June 19: Avignon

Happy Birthday to Olivia! The group serenaded her on the Pont d’Avignon as we ended our last day all together.

For our last official outing as a group, we visited the city of Avignon. Famous for its home to the French popes in the 14th century, a bridge that inspired a beloved children’s song, and beautiful medieval architecture, Avignon had no shortage of attractions and history for us to explore. We spent a pleasant day visiting the Palais de Papes, le Pont d’Avignon, and enjoying lunch with friends. The Palais de Papes was built to shelter the French Pope during the time of the Great Schism, or the Western Schism in Catholicism, in which bishops in Avignon and in Rome both simultaneously claimed to be pope. A succession of eight popes (along with all their hundreds of attendants) lived in this massive Gothic structure overlooking the Rhone River. Our students were able to go back in time to see the rooks reconstructed with the help of some excellent modern technology — a great update from the usual tour audio recording. Chasing digital treasures in each room, they were able to explore the palace both then and now.

After our tour, students had time to have lunch, visit one of the many ice cream shops, and spend time walking around and exploring.

We ended our visit at the 12th-century bridge, le Pont d’Avignon. Tradition says that the bridge was built by Saint Benoit, who cast in the first boulder to start the bridge. Every French child learns the song, “Sur le pont d’Avignon…”. Our French correspondentes (with a little encouragement) gave us a lovely rendition. After a hot day, it was good to get back on the bus.

This has been a great exchange. Our students were courageous in their willingness to speak French and learn new things. They tried different foods, got used to different dining customs, learned to use public transportation, and were warmly welcomed by their host families. Thank you for sending your children.