Avignon

Trains between Ebbsfleet and Avignon usually run around 12 times a week, but the train due to arrive at 22:07 also runs on Saturday 19th, 26th December 2009 and 2nd January 2010.

Avignon, or Altera Roma (City of the Popes) offers a variety of natural wonders which make it particularly attractive. The most famous sites are close to the town, which retains the mark of the Popes’ stay there.

It was for a while the capital of the Medieval world and is today the capital of the Vaucluse department and a prestigious cultural capital with its world-renowned Theatre Festival. There is also a good farmer’s market and wine trade in the area.

Points of Interest

	The Saint-Bénézet Bridge According to legend, a young shepherd heard a voice commanding him to build a bridge over the Rhône, and was guided by angels to Avignon where the townspeople refused to believe his story until he carried an enormous stone over to the river. Construction of the bridge was started in 1177 and completed in 1185. It is 920 metres long, 4 metres wide with 22 arches, and is called the “marvel of time” because it has threatened to collapse so often.
	Place de l’Horloge and Place Pie The nightlife areas of Avignon. There are many bars and nightclubs, as well as live music venues such as the AJMI Jazz club (Association for Impovisational Jazz Music).
	Nîmes The Nîmes Arena is the best preserved example of a Roman amphitheatre. It was built under the reign of Emperor Augustus in the 1st century A.D. An audio-guided tour is available with information in the gladiators’ section on the games. The Maison Carrée is the only completely preserved Roman temple in the world which now shows 3D films on a giant screen inside and the Magne Tower gives a stunning view over the city of Nîmes. Children are encourage to take part in the history of the Arena through the Cultural Treasure Hunt.
	Palais des Papes This Papal Residence is a key attraction for visitors interested in religion and art, but also has magnificent architecture. The Palace of the Popes was built due to the removal of the Curia from Rome to Avignon under the reign of Clement V, and has been expanded with each papal visit. Parts of the residence to view include: Facade of the Palais Nouveau Interior frescoes and sculptures The Chapelle St-Martial The former Banqueting Hall (Grand Tinel or Magnum Tinellum) The Robing Chamber, the ante-room to the Papal Bedchamber The Cloister of Benedict XII The Consistoire (Consistory) The Great Audience Chamber

Attractions

Top Attractions

Switzerland Alps

Alpes Vaudoises Alpes Vaudoises is a beautiful tourist attraction with 74 lifts and 220km of downhill pistes, it has a 6 seater chair lift and takes 2000 people each hour.... Alpes Vaudoises, Switzerland Andermatt Andermatt has two mountains the highest being 2344m with a 4 seater chair lift and the other with a height of 1842m with a 2 seater chair lift. Andermatt has an excellent selection of accommodation with a total of 19 hotels, many of the hotels have fitness facility''s, with ice skating, curling and hiking.... Andermatt, Switzerland Arosa Arosa has skiing covering 70km of marked pistes served by 16 lifts. There is a Swiss Snow Walking Event in January designed as a keep fit regime.... Arosa, Switzerland Crans-Montana Crans-Montana is a sophisticated resort, located above the Rhone Valley. There are 160km of pistes and 50 runs covering the mountain slopes.... Crans-Montana, Switzerland Davos Davos has 307km of skiing with 62 lifts including 2 mountain railways, 10 cable cars, 8 chair lifts and 31 drag lifts.... Davos, Switzerland Engelberg Engelberg has a 12km long run, it is dominated by Mount Titlis at 3200m yet has been largely un-discovered by British enthusiasts.... Engelberg, Switzerland Fiesch (Aletsch) Fiesch has a cable car and chair lifts up towards Eisenlucke at 2722m. The Aletsch ski region with 100km of downhill slopes and served by 33 lifts.... Fiesch, Switzerland Flims-Laax Flims-Laax Flaera ski resort has 220km of well kept slopes to suit every skier, 70 percent of the slopes are freshly prepared each day. There are 91 restaurants and 3 clubs.... Flims-Laax, Switzerland Grindelwald Grindelwald has 44 lifts with links to Oberjoch and Mannlichen and ample snow throughout the season.... Grindelwald, Switzerland Gstaad Gstaad has 250km of ski runs in the region, the longest being 17km and snowboarders are catered for with big quarter-pipe, big table jump, freeriding... Gstaad, Switzerland 1 2 3 Next