Joseph Vernet Street

This is Joseph Vernet Street, one of the city’s most historic streets. We’ll get to its medieval past in a moment, but for now, I’d like to draw your attention to the buildings all around you. This street is home to a number of old mansions, grand residences built by wealthy 16th, 17th, and 18th-century aristocrats. Look to your right, for example, at number 85, and the two adjacent buildings, at numbers 83 and 87. The latter was first built in the 16th century for Louis de Cambis d’Orsan, and has since passed through the hands of the town’s wealthiest families. It took on its current appearance in the mid-18th century. As for the building at number 83, it’s listed as a historical monument and was once a school, which itself used to be housed in a former 14th-century convent. Continue down the street and you’ll spot many more, including the one that now houses the Calvet Museum, which we’ll be looking at in a moment. Back in the day, this street was home to the city’s elite, who settled here once the ramparts were demolished. It was nicknamed “Faubourg Vernet” because it was on the outskirts of town back then. Of course, that’s no longer the case; today, this neighbourhood is right at the heart of Avignon and it’s a must-see for anyone interested in the city’s history. There’s more to see, let’s keep going!