Let's Go Europe 2019. Harvard Student Agencies

reception open 24hr

      Right in the heart of Avignon, Pop will make your stay in Avignon convenient and pleasant. They offer clean, spacious bathrooms with individual toilets and showers, which is major key. The air-conditioned, carpeted dorms have modern bunks, each equipped with a privacy curtain, reading lamp, and two outlets. The balconies look right over the Rue de la Republique and the airtight windows do a good job of blocking out noise. Skip the €5 breakfast and instead come for the €1 wine during happy hour from 5pm-8pm in their colorful and modern bar-lounge area on the first floor. The one caveat is the strange and very dysfunctional Wi-Fi system, which involves a complicated process to get online.

       i Dorms from €24; reservation required during the Festival of Avignon in July; BGLTQ+ friendly; wheelchair accessible; Wi-Fi; towels for rent

       SIGHTS

      CULTURE

       CATHÉDRALE NOTRE-DAME DES DOMS D’AVIGNON

      Pl. du Palais; 04 90 82 12 21; www.cathedrale-avignon.fr; open summer M-Sa 7:30am-8:30pm, winter M-Sa 8am-8:30pm; mass M-Sa 7:30am-8:30am, Su 10am-11:30am

      This pristine cathedral is like a twelfth-century Plaza Hotel. Built in three successive phases and renovated again in 1838, the cathedral underwent a major restoration in 2013, bringing it to tip-top condition. After 30 months of work, the dazzling structure, also known as the Basilique Metropole, was reopened in March 2016. The steadfast efforts clearly paid off, as the Romanesque nave, Gothic chapels, and ceiling frescos are truly marvelous. Check out the Baroque balconies, covered with angels and delicately carved leaves.

       i Free; last entry 20min. before closing; wheelchair accessible

      LANDMARKS

       PALAIS DES PAPES

      Pl. du Palais; 32 74 32 74; www.palais-des-papes.com; open daily July 9am-8pm, Aug 9am-8:30pm, Sept-Oct 9am-7pm, Nov-Feb 9:30am-5:45pm, Mar 9am-6:30pm, April-Jun 9am-7pm

      Let’s be honest: Palais des Papes is most likely the reason you’re in Avignon. And yes, it’s expensive. And yes, you’ve already seen ten other Gothic buildings on your European tour. But a visit here is simply non-negotiable. Built in 1335, this colossal fortress, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the largest Gothic palace in Europe and attracts over 650,000 visitors a year. With over 25 rooms decorated in beautiful frescoes and faded wall paintings, its visuals are stunning with contemporary African art that creates a juxtaposition of eras and cultures. We recommend snagging the audio guide for €2, so you can learn about what the palace looked like in its prime and hear about its drama-filled history, soon to be adapted into the reality TV show: Nine Popes, One Palace: Who Will Survive?

       i Admission €11, students €9; combined ticket with Pont d’Avignon €13.50, students €10.50; audio guide €2; last entry 1hr before closing; wheelchair accessible

       PONT D’AVIGNON

      Pont d’Avignon, Bd. de la Ligne; 04 32 74 32 74; www.avignon-pont.com/fr; open daily July 9am-8pm, Aug 9am-8:30pm, Nov 9am-7pm, Mar 9am-6:30pm, Apr-Jun 9am-7pm

      The Pont d’Avignon, also called the Bridge of Saint-Benezet, wins the award for having the most confusing audio guide ever. As you walk on the old stones of this bridge to nowhere, listen to the legend of how a young shepherd, Benezet, received a divine order from God at age 12 to build a bridge in Avignon. The legend consists of Benezet developing superhuman strength to complete the project. When completed, the bridge stood, but the river eventually washed it away, which prompted an effort from Avignon locals to rebuild it, and the cycle continued. In all honesty, you cannot get a good view of the bridge while standing on it, but, the history lesson is interesting.

       i Admission €5, students €4, combined ticket with Palais des Papes €13.50, students €10.50; free audio guide

      MUSEUMS

       MUSÉE DU PETIT PALAIS

      Palais des Archevêques, Pl. du Palais; 04 90 86 44 58; www.petit-palais.org; open M, W-Su 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm

      This UNESCO World Heritage museum is home to one of the world’s greatest collections of medieval art. Its permanent collection includes over 300 Italian pre-Renaissance religious paintings, containing works by Botticelli, Carpaccio, and Giovanni di Paulo, as well as Gothic and Romanesque pieces from the fine arts school of Avignon. Juxtaposed against the towering Popes Palace, this small palace looks like a dollhouse, but, once you step inside, the two inner courtyards and airy main gallery give it an inexplicably majestic feel. Admire the frescoed ceiling and the ginormous sculptures and pottery (we swear we saw a sculpture taller than Michael Jordan). The highlight, however, is Botticelli’s La Vierge et L’enfant (1470).

       i Admission €6, students €3; last entry 45min. before closing; guided tours available upon request; wheelchair accessible

       FOOD

       L’AMISTA ($)

      23 Rue de la Bonneterie; 06 19 24 15 47; open daily noon-10pm

      At this small bistro in the heart of the old village, you can find traditional Catalan tapas like house favorite patatas bravas con chorizo, pan con tomate, and gambas persillades. Avignon’s location in the south of France places it close to Catalonia, giving this place a more authentic vibe. Their most exciting offering is the caissette de tapas, which is a huge selection of tapas to share (minimum two people) that is served in a wooden crate. The terrace seating, just next to an ancient archway, is lovely, but take a moment to peek inside where there are decorations in a theme of the French children’s book series “Martine.” The bathroom is covered in pages from the picture book.

       i Tapas from €3, charcuterie boards €8.50, large salads from €14, sangria €3; happy hour Th-Sa 6:30pm-8pm; vegetarian options available; wheelchair accessible

       E.A.T. ESTAMINET ARÔMES ET TENTATIONS ($$)

      8 Rue Mazan; 04 90 83 46 74; www.restaurant-eat.com; open daily noon-2pm and 7pm-10pm

      This lovely, secluded French restaurant is hidden on a tiny alleyway (follow the signs once you get to Place Crillon) and has only about a dozen tables, so you’ll be lucky if you even score a seat. Their a-la-carte menu, which changes on the regular, serves hearty and homey dishes, usually a balanced composition of a protein, grain, and some fresh, seasonal veggies. The cozy and neutral-tone interior reflects their simple, but very tasteful menu. Try the tender veal braised with rosemary or asparagus wrapped in a blanket of prosciutto, sprinkled with sliced almonds and poached cherry tomatoes.

       i Entrées from €10, dessert from €6; reservation recommended; vegetarian options available; wheelchair accessible

       LE VINTAGE ($$)

      10 Rue Galante; 04 86 65 48 54; open daily 11:30am-2:30pm and 6:30pm-10:30pm

      Le Vintage boasts quality bistronomie Provençale, serving traditional and modern French dishes of fresh and in-season produce. Serving over 60 types of regional wines, Le Vintage pairs its drinks perfectly with food of the highest quality made with only in-season fresh produce. We recommend