Escape to Avignon: Medieval Majesty Awaits at Le Palais des Papes!
Escape to Avignon: Le Palais des Papes - Medieval Majesty…and Maybe a Touch of Mild Chaos? (A Review From Yours Truly)
Okay, so, let's get this straight: I'm not usually one for medieval vibes. Give me a sleek, modern hotel any day. But Le Palais des Papes in Avignon? It's… well, it's an experience. And honestly, after a week there, I'm still processing it. This isn't just a hotel; it's a plunge into the papacy, a history lesson wrapped in luxurious (and sometimes, a little too opulent) packaging.
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- Meta Description: A chaotic and honest review of Le Palais des Papes in Avignon! Exploring accessibility, dining, spa, history, and the delightful (and sometimes exasperating) quirks of this medieval-themed hotel. Get the real scoop!
The Arrival - A Glorious, Confusing Mess
First impressions? The building itself is stunning. Seriously. You're basically IN the Palais des Papes, which is immediately awe-inspiring. Check-in? A bit of a cluster. Apparently, "Contactless check-in/out" means the staff are trying to be efficient, but it sometimes translates to a slightly frantic juggling act. Plus, I had no idea which elevator was accessible (more on that later). The "doorman" (a very charming gentleman) was frantically trying to juggle my luggage and direct other guests to the correct 'castle wing'. They really should get more of them, especially given that this place has Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Exterior corridor - all in one place!
Accessibility - A Mixed Bag, Honestly.
Okay, let's be real, this is where things get interesting, meaning kinda complicated. Wheelchair Accessible? Well, yes and no. The main areas are generally okay, but navigating the various levels and wings can be a headache. Some of the elevators are frankly a bit medieval – aka, small. Some pathways might not be wide enough. If you're using a wheelchair, I strongly recommend contacting the hotel in advance to confirm specific accessibility features in the room you book. Accessibility: It's there, but it's integrated with the building's historic structure, which is always a challenge.
The Room - Opulence, and a Little Bit of Awkwardness
My non smoking room was, simply put, massive. Air conditioning, thankfully, blasted out cold air, because Avignon gets hot. Extra long bed? Check. Bathtub? Luxurious. Bathrobes and slippers? A fluffy delight. The view…well, it showed more of the Exterior corridor so I only saw the building which got old fast, but there was, nonetheless, a window that opens.
However, it was also a bit…over-the-top. The decor felt like a medieval king’s bedroom, but the king had very modern tastes. And the internet access – wireless was spotty at best, and there was an Internet access – LAN for those on old school computers, which was fun to use. And for the record, I always need a good Hair dryer and thankfully I had one!
Wi-Fi, Internet & Staying Connected – A Frustrating Tango
So, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Great, right? Nope. Internet was like a moody teenager: present, but barely functional sometimes. The Internet [LAN] was a good option for your old desktop, but now what? The Internet services, and Wi-Fi in public areas weren't much better. Expect occasional dropouts and frustration. Honestly, the hotel needs to invest in some seriously beefed-up Wi-Fi.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Mostly Wonderful, With One Big Caveat
The Restaurants were a highlight! The A la carte in restaurant experience was top-notch, with delicious International cuisine in restaurant. I loved the Desserts in restaurant, which was delicious! The Poolside bar was perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail, and the Happy hour made me very, very happy. But oh boy, the Breakfast [buffet]…
The breakfast was a spectacle. Buffet in restaurant was overflowing with choices, from Asian breakfast to Western breakfast. But here's the big caveat - the breakfast service was so overly busy and the staff looked overworked, hence, the Breakfast service was somewhat hectic. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was often cold and uninspired.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - A Roman Holiday (Maybe)
The Swimming pool [outdoor] was gorgeous, with that classic Pool with view. Lounging by it was bliss. I didn't get to try the Gym/fitness center, but I did (and loved) the Spa. The Spa/sauna was the best and perfect. The Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Sauna, Steamroom – all top-tier pampering.
Cleanliness and Safety - The Sanitization Mania!
Safety seemed to be a major focus. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. Honestly, felt like they were prepping for a zombie apocalypse. And that’s not a bad thing, especially after COVID!
