Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Waterwheel:
Standing here, imagine the Sorgue River—which hits the mighty
Rhône in Avignon—being broken into several canals in order to turn 23 such wheels. In
about 1800, waterwheels powered the town's industries. The little cogwheel above the big
one could be shoved into place, kicking another machine into gear behind the wall.
• To return to the real world, double back on Rue des Teinturiers and turn left on Rue des
Lices, which traces the first medieval wall.
(Lice
is the no-man's-land along a protective
wall.) After a long block you'll pass a striking four-story building that was a home for the
poor in the 1600s, an army barracks in the 1800s, a fine-arts school in the 1900s, and is
a deluxe condominium today (much of this neighborhood is going high-class residential).
Eventually you'll return to Rue de la République, Avignon's main drag.
MostofAvignon'stopsightsarecoveredearlierbymyself-guidedwalks.Withmoretime,
consider these options.
Fondation Angladon-Dubrujeaud
Visiting this museum is like being invited into the elegant home of a rich and passionate
art collector. It mixes a small but enjoyable collection of art from Post-Impressionists to
Cubists (including Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Honoré Daumier, Edgar Degas, and
Pablo Picasso), with re-created art studios and furnishings from many periods. It's a quiet
place with a few superb paintings.
Cost and Hours:
€6,Tue-Sun13:00-18:00,closedMon,5RueLaboureur,tel.0490
82 29 03,
www.angladon.com
.
Calvet Museum (Musée Calvet)
This fine-arts museum impressively displays its collection, highlighting French Baroque
works. This museum goes ignored by most, but you'll find a few diamonds in the rough
upstairs:Géricault,Soutine,andonepaintingeachfromManet,Sisley,Bonnard,Dufy,and
Vlamnick.
Cost and Hours:
€6, includes audioguide, Wed-Mon 10:00-13:00 & 14:00-18:00,
closed Tue, in the quieter western half of town at 65 Rue Joseph Vernet, antiquities collec-
tion a few blocks away at 27 Rue de la République—same hours and ticket, tel. 04 90 86
33 84,
www.musee-calvet.org
.
