Friday 30th November 2007

The campsite is located on a large island, the Ile de la Barthelasse, in the middle of the Rhone. The Pont d'Avignon used to connect Avignon with the far bank of the Rhone via the Ile de la Barthelasse, thus reducing the length of bridge required. Only part of the bridge still stands, starting at the Avignon bank and finishing part way to the Ile. However, a defensive tower, the Tour de Phillipe le Bel (Phillip the Fair), built at the turn of the 14th century, is still extant on the right bank of the Rhone where the bridge use to terminate. We decided to walk to the tower from the campsite and were lucky to find it open as it is only open until the end of November i.e. today. From the top of the tower, there is a very good view of the Rhone, Avignon and Villeneuve lez Avignon. It was a windy day and at the top of the tower it was very windy although, given that they close the tower in high winds, it must get extremely windy when the Mistral is blowing. The tower, built by the French had a chequered past, promoting disputes with Papal controlled Avignon and its people who believed that they had exclusive rights to the bridge. This led to ambitious plans for a larger complex being dropped in order to avoid a clash with their very powerful neighbour.
We then went on to the village of Villeneuve lez Avignon and visited the largest Carthusian monastery in France – La Chartreuse du Val de Benediction. It was built in the 1350's for 12 monks but over the years was extended and the number of monks increased. After the French Revolution it was split up into parts and sold. From 1909, restoration was started and little by little the parts were bought back. The building is now very well restored and gives a glimpse into life of a monk in the 14th century.
Our ticket also covered entry to the fort above the monastery – Fort Saint-Andre. A very impressive fort built in 1291, it protected France's border with the Papal lands. The walls are complete but very little of the interior has survived. Its walls however still surround the Saint Andre Abbey with its 10th century church.
A pleasant walk took us back to campsite and the late sun giving a golden glow to the fort and the tower.
Photos: Tower of Phillipe le Bel; Fort St. Andre; Entrance to monk's cell; Inside monk's cell; Three photographs around the cloisters.