Things to do in Manduel

The monumental Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) served as a fortress, residence, administrative center and place of worship. Heavily fortified with its turrets, high towers and thick walls, the palace was the headquarters of the Catholic Church during the 14th century when Rome was torn by political infighting. Today the palace is one of the most visited monuments in France and is the much-loved cultural center of modern day Avignon.

Carrières de Lumières (Quarries of Lights) is a multimedia show that projects thousands of art images onto the interior of an abandoned limestone quarry. Formerly known as the Cathedral of Images, the show uses 70 video projectors to cast enormous images on the walls, ceiling and floor of the quarry. The slide show of images is synchronized with a soundtrack composed specifically for the exhibit, resulting in a mesmerizing show that leaves many visitors with goose bumps.

Pont Saint Bénézet or Pont d’Avignon as it is more commonly known, was immortalized in the nursery rhyme Sur le Pont d'Avignon (On the Bridge of Avignon). The ancient stone bridge is a condensed version of its former self. When the 12th-century structure was built it was 2, 952-feet (900-meters) long and spanned the Rhône River. Today it stops abruptly before reaching the other side, but still forms an important link back to Avignon’s early times.

Perched on a rocky hilltop, the ruins of Château des Baux define the surrounding landscape. The massive site is spread across an area more than five times larger than the modern town below. The hill offers dramatic views of the surrounding vineyards and olive groves, as well as Val d'Enfer (Valley of Hell), the rocky gorge found below Les Baux. Explore the ruins’ complex of buildings and discover ancient towers, abandoned dungeons and reconstructed battering rams, trebuchets and other medieval weapons.

Built over the foundations of a 4th-century Catholic basilica, Avignon Cathedral rose in the 12th-century, but was soon overshadowed by the extravagant Palais des Papes which grew up beside it. Not to be outdone, additions were undertaken over the centuries including the 14th-century cupola, 17th-century choir and the 19th-century gilded statue of Mary. Today, the still-working cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Avignon and the fascinating resting place of French popes.