Shared Illusions

I wrote that Avignon was grand. Partly due to the fact that we spent the day inside the ancient walled city where it is much quieter. Further, visiting the Palais des Papes was quieter yet within those massive stone walls. It took me back in history, while curiously also being completely in the present due to the use of a tablet for info and touring. Both impressive pieces of work of entirely different scales and nature.

Listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, the Popes’ Palace is one of the 10 most visited monuments in France with 650,000 visitors per year. A true symbol of the influence of Western Christianity in the 14th century, this 15,000m2 masterpiece of a monument is the largest medieval fortress and biggest gothic palace of Europe.

National Geographic: Built in less then 20 years starting in 1335, the Popes’ Palace is the amalgamation of two palaces built by two popes: Benedict XII, who built the Old Palace to the east and north, and his successor Clement VI who built the New Palace to the south and west.

I read somewhere that it takes an hour to go through the 25 rooms. We were there at least two hours and it passed by so quickly. I came outside and felt disoriented.

There was also a temporary exhibition by artist Eva Jospin. Phe-nom-i-nol.

There were several sculpted cardboard installations throughout, each stunning. I can’t even imagine how someone can conceive of such a thing, never mind being able to bring it to fruition.

Then, of course, we had to go Sur le pont, d’Avignon, and dance there, tous en ronde.

I’m heading across the street now to watch the locals play patanque. Known sometimes as boules and in Italian as bocci. The clicking of the balls is calling me.