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Day 4: June 12, 2025
Au revoir Paris!
After a hearty breakfast, our lovely driver Ricardo came pick us up and took us to the Gare de Lyon station. The train experience was new to many in our group, and exciting! You will not see many double-decked trains elsewhere. The fastest train in Europe then took us from Paris to Avignon in less than 3 hours, quite an exploit! While on board, most of our students used the time to doze off and recover some energy, it was very much needed.
First thing upon arrival in Avignon, we met our driver for the next 3 days: Roberto. He took us to a place near the Avignon bridge, from where we started our Avignon tour by going through the amazingly well preserved medieval wall. In the heart of town, we all wowed at the colossal size and imposing presence of the Popes Palace. Here the group learnt about the Western Schism in Catholic Church and how at some point Avignon was the seat of the Pope.
After free time and lunch in the nice Avignon terraces, we headed to Arles, where we also had the chance to go for a walk before heading to the hotel. In downtown Arles, we meet the first "Arènes" or Roman Arena, which served as an appetizer to the full guided visit to the Roman Arena of the following day in Nimes. We have very nice family pictures by the Arena!
Last thing in Arles, we caught a glimpse at the Café la Nuit, one of the many spots in Arles that inspired Van Gogh's paintings. Following the footseps of the great master.