Avignon is a French town in south-eastern France.  About 12,000 people out of the total population of 90,000 live in the ancient town centre enclosed by its medieval walls.   Avignon is situated on the  left bank of the Rhone river, about 580 km from Paris (360 mi).  There is also a beautiful bridge - the Pont d'Avignon.  We spent an evening doing some night photography of the town and river but unfortunately, I seem to have misplaced those photos.  Oh well- an excuse to go back there someday.  

20140626_France_0003 Between 1309 and 1377 during the Avignon Papacy, seven successive popes resided in Avignon.  In 1348, Pope Clement VI bought  the town from Joanna I of Naples.  Papal control lasted until 1791 when the town became part of France during the French Revolution.  The town is now one of the few French cities to have preserved its old ramparts (medieval walls).

20140626_France_0004 The historic centre, which includes the Palais des Papes, the cathedral and the Pont D'Avignon, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.  

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I spent the morning walking around the old town.

20140626_France_0005 There were many narrow and winding streets in this old section of town.

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Speaking of narrow streets, I would not want to be driving here.

20140626_France_0011 Maybe this is the better way to go.

20140626_France_0012 However, this mode of transportation would probably work best for me!  Avignon has 110 km (68 mi) of bike paths.

20140626_France_0002 This was definitely a tourist town with many shops catering to visitors.  Four million visitors visit the city every year.  In this shop we were in all of the displays were beautifully laid out.

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If I had any room in my luggage I would have brought some bottles home.

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20140626_France_0017 Everywhere I looked I saw such cute dogs that reminded me of Maggie and Katie.

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20140626_France_0021 In the evening we drove to Marseilles for our farewell dinner as the tour was over the following day.  We ate at a fabulous outdoor  restaurant in Pharo Park, overlooking the old harbour.   I was actually able to set up my tripod beside where I was sitting at the table and take as many pictures as I liked as the light changed.  I should add that the food was fabulous so thank you to Michael, Sabrina and Roman for choosing such an excellent spot.  Marseilles is the second largest city in France with a population of approximately 850,000 as of 2011.  Historically, this city was the most important trade centre in the region and functioned as the main trade port of the French Empire.  

20140626_France_0022 We really did not spend much time in Marseilles which is considered to be a rather dangerous city in some parts with many pick pocketers(although Paris also has its share).    However, the drive into the city did give us a chance to see some of the sites.  During the Second World War, Marseille was bombed by German and Italian forces in 1940.  Then the city was occupied by the Germans from November 1942 until August 1944.  On January 22, over 4,000 Jews were seized in Marseille as part of "Action Tiger".  They were held in concentration camps before being deported to Poland.  The Old Port was bombed in 1944 by the Allies to prepare for the liberation of France which occurred on August 29th, 1944.  After the war, much of the city was rebuilt during the 1950s.  The governments of East Germany, West Germany and Italy paid massive reparations plus compound interest to compensate civilians killed, injured or left homeless as a result of the war.  

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20140626_France_0023 The Phare de Sainte Marie lighthouse.  The lighthouse was  built of natural-finished local limestone  and  was completed in 1855 at a height of 70 feet.  The lighthouse in now inactive.  This lighthouse was featured as a destination  for teams to find on the fourth season of the reality TV show, The Amazing Race.  

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By now we were just finishing up dinner and it was getting late.  We were told that the park closed around 11 PM but I managed to take a few more photos before we left. 

20140626_France_0001 On the way out of the park I took a photograph of this dazzling building.  I found out that it is Marseille's new museum called the Museum of  the Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean (MuCEM). The cost of this project was 191 million euros.

20140626_France_0027 Napoleion III ordered the construction of The Palais du Pharo  in the second half of the nineteenth century.  It now belongs to the city of Marseille and is used for conferences and events.  The building has also been used as a hospital.

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As we were leaving there was a light show in the area so we stayed for a few minutes to watch- it was well worth it.