The Palais des Papes, Avignon

Can you believe this bridge was once almost a kilometer long? And that was 800 years ago!

loves audioguides.

We were lucky the rain that followed us along the French Riviera held off when we reached Avignon, giving us a few hours of daylight to see the Palais des Papes. It's a pretty incredible castle, and well worth a wander, even if you aren't a museum/palace person. The tickets are a bit pricey, but at €13 each they also include entrance to the Pont Saint-Benezet or Pont d'Avignon, where a friend recommended we sing this song (we weren't brave enough to do it!)

Tickets also includes a very helpful audio guide, and the museum displays and curation of the palace are impeccably done. You can also climb to the very top of the castle, and enjoy a 360 degree view of the city.

And the vaulting! Oh the vaulting. My art history senses were a-tingling.

- Jess 

BY THE NUMBERS

weather: cloudy, windy

admission: €13/ticket (includes audioguide and bridge admission)

parking: under the palais des papes for €8/6 hours