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| gonetraveling.com "I am a part of all that I have met. Yet, all experience is an arch where through gleams that untraveled world where margin fades, forever and forever when I move." |
| villeneuve les avignon |
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| “Why did we select Villenueve les Avignon for our two-month stay in Provence?” The locals are always asking us this question. We wish we had a better answer than the truth (an Internet assisted apartment rental), but our extended visit has given us a hundred reasons why we would come back. A medieval village that has been perfectly restored (I was convinced ol’ Walt Disney had a hand in preserving this gem upon first arrival), Villeneuve was founded in the 13th century. Known as the City of Cardinals since Avignon’s papal court took up residence here, its main street (there’s only one) is lined with enormous residences and stunning buildings and commences at a typical “place” or town square. Picturesque, provincial, the town is right off a postcard. |
| 2002-2003 |
| > 11 rue de la foire > easter feasting > friends & festivals > visitors from home > villeneuve les avignon |
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| > france |
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| Within the first two weeks we had learned the schedule of all the nearby open-air markets, located our favorite butcher and sampled some of France’s freshest breads. We acted like fiends for the fresh goat cheese (and there isn’t just one type), gorged ourselves on French wines and cooked every dish we could think of that had the word French in it. Did we mention that food is the pastime here? We also discovered an incredible trail that meanders down the side of the Rhone. It quickly became our daily hike to combat the massive intake of food. Our fears of the “French attitude” were squashed the moment our new landlords opened the door. Within ten minutes of our arrival we were invited to the local wine bar for a welcome drink—we politely declined due to exhaustion—but it certainly set the tone for what we were to experience for the remainder of our stay in Villeneuve. From the local grocer to the madame of the knick-knack store, we were embraced and celebrated as the two “temporarily-permanent” tourists of their town. |
| living like locals |