Pont du Gard-Nimes-Avignon

Today is jam-packed. Off to Pont du Gard which is a 2000 year old aqueduct built by the Romans to bring water from the Gard river to the people of Nimes.  It is a beautiful monument to the architectural intelligence of the Roman people. During the flood of 2002, the waters rose to the top of the first arch.  We bathe our toes in the river and climb to the edge of the top beam where it meets one side of the cliff.

 Back on the bus, we drive onto the town of Nimes, where the ancient aqueduct once delivered  water to its people.  In Nimes, we have lunch and visit the Arenes, a smaller version of the Coliseum found in Rome.  The audio tour describes it gory history of gladiator and animal fighting.  The sun is hot and a bit blinding.  Somehow I manage to miss step on the large stone stairs and roll my ankle.  A bandage ibuprofen and arnica later I am much better.  But I can’t say the same for the man that slipped and was taken out in a wheelchair with a temporary splint on his leg!

Avignon is our last destination.  Here we take a tour of the Pope’s Palace.  This was the home of only six Popes during the 14^th century.

Inside the palace, serene cement halls, sacristies and the grand chapelle are in sharp contrast with the ornate marble, mirrors and chandeliers of the rooms found at Versailles.  The energy of the palace has a certain peaceful majesty.  A contemporary art exhibit shares the space that was once occupied by the pope and his bishops.

 After the tour we exit onto a cobblestone street that gives way to a very large shopping district confined behind an impressive, fully intact medieval wall.  This area is considered downtown Avignon.  Today the city extends beyond the walls.

Sitting outside in a café, we hear rave style music and see rainbow flags. By chance, it is a gay pride festival complete with floats, music and a foam making machine.  We find ourselves in the center of the festivities as mostly young French people celebrate their personal choice rights in the streets of Avignon.