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Avignon

Although successive tribes settled in and took control of Avignon, the town was generally seen as insignificant until the early 14th century. At this time, the city became home to the first of seven successive popes, based here to avoid factional fighting in Rome. In a bid to rival Rome's Papacy, Avignon's architects designed many of the city's magnificent surviving features, including the grand city fortifications and the marvellous Palace of the Popes - one of the most important Medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. Throughout the entire era, Avignon developed into a thriving centre of culture; the celebrated Avignon School of painting derived from Italian artists sent for by the popes, and Avignon's University was established in the 1330s.

3 results matching: Escorted Rail Tours to Avignon

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Avignon, the Rhône & Provence
Small Group
4.2 stars(75 reviews)
2023AugSepOct
2024MayJunAugSepOct
7 days from
£1,595 pp
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7 days from
£1,595
per person
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  • DestinationFrance
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Premium Rhône Cruise
River Cruise
4.6 stars(30 reviews)
2023JulAug
2024JunJulAug
8 days from
£2,395 pp
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8 days from
£2,395
per person
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tour map
  • DestinationFrance
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
Premium Rhône Cruise
Fly Option
2023JulAug
2024JunJulAug
8 days from
£2,795 pp
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8 days from
£2,795
per person
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tour map
  • DestinationFrance
  • Starts / EndsLTN Luton, London Heathrow
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportFlight, Cruise
Map and accommodation
Our customers love our Avignon tours
Avignon, the Rhône and Provence
26/May
Anne
5 stars
“A lovely holiday. Not too tiring as we were based in Avignon. Hotel Le Tour l'Horloge was excellent. Excursions well organised and guide at Palais des Papes particularly good. Poorest day was 3 hrs at Isle sur le Sorgues. Shops in France shut for 2 hours at lunchtime and there was little to do. Trains very comfortable and not too much time spent hanging around stations.
Collected by Trustpilot
Provence and The Elegant Rhône
15 Sep 2022
David
5 stars
“Excellent. Trips out were good & the meals & service were equally good.
Collected by Trustpilot

Sur le pont d'Avignon

After the Papacy was restored to Rome, Avignon lost some of its power, but remained an important seat for the Catholic Church. Incredibly, the city was held by the Papacy until 1791 - more than 370 years after the last pope resided there. Avignon then became part of France, and soon became one of its most popular tourist attractions. Along with the beautiful palace and fantastically preserved houses, Avignon is also known for the Pont St Bénezet, its famous broken bridge. All but four of its 22 arches were decisively washed away in a particularly devastating flood in 1668 - today, the surviving arches have become an iconic symbol of the city.

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