Avignon

Went up to Avignon yesterday, sorry I can't give you pictures because my camera battery died...... But anyways, it is a very nice place, very touristy. There is a lot of construction going on though. I visited the Papal Palace, which was home to the Popes from 1309 to 1377 and then home to two antipopes a little later on. It i really cool, very large with lots of neat chambers. The architecture is quite medieval with some intricate carving. Unfortunately a lot of the carvings were vandalised during the French Revolution and when the building was used as an army barracks in the 19th century, but much has been restored. The view was magnificent from the towers to say the least and to be able too visit a place of such importance is un-paralleled, especially for a History nerd like me! Also saw the Bridge mentioned in the childrens song, it is cool to see a 12th century bridge, but if it wasn't that old it would not be that impressive because most of it is gone and it stops halfway across the Rhone!!! I also got to walk along some of the old fortifications, which was cool. In terms of French Architecture, they must have lost their skills in the 1980's because all of their TGV stations built since then are hideously cavernous and ugly, all glass, steel, and cement. But at least they are built outside of the towns, although that probably hs to do with how loud TGV's are from the outside (but nice and quite inside). Ta ta for now from Provence, I will be heading to Nice Tomorrow.