We bid Paris adieu this morning. We checked out of our hotel and began our adventure to the south of France. We boarded our bus to the train station to catch the TGV.
Paris-Gare de Lyon (or Gare de Lyon) is one of the six large mainline railway station termini in Paris, France. It handles about 90,000,000 passengers every year, making it the third busiest station of France and one of the busiest of Europe. It is the northern terminus of the Paris–Marseille railway. It is named after the city of Lyon, a stop for many long-distance trains departing here, most en route to the south of France. The station is located in the XIIe arrondissement, on the north bank of the river Seine, in the east of Paris.
The station is served by high-speed TGV trains to south and eastern France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Spain. The station also hosts regional trains and the RER and also by the Gare de Lyon metro station.
The station was built for the World Exposition of 1900. On multiple levels, it is considered a classic example of the architecture of its time. Most notable is the large clock tower atop one corner of the station, similar in style to the clock tower of the United Kingdom Houses of Parliament, home to Big Ben.
The station houses the Le Train Bleu restaurant, which has served drinks and meals to travellers and other guests since 1901 in an ornately-decorated setting.
On 27 June 1988, a runaway train crashed into a stationary rush-hour train, killing 56 people and injuring a further 55.
The station was featured in the comedy film Mr. Bean's Holiday, starring Rowan Atkinson.
We took turns watching our luggage until it was time to board the train.
The trains are amazing.
The average speed is 173 miles per hour. They really cook along those rails. I hope we get them in the USA one day. It is a very comfortable way to travel.
Countryside, whizzing by..
After a 2 hour and 40 minute TGV ride, we traveled 435 miles. We took a short bus ride to Avignon.
Avignon
Our driver, GIL. He did an outstanding bit of driving!
After the train and bus travel, the youngsters were invited to a bit of dancing to French songs.
The Palais des Papes (English: Papal palace, lo Palais dei Papas in Occitan) is a historical palace in Avignon, in southern France. It is one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. One time fortress and palace, the papal residence was the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century. Six papal conclaves were held in the Palais, leading to the elections of Benedict XII in 1334, Clement VI in 1342, Innocent VI in 1352, Urban V in 1362, Gregory XI in 1370 and Antipope Benedict XIII in 1394.
Tony, Mario, Hikari
Jahel, Woof, Kayleigh.
The Grand Chapel, where Avignon Popes worshiped.
Fraternity..
We had lunch in Avignon, to include escargot, and fish. A quick trip to the hotel, then back to Avignon for dinner. We spied this illuminated church on the way back to the bus.
Day four was interesting. We experienced a shift in weather, lighting and attitude. It seemed more laid back than Paris. Joseph and the other students played ping pong until the wee hours of the night at the hotel. I was pleasantly tired enough to get a good night's rest. Day five follows...
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