(10:00AM EST – promoted by Nightprowlkitty)
Carpentras dates at least to Roman times.
Its 14th Century synagogue is the oldest in France that is still used for services.
Capital of the Comtat Venaissan, Carpentras was controlled by the Avignon papacy, and was home to some of the Avignon popes. The Cathédrale Saint-Siffrein de Carpentras was built in the 15th and 16th Centuries, after the papacy had returned to Rome.
A modern alley.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
This small ruin is all that remains of the palace, built by Pope John XXII, in the early 14th Century.
The tiny medieval town is just below the ruin, and sells the region’s famous wines.
The palace was destroyed during the 16th Century Wars of Religion.
The 14th Century Avignon popes did much to spread the reknown of the local wines.
Les Baux-de-Provence
Les Baux is a tiny medieval village, dramatically situated on a rocky hilltop.
On a plateau at the top of the hill is the 10th Century fortified Château des Baux. Its powerful feudal lords once ruled a wide region of Provence, and held a lavish court, but they were deposed in the 12th Century. The chateau reached its zenith under the rule of 15th Century barons. A center of Protestant revolt, it was demolished in 1633, by order of Cardinal Richelieu. It is now controlled by the Grimaldi family, rulers of Monaco.
12 comments
Skip to comment form
Author
for a relative who will soon take a trip there.
Avignon
In The Footsteps Of Cezanne (Aix-en-Provence)
Van Gogh’s Ear (Arles & St-Remy)
has chosen a very beautiful region of France to explore, not only for it’s beauty and history but it’s wines and cuisine.
love France, and wish I’d had the opportunity to see more of it.
Aside from Paris, I’ve only been to Perigord, but the first night (I think it was the town of Perigaux) we got a bit lost walking from the restaurant to our logi, and turned a corner to see a magnificent Roman ruin lit by floodlights.
Absolutely magical.
We did a driving tour of Provence in ’07, and bought several bottles of excellent local wine at the co-op wine shop in town. Then we walked around the corner to a restau (Mamas? Nanas? Mimis?) where we had one of the best lunches we’ve ever had. Thanks for your pix, they take me back.
Aix, on the other hand, was an abomination.
I haven’t but I’ve been close. France is a very beautiful place though…
I am dying to go to france but Mr.UCC is less enthused. He wants to go to Italy to visit a Motoguzzi factory.He was rather miffed when I told him one could visit for other reasons but he likes wine so I might try that angle.
Rhone wines are among my fav. Is that south?
I’m enjoying this “trip” so much! Thanks for allowing me to come along! 😉
I have yet to see the south of France and the Provences — but it is a goal.
I am glad you were able to do such a trip and “bring” us with you!