Services and Conveniences - Some Highs, Some Lows
Concierge was helpful and always willing to assist. Daily housekeeping was immaculate. Cash withdrawal at the hotel was a lifesaver. But… Food delivery was limited. Meeting/banquet facilities? Yes, they have those, but I didn’t attend any meetings. Gift/souvenir shop? Small and overpriced.
For the Kids - Maybe, Maybe Not
Family/child friendly? Yeah, probably. Babysitting service available. Kids meal? Possibly, though I didn't see it advertised. But the historical setting might not hold a child's attention for long.
Getting Around - Park Here, Walk There
Car park [free of charge] was a blessing, because parking in Avignon is a nightmare. Airport transfer available, but I didn't need it. Car park [on-site], Car power charging station – didn’t see them.
The Verdict: A Beautiful, Bizarre, and Ultimately Memorable Experience
Le Palais des Papes is a truly unique place. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. The Wi-Fi is atrocious. The accessibility is tricky. The check-in can be a little chaotic. But the sheer magnificence of the building, the luxurious spa, the delicious food, and the feeling of stepping back in time make it a hotel you won't forget. Just…bring your patience (and maybe a good book, for when the Wi-Fi fails). And absolutely book your room based on whether you want a view from the exterior corridor!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (with a strong recommendation to improve the Wi-Fi!)
Escape to Fairytale France: Luxury Gîtes at Château de Vernières!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into a chaotic, beautiful, and probably slightly disastrous trip to Avignon, France, all centered around the Hotel Le Medieval Palais des Papes. This isn't your airbrushed Instagram travel guide; this is the raw, unfiltered truth.
Avignon Adventure: Operation "Where's the Damn Pastis?" (and other existential questions)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Hotel Room Gamble
- Morning (or, as I like to call it, "Post-Jet Lag Hibernation"): Arrive at Avignon airport. Honestly, the flight was a blur of lukewarm coffee and existential dread about how many croissants I could realistically eat in a week. The airport? Small. Picturesque, in a "quaint village that's about to be overrun by tourists" kind of way. Grabbed a taxi – the driver looked like he’d seen some things. Probably related to how many people are looking for places near Palais des Papes.
- Mid-day: Arrive at Hotel Le Medieval Palais des Papes. Yeah, it looks amazing in the photos. The reality? Well, the lobby is stunning, all exposed stone and medieval charm. But… finding the actual reception? A quest worthy of a knight. Wandered around, muttering about "the elusive front desk." Finally found it, tucked away like a shy badger. Check-in was…slow. The receptionist probably had to explain the same thing about the hotel to the new guests every day. It was worth it, though, because I feel like I am sleeping in a castle.
- Afternoon: The Room… and the Crisis of Orientation: We get to the room. It's… well, it's small. Like, the kind of small where you question your life choices and wonder if you accidentally booked a broom closet. But hey, exposed beams! Character! (Ignoring the fact that I'm pretty sure I bumped my head on one within the first five minutes.) Tried to unpack, but the suitcase refused to fully open without blocking the door. This is going to be a fun week. Decided to let it all go and went for a walk.
- Evening: Attempting to find Food (and Sanity): Wandered the cobblestone streets, utterly lost. Avignon is charming, but finding a restaurant that isn't flooded with tourists and where you can understand the menu? Mission impossible. Finally stumbled upon a tiny bistro, spoke some very broken French, and ordered…something. It involved cheese. Everything in France involves cheese. Thank God. Dinner was great, but the thought of getting back to the hotel room? Shudder.
Day 2: Palais des Papes & The Illusion of Control
- Morning: Palace of Popes (and Lost Identities): The Palais des Papes. Massive. Imposing. Gave me a serious case of historical vertigo. Walked around, tried to remember my high school history…failed miserably. Kept getting lost in the maze of rooms and hallways. The audio guide was probably helpful, but I was too busy imagining myself as a medieval queen (obviously, a queen who’d mislaid her crown and was frantically searching for it).
