Sept 14, 2023 - Onwards to Avignon, Monaco, and the French Riviera

In the morning we drove to Avignon at the heart of Provence. We saw the Palais des Papes (Papal Palace) and the bridge made famous by the song - Sur le Pont d’Avignon. The tour director gave us free time to wander by ourselves for a couple of hours. Most of our group went to the shopping street, but we went to Papal Palace directly and wandered in the Jardin du Rocher des Doms. From there we had a beautiful view of the Pont Saint-Bénézet, also known as the Pont d’Avignon (a medieval bridge across the Rhône in the town of Avignon). Only four arches survive. When we were there, it just happened a river cruiser passed by and formed a wonderful Kodak moment.

Then we drove all the way past Nice and to Monaco City. On our way to dinner in Monaco City, we passed by Saint-Martin Gardens, Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate (the Monaco Cathedral) where Grace Kelly married Rainier III, Prince of Monaco.  We all went in the cathedral and viewed the famous place in memory of Grace Kelly. We also walked by the Place du Palais and had an outdoor 3 courses meal dinner at I’ Express.