Across the river from Avignon

Today we traveled to Villeneuve-lez-Avignon.  Which means newtown Avignon.  It is situated across the Rhone River from the papal palace in Avignon, the one-time headquarters of the Holy Roman Empire.  The town was founded at the end of the 13th century by Philip the Fair, and he built a the fort, perched high above the river.  In the 14th century Cardinals that were unable to find "suitable" housing in Avignon built their palaces in Villeneuve-lez-Avignon.

We visited the Fort Sainte-Andre and the enclosed Jardins de l'Abbaye Sainte-Andre.  The day was windy, but clear, and the jardin afforded us great views of the papal palance across the river.

We also made a brief stop at the Tour Philippe le Bel.

La Tour Philippe le Bel

The tower from the fort

The front gates of Fort Saint-Andre

Inside the fort

Bori and the front wall of the fort

Just inside the jardin

A small church in the jardin

A pergola of roses in the jardin

The papal palace