- Afternoon: Bridge Over… Water? (and my sanity again): Pont d'Avignon. Beautiful, iconic. Took the mandatory photos. Hummed the song. Realized I had no idea why this bridge wasn't…complete. Looked for some explanation to fill the gaps in my historical knowledge.
- Late Afternoon: The Quest for Pastis (It’s Still Going!): Determined to find Pastis, that anise-flavored elixir of the gods. Wandered into a local market. The chaos! The smells! The gorgeous produce. Ended up buying a baguette, some cheese, and a questionable-looking hunk of sausage. No Pastis. Sigh. Started wandering again. It was starting to feel like a quest.
- Evening: The Perfect Sunset… and the Terrible Dinner (and Room): Found the perfect spot to watch the sunset over the Rhône. Spectacular. Breathtaking. Felt a glimmer of peace. Then… back to the tiny room and the awful dinner. Managed to burn my fingers on the hot water. Cried.
Day 3: Wine Tasting & the Daydream of Escape
- Morning: Wine, Glorious Wine! (and Pretending to be Sophisticated): Wine tasting tour in the Côtes du Rhône region. Surrounded by vineyards. Felt like a character in a rom-com. Pretended to know something about wine. Spilled some. Laughed it off. Definitely bought too much wine.
- Afternoon: More Wandering, More Existential Crises: Wandered the city walls. Wondered about the people who built them. Imagined living here in a different era. Wondered if I’d have been happy. Probably not. I prefer the 21st century, cheese, and wine.
- Late Afternoon: The Hotel Room Saga Continues: Back to the hotel and my tiny room. Had the amazing idea of rearranging furniture. The result was…a slightly different disaster. I am beginning to think the room is mocking me.
- Evening: The Quiet Revolution: Drank all the wine and was glad that I was staying at the beautiful hotel to unwind, it was great, the best part of the day!
Days 4 & onward: (The days began to blend together) (and the Great Escape):
- More Markets. More cheese. More attempts to speak French. More wine. More cheese. More amazing things.
- Felt more relaxed.
- More wandering, but this time I was glad.
- More laughing.
- Goodbye to Avignon. I’m not sure I’ll come back, but I’m sure I’ll miss it.
Quirks & Observations:
- Avignon is insanely beautiful. But also…chaotic. Like controlled chaos.
- The French love their cheese. Obsessively.
- I still haven't found the perfect Pastis. This is a personal failing I'm working on.
- Hotel Le Medieval Palais des Papes is an experience. It's like staying in a museum and a medieval drama, with a tiny dose of anxiety thrown in.
- The people are, for the most part, lovely. Even when they’re looking at me with that “tourist who can’t speak French” look.
- Packing tip: Take more comfortable shoes! Cobblestones are the enemy.
Emotional Reactions Summary:
- Joy: The sunsets. The wine. The cheese. The random moments of connection.
- Frustration: The tiny hotel room. The language barrier. The quest for Pastis.
- Awe: The Palais des Papes. The bridge. The architecture in general.
- Exhaustion: Tourist-ing is hard work, you guys.
- Love: The whole, messy, beautiful experience. Even the parts that made me want to cry.
Conclusion:
Avignon, you were a wild ride. I loved you. I hated you. I conquered you (sort of). I’ll be back. Probably. Eventually. Maybe. I need to find that Pastis first. Au revoir! (Probably butchered that. Sorry.)
NYC Jazz Getaway: Columbus Circle Hostel's Hottest Beats!
Escape to Avignon: Medieval Majesty Awaits - (Or Does It?) A FAQ Worth Reading (Maybe)
Okay, So, What *Is* This Whole "Escape to Avignon" Thing, Anyway? My Brain Hurts Just Thinking About Travel Planning.
Alright, breathe. Basically, it's a trip to Avignon in the south of France, centered (predictably) around the Palais des Papes – the Pope's Palace. Big freakin' deal back in the day. Imagine, you're wandering around this ridiculously huge, fortress-like building, the heart of medieval power. Think Game of Thrones, but with more… popes. Lots of popes. And they all had way too much power. I'm pretty sure I saw the ghost of Clement VI glare at me. Okay, maybe not.
