Tag Archives: Provence river cruise

Visit Macon on a Provence River Cruise

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Enjoy the Saone River When Visiting Macon

maconMacon is a small and beautiful town situated on the banks of the Saone River. It is situated in the Saone-et-Loire department of France and is one of the exuberant and youthful towns of the same. It lies towards the south of the Burgundy region, north of Lyon and near Cluny. Macon is the southernmost town of Burgundy and has a distinctly Mediterranean feel.

The history of Macon dates back to over 2000 years. Due to the historical position of this French village as a significant border town to the east of France and on a principal trading route, Macon flourished extremely well. Like several other towns in Burgundy, today Macon and its adjoining area are renowned for local wines.

Macon though has a few prominent monuments; it is a wonderful place to spend some time. The part of the town along the banks of the Saone River is the main attraction for visitors. They especially love the view across the river to the town from the opposite bank with the cathedral towers overlooking the skyline.

The Old Cathedral of Saint-Vincent- built between 11th and 14th century-is the best part of the town. Though, unfortunately, most of the actual structure is no longer there, the remaining part such as the octagonal towers and the imposing entrance gives a sense of the original. The models kept inside the cathedral help you to imagine the original structure.

Another highlight of the town is the New Cathedral of Saint Vincent built in neo-Romanesque style in 1860. This is also a beautiful edifice with two large bell towers crowned by stone spires. The anterior façade of the cathedral has three stone doorways enclosed by distinctly carved stonework, particularly the larger central door.

The Museum of the Ursulines is yet another attraction of Macon. It is situated in the 17th century Ursuline convent and has various items on display dating back to the long history of the region and the people who lived near Macon.

And don’t forget to visit the excellently preserved apothecary which is now a museum on the ground floor of the town hall. Even today, it has its original 18th century furniture and a wide range of pills and potions from bygone era.

Book your Provence River Cruise and Enjoy Macon

Our Provence River Cruise will be an ideal choice for you to visit the attractive town of Macon. Book your holiday with us today!

For more information contact: Europeanbarging, 888-869-7907, jan@europeanbarging.com

A Highlight of a Provence River Cruise – The Palais des Papes in Avignon

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 Provence River Cruise

Provence river cruiseThere is a great chance that booking a Provence River Cruise guarantees the guest a visit to Palais des Papes also known as the Papal Palace. This historical palace is located in Avignon. Southern France is quite known for its medieval buildings and Palais des Papes fits the description as one of the more important medieval gothic buildings in Europe.

Provence River Cruise and Palais des Papes

Built in two different phases with different segments, the phases of Palais des Papes is given two different names. The old palace is named Palais Vieux and the new palace is named Palais Nuef. Once both stages were completed the palace stretched 2.6 acres. At that time the expensive building held papacy’s riches.

Pierre Poison did the construction of the old palace as instructed by Pope Benedict. The New Palace was constructed by Architect Jean de Louvres who was hired by Pope Clement VI. Pope Innocent VI and Pope Urban V added on two more towers to complete the main courtyard.

The buildings featured incredible decor – the frescos, paintings, tapestries, sculptures, and wooden ceilings were amazing and rich. Once the popes left Avignon in 1377 they returned to Rome. Clement VII and Benedict XIII secured Palais des Papes as their own. Once the latter was imprisoned in the Palais the antipapal had their hands on the building. In 1433 Authority of the Palais des Papes was returned to the legates.

When the French Revolution started in 1789 the buildings were in terrible condition and were also seized by revolutionary forces. Two years later it was known as the scene of a massacre. The building had memories of bodies of counter-revolutionaries that were thrown into the Tour des Latrines in the Palais Vieux.
Because the military has much to do with the latest damage of Napoleonic French state the building has been under constant restoration. In 1906 the building was vacated and became nationally known as a museum. Visit this site that is full of historical conflicts as it is now open to the public. Inside the Palace Museum are lots of historical artifacts and rotating special exhibits.

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Vacations are usually not complete without a little souvenir to pack away and memories of some great food to brag to friends and family about. Around the Palace is a pedestrian square with many outdoor cafes and a few shops – a great place to take a break before going back to your ship.

For more information contact: Europeanbarging, 888-869-7907, jan@europeanbarging.com

11th Century Cluny Abbey- Provence River Cruise

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Take A Provence River Cruise To Cluny Abbey

Provence River CruiseCluny Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in Cluny, France. Built in the 11th Century and nearly destroyed during the French Revolution, it is one of the most significant abbeys of the Middle Ages. The three churches at Cluny Abbey were built in succession from the 10th to the early 12th centuries.

Cluny Abbey was one of the most important Benedictine, Christian monasteries of its time, helping to bring stability to the European society. It was the center of a major monastic movement of the Middle Ages that would spread throughout Europe.

The land for the abbey was donated by William I the Pious, Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Auvergne, from his own forested hunting preserve.

The Cluny Abbey was founded by Benedictine monks with a keen desire to observe closer adherence to the Benedictine rule. A distinctive aspect of their spirituality was their commitment to offer eternal prayer, emphasizing liturgy and spiritual pursuits over labor and other monastic activities.

Though some religious orders traditionally led a frugal life in that period, the case was different with the monks at Cluny Abbey. There were solid gold and silver chalices with gems for the Mass. Though monks usually ate porridge and broth, the monks at Cluny Abbey enjoyed wine, cheese and roasted chicken. They wore rich clothes made of silk and linen for the Mass.

A substantial part of the Cluny Abbey was designed with Romanesque architecture. It once housed Romanesque sculptures that are considered to be masterpieces today. Not only this, the library in Cluny Abbey was once considered to be the most important and the richest library across all of Europe. It held many important and valuable books. The Cluny Abbey stood as a great symbol of French culture in its time.

The church of the abbey was the largest Christian building in the world, until St. Peter’s Basilica was rebuilt in Rome in the 16th century.
What is left of Cluny Abbey today is a small portion of the third church and the bell tower, along with the 15th-century abbots’ residences and 18th-century convent buildings. The site also includes pleasant gardens and a museum with Romanesque artifacts.

Provence River Cruise And The Historical Abbey of Cluny

Our Provence river cruise offers a visit to the historical Abbey of Cluny. Contact us for more information! Europeanbarging 888-869-7907