Since my actual "adventure" did not begin until the following day, I spent this day discovering Avignon. I enjoyed a delicous breakfast at the hotel,
including café decaffeine made in a French Keurig-type device.
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| Hôtel de l’Horloge breakfast nook |
Refreshed, I
exited the hotel and started walking down Rue
de la République to explore. There were numerous Gelato vendors, a
Monoprix, many clothing shops, more restaurants and cafes, and of
course a McDonalds! Yes, even in a small walled city in the
south of France. I also found a Carrefour grocery store later in the evening, a great place for in-room snacks. About
half way through my wanderings, I looked for a cafe for something cool to drink. There was a cute little sidewalk cafe called Café Le Régence – small, with a
few square umbrellas under some leafy trees where I sat down to a café and a good book.
While sitting there, I noticed
L'office de Tourisme across the street and decided to pay them a visit. I picked up
a few street maps and talked to a very informative agent. He recommended I go and see the street rue des Teinturiers, one of the prettiest,
most historic and fashionable spots in Avignon. Rue des Teinturiers, roughly
translated, means “The Dyers Street”.
As I walked along I came across an awesome wooden paddle wheel toward the end of the street along the Canal de Vaucluse which used to power one of the fabric mills. The water was also used to rinse the fabrics. At the height of the weaving boom, there were 23 water wheels along this canal.
According to Wikipedia, during the 15th century, textile makers set up shop along this street in Avignon when they realized the benefits of a ready water supply from the canal. At first only wool and silk were manufactured there. But, later, during the 16th and 17th centuries, they also began producing what we now know as the colorful, typically Provencal cotton textiles inspired by designs from India. These were produced exclusively in Avignon after they had been banned elsewhere in France.
As I walked along I came across an awesome wooden paddle wheel toward the end of the street along the Canal de Vaucluse which used to power one of the fabric mills. The water was also used to rinse the fabrics. At the height of the weaving boom, there were 23 water wheels along this canal.
According to Wikipedia, during the 15th century, textile makers set up shop along this street in Avignon when they realized the benefits of a ready water supply from the canal. At first only wool and silk were manufactured there. But, later, during the 16th and 17th centuries, they also began producing what we now know as the colorful, typically Provencal cotton textiles inspired by designs from India. These were produced exclusively in Avignon after they had been banned elsewhere in France.
The street itself is cobblestone and the buildings
along the way are mostly stone and brick. There were numerous art galleries,
restaurants, cafes and other small exclusive shops. A very interesting place
to visit and I was happy for the recommendation.
By now it was time for the afternoon café,
so back to La Regence for a café decaffeine and some more reading. Following that, a bit more shopping at Esprit, Zara,
H&M, and Monoprix. Then a Gelato to top off the afternoon. All that shopping and sightseeing made me very hungry. After a very pleasant afternoon, I returned to the hotel for a
quick snack, a little international CNN, and bed.
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