But honestly, *planning* the trip? That's the real ordeal. Hours spent comparing flights, deciphering train schedules… ugh. I almost gave up. And my French is… well, “limited” is an understatement. "Where ze bathroom?" basically sums it up. But the Palace... the idea of the Palace... it kept me going. A true medieval escape!
Is the Palais des Papes actually *worth* seeing? Or is it just a giant pile of old stones? Because, let's be real, some "historical sites" are snooze-fests.
Okay, so, the million-dollar question. And I'll level with you: Yes. And no. It's complicated. Parts of it are absolutely breathtaking. The Grand Chapel? Seriously stunning. Imagine those walls, painted with… well, a lot of religious stuff. Think gold leaf, intricate details … mind-blowing. You can practically *feel* the history, the power, the sheer audacity of it all. And the views from the top are insane. You see the Rhone River, the Pont d'Avignon (that broken bridge – more on that later), the whole darn town laid out at your feet. Pure Instagram gold.
But… and this is the "no" part… much of it is just… empty. Rooms stripped bare. You're left to *imagine* the lavish furnishings, the bustling court, the scheming… It's like a ghost story. You *know* there was a party, but all the lights are off and everyone’s gone home. Also, be prepared to walk. A Lot. My feet were killing me. Pack good shoes, people! This is a medieval workout!
That Pont d'Avignon thing… is it just a tourist trap or is it actually cool? I keep hearing that song...
Oh, de Ponte d'Avignon! The bridge! *Sur le Pont d'Avignon…* (Okay, I’ll stop.) Yes, it’s a tourist trap. Utterly. But... it is undeniably cool. You're walking on a partially destroyed bridge in the middle of a fast-flowing river! The fact that they kept it standing at all is a feat of engineering. And the views of Avignon from there are stunning. Especially at sunset. Like… seriously, get your cameras ready.
The best part? You can actually *walk* on a significant portion of it. Though, it's only a *portion*. It's broken, remember? I was imagining what it would be like back in the day. All the bustling activity, the pilgrims, the commerce… It was a major artery; now it's a half-swallowed memory. It makes you think about the inevitable march of time, you know? (Or maybe that was just me, jetlagged and over-thinking it...)
Pro tip: Go early to avoid the hordes. Seriously. I went during rush hour (tourism rush hour) and I felt like I was crammed in with a herd of sheep. Not ideal.
Okay, you mentioned "avoiding the hordes"… What's the actual *best* time to visit Avignon to *actually* enjoy it?
Avoid peak season. *Seriously.* Summer, specifically July when the Festival d'Avignon is on? Forget it. Unless you enjoy being jammed into sweaty crowds and paying ludicrous prices for everything. Then, by all means, go. I would suggest springtime (April-May) or early autumn (September-October). You get pleasant weather, fewer tourists, and you can *actually* breathe and enjoy the city. I went in October, and it was perfect. The sun was shining, the air was crisp, and the crowds were manageable. It was heaven. Also, the food is better when you can actually *find* a table.
What about the food? Because, let's be honest, the food can make or break a trip. Did you eat anything interesting?
Oh, the food. Yes. Food. That's a whole other adventure. Provence, in general, is a foodie paradise. And Avignon? It did *not* disappoint. I had some of the *best* meals of my life there. I'm talking: fresh market produce, incredible cheeses, sun-ripened tomatoes that burst with flavor, and enough wine to make me forget my name (almost).
My *absolute* highlight? This little bistro tucked away on a side street, recommended by a local. It was a tiny place, probably seating only 20 people, and the chef was the owner. He spoke zero English, I spoke barely any French, but somehow, we communicated through gestures and smiles. I ordered the *plat du jour* (the plate of the day) – which was a slow-cooked lamb stew. It was like… a hug in a bowl. Rich, savory, melt-in-your-mouth perfection. I'm seriously craving it now. I seriously considered staying there for days. I practically licked the plate clean. Okay, I *may* have licked the plate clean.
On a less glamorous note, though… I accidentally ordered a dish with something I didn't recognize (turns out, it was snails). I tried it. Not a fan. Let’s just say, experienceHotel Search Site
