Avignon – Roses at AlteraRosa

Think ahead to warm (or even hot) Spring days in Provence – add the magnificent Pope’s Palace (Palais de Papes) and Roses in Avignon a stunning exhibition of roses – sounds very enticing for the bi-annual celebration of the beautiful Rose. AlteraRosa is held in May in every other year – next is 19-21 May 2018 see http://www.avignon-tourisme.com/

For 4 days the Cloister of St Benedict in the Palais de Papes is bedecked with hundreds of varieties of roses, including some new strains – making the whole place a riot of colour and perfume. There is a competition for the best rose and the opportunity to buy or just enjoy.

However implausible it may seem even southern Provence has had snow this winter – so its not just the northern climes which have suffered – see www.avignon-tourisme.com for pictures of Avignon in the snow!!

Avignon is always worth visiting any time of year – a great combination of lively modern city, medieval walled town and Palace, the famous truncated Pont d’Avignon Bridge across the Rhone (real name Pont St Benazit) – surrounded by superb Provençal countryside (St Remy de Provence with its market and Van Gogh connections is only a short distance away- plus plenty of great wines and local produce to enjoy.

For more info on Altera Rosa see www.alterarosa.com

For more info on Avignon see www.avignon-tourisme.com

B&Bs. self-catering apartments, hotels in Avignon such as the B&B Villa de Margot, just 300 metres from the Pont d’Avignon, and a 6-minute walk from Avignon’s historic centre, Palais des Papes etc

by train to Avignon

see our Top 30 vineyard B&Bs in France

find cheap flights and plane tickets from Booking.com

somewhere to stay, a ferry, a train or car hire?

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