Avignon - cruising the Rhone

Woke up to a sunny Saturday morning in Beaune. Off for a café au lait - Peter noticed a distinguished looking man sitting at the table next to us wearing RM Williams trousers. They both went to pay and Paul, a vignernon from Victoria, had been billed for our coffees and generously paid for them. It was nice to meet a nice Auzzie in France (who had just bought a property in Beaune).

Before heading off to Avignon, Peter bought a small packet of cigars and I bought a lovely knives & fork.

Drive to Avignon was faaast - speed limit was 130 km/hr & our little Peugot handled the job. We stopped off at Vienne and took a little detour on a minor road to get an appreciation of the Rhone & surrounds:

Vineyard outside Vienne

A7 - zooming towards Avignon

We found our apartment through HouseTrip website and we are delighted with the result. It is very central, separate kitchen, dining room, bedroom, bathroom. Although our host, Marie, had very little English, she made up with that in her generosity in showing us through the apartment, then took us on a half hour tour of the city. It was above and beyond.

Dinner was at a little Vietnamese restaurant around the corner from the apartment and, although had a slight Chinese slant (oops), was delicious.

Sunday morning we wandered around Avignon (for 12 mins - we had slept in - AGAIN!!) and  booked a half day lunch cruise on the Rhone . What a way to spend a Sunday afternoon!  Included was a delicious four course lunch. Bottle of red wasn't bad either!


Only the beginning...



A fellow diner!!

Enjoying a cigar

1300's bridge - first one over the Rhone at Avignon

Palace of the Popes

We travelled north up the Rhone including having our vessel raised through a lock - raising us approx. 15 metres to the next level.  Photos below indicate water level when we entered and exited:


Water level when we entered

Water level when we exited



Gates of the wall that surrounds city (where are Ringo, George & John?)