AVIGNON
Close to the Luberon and Alpilles mountain range and Camargue, Avignon is the ideal destination for exploring the Provence. 2h40 from Paris by TGV, Avignon is connected to England by Eurostar straight from London in summer, or by low cost flights departing from Southampton, Leeds and Exeter from May to September. Other departures are possible from many other cities, arriving Nîmes or Marseille, 2 nearby cities.

The city's cultural and historical heritage is quite exceptional: chapels, churches, city walls inherited from the 14th century when Avignon was appointed capital of Christianity. The town highlights were both registered as UNESCO World Heritage in 1995.

First of all, the popes' palace, an amazing gothic urban mansion built for the popes in the 14th century; and, the bridge of Avignon, famous all over the world thanks to its song. Art lovers will find the city museums and their various collections also very appealing.
You will appreciate Avignon's charm and "art de vivre" and you will enjoy strolling along the old picturesque streets, discovering its elegant private mansions, shopping in fancy boutiques, hunting for antiques.

The covered market (les halles) will give you a nice taste of what Provence is all about: local products, gastronomic provençale cuisine, the Rhône Valley wines. How about having a seat at our sunny terraces? A moment you will surely remember. During the summer you will experience the peculiar and intense rhythm of the theater festival. At this time of year, Avignon is turned into a huge stage.
Avignon is a busy place having among other interests, the horse show (Cheval Passion) in January, the dance festival in February, the rose exhibit (Altera Rosa) in May, the internationally famous theater festival in summer and so many other events, tours, exhibitions and this, all year round.
In spring 2009, the town is about to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the arrival of the popes: conferences and exhibitions debating the subject will be held throughout the year.

700th anniversary of the arrival of the Popes in Avignon
2009 – March 1 to November 30
In 2009, the city of Avignon celebrates the 700th anniversary of the arrival of the Popes in Avignon : special events, performances, conferences and exhibitions starting in March, programme will be
available on www,avignon,fr or www,avignon-tourisme,com in February.
www.avignon-tourisme.com/

Altera Rosa
2009 - May 21 to 24
5th Rose meeting at the Palace of the Popes. During four days Avignon celebrates the beauty of the rose. Through the Ascension holyday week-end, the greatest rose growers display their roses and introduce some thirty heretofore unseen roses in the prestigious setting of the Palace of The Popes. Events, conferences, workshops, floral art and pruning demonstrations provide precious information on the beloved flower.
www.alterarosa.com or www.avignon-tourisme.com


SPECIAL OFFERS

Discovering Avignon
All year round
2 days / 1night in the Avignon city centre
From 110 per person/night

The price includes: one night in double room with breakfast in the hotel Mercure + 1 entrance for the palace of the popes + 1 entrance for the bridge with audioguide + 1 wine tasting with 3 different types of Côtes du Rhone wines at la "bouteillerie" in the Palace of the popes (transport not included).
Discover the Provençal city of Avignon, The Palace of the Popes, the famous bridge of the song, the old medieval city, and the famous Côtes du Rhone wines. Enjoy a break in Provence and many events in the city all along the year in a comfortable hotel right in the historical city.

Courtine Voyages, Galerie marchande Carrefour- tél+33(0)4 90 14 08 56
michele.courtine@afatvoyages.fr

2h40 by TGV from Paris, direct Eurostar on Summer, directs low costs from Leedsn Exeter, Southampton from May to October,

Cooking lesson and Provençal cuisine in Avignon
All year round except July Tuesdays and Wednesdays only - 2 days/1 night - From 270 euros per person
The package includes 1 cooking lesson with visit of the Provençal market "les Halles" and lesson at la Mirande in an old 19 C, kitchen with the chef + dinner with the French chef and guests at la table d'hôtes of the hotel + 1 night in a double room with breakfast in hotel Mercure*** + 1 ticket to visit the palace of the popes and the Bridge of Avignon + 1 wine tasting of 3 different wines of the Côtes du Rhône at the Bouteillerie of the Palace of the popes

Courtine voyages Galerie marchande Carrefour, tél +33(0)4 90 14 08 56
michelecourtine@afatvoyagesfr

2h40 by TGV from Paris, direct Eurostar on Summer, directs low costs from Leeds, Exeter, Southampton from May to October, 1 hour by car from international airport Marseilles Provence,

Transport Partner
Eurostar

Eurostar can take you to Avignon throughout the year. From 11 July to 12 September our direct services will take you to Provence in less than 6 hours, while for the rest of the year you can take indirect services with a change either in Lille or Paris
For more information, visit eurostar.com