Avignon, the Pope's Palace & Les Baux

Discover the tumultuous history of arresting Avignon, seat of the papacy for much of the 14th century, and the lovely village of Les Baux de Provence on this marvelous guided tour. As you drive into Avignon, you’ll admire its picturesque setting along a bend of the Rhône River and learn of the fascinating historic-political turmoil that drove Clement V to move the papacy here from Rome in 1309. Contemplate the magnificent Palace of the Popes, constructed primarily during the papacies of Benedict XII and Clement VI and at the time one of the world’s largest buildings. During your visit of this imposing fortified residence, wander through sumptuously decorated chambers, serene chapels and beguiling passages.

In Avignon’s lovely Old Town, enjoy a walking tour through an enthralling maze of cobbled lanes and shaded squares. Rejoin your coach for a journey into the craggy Massif des Alpilles, where you’ll light upon the medieval hamlet of Les Baux de Provence perched like an eagle’s nest 800 feet above the valley floor. Meander through a remarkably preserved jumble of stone houses clinging to the hillside, the crumbling ruins of a once-mighty castle providing a perfect snapshot of Provence’s astonishing feudal age.

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.