DAY 23 25 June Châteauneuf-du-Pape-Avignon

Today we sampled the celebrated wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape at a Côtes du Rhône vineyard. Apparently this village has one bakery and 200 wineries. This was for us an ordinary experience, but we did learn the secrets to wine tasting, but holding the glass almost horizontally was just an accident waiting to happen. 

On top of the hill were the remnants of a castle commissioned by Pope John XXII, but it was eventually abandoned by the Popes, and was moreover, too expensive to be maintained by the Archbishop of Avignon. Consequently it was largely sold off and demolished, only the castle keep remaining, and only half of that after the Germans tried to demolish it. 

On our cruise southwards.

We arrived this afternoon into Avignon and our walking tour included the city’s architectural jewel, the Popes’ Palace. It was a very hot day, however the temperature inside the palace was quite bearable. 

 Part of the walled city of Avignon.

The Pope's Palace.

 This is where we are going to have dinner tonight,

It was very interesting.