exhibition this past weekend in Arles, she made a special request with Eleanor to try our luck once more with another exhibition in one of the largest towns in southern France.  Avignon was like a mini Paris in a sense, and being able to soak up the city vibe was extremely rejuvenating.  The photography exhibition was a complete 180 from what we had experienced just days before, and having the opportunity to gaze among the works of famous photographers such as Diane Arbus and Jacques-Henri Lartigue was pretty surreal.  We had literally just finished studying the photographs of these two artists, and the look on Lisa’s face when she saw their work was priceless. She knew she had finally found us a good one.  

      Nestled in the rolling hills of Avignon, France lies a monumental structure known as the Palais des Papes, or, the Palace of the Popes.  I learned that the Catholic Church literally purchased tiny Avignon and moved the pope’s primary location from Rome to this remote area of France.  A monumental palace was built in his honor: a combination of cathedrals, extension wings, courtyards, and private residence quarters were meshed together into this single unit.  A large stone fortress was built around the entire premise of Avignon in order to protect it from any possible intruders.  The grand scale of this place stretches over an impressive two and a half miles.  The preservation and development of Avignon can be credited to this collection of buildings as they make up one of the largest chateaux of its time.  While once richly and vividly decorated with paintings, tapestries, statues, and ornate furniture, there are only a few visible frescos remaining, and the building has become a hollow shell of its former glory.

This structure became the highlight of my excursion since I had spent days researching this place at the beginning of the quarter for my Treasures of Provence paper.  In all honestly, I did not think I was going to have the chance to bask in its glory during my time here, so it was an honor and treat to find myself doing just that.  I know I have said it before, but I have to reiterate how special I feel being only an hour’s drive or less from some seriously iconic destinations.  It is hard to grasp the fact I have seen, learned, and done so much during my short time here. 

      I find myself now prepping my heart and mind for a safe and exciting extended weekend vacation to London.  I could not ask for three better girls to be traveling with, and I absolutely adore my friend and honorary tour guide that will be waiting for us at the gate when our plane lands outside the city.  It sounds so cheesy and redundant, but I feel like the luckiest girl on earth with all of these amazing opportunities that have presented themselves.  At any moment, will I arise from this perfect dream? 

~Peace & Cupcakes~

Palais des Papes

Strolling through the streets. 

Silly times in photography museum.

You don't expect us to act like adults, do you?

Crepe Stand<3 How could we not?

Strolling the streets. 

Stone "gate" surrounding the ENTIRE town of Avignon.