Village Life 10 Minutes from Avignon

Just across the Rhone, the little village of Villeneuve-Lès-Avignon is a great destination for those looking for a quick escape from Avignon’s tourist crowd or a place to let the kids run around. Easily accessible by bus (#11) or bike, Villeneuve is full of smaller museums, walking paths, and great views of the Palace of the Popes.

Start at Tour Philippe Le Bel, a fourteenth century tower which is so under-visited, you’re likely to have the place to yourself on a weekday. It’s a steep climb to the top, but you can go at you own pace, stopping off for a breather in the stone tower’s cool quiet rooms. Once you’ve reached the top, photo-ops abound, with spectacular views of Avignon, the Rhone, Mont Ventoux, the Alpille Mountains, and the lush greens of neighboring Chateauneuf du Pape.

Pick up an Avignon Passion pass at the Office de Tourisme for reduced entry.

Keep your camera out during the walk along the main road from Tour Philippe Le Bel. The old stone walls leading into the village are idyllic, especially in late spring when ivy and honeysuckle trickle down from hidden gardens. Halfway into town, you’ll walk past a wrought iron gate with a modest sign marked “La Colline des Morgues.” It looks very private, perhaps the entrance to an elementary school or a cemetery, but don’t worry, it’s a beautiful park with winding trails leading to a hilltop view of the region and your first peek into the village of Villeneuve itself. Just be sure to leave the same way you came, or you might wind up further from the village than you started.

When you’re ready for a break, head into the village and grab a coffee at one of the cafes at Place Jean Jaurès before heading over to former monastery and papal residence, Chartreuse du Val de Benediction, the largest Carthusian monastery in France.

As published at PlanetEye