Final Day in Avignon, A Bath Museum, the Pope's Palace, and Farewell Dinner

We've been to several art museums and after a while, they start to run together. So for something different, we visited the Bains Pommer museum. 

This is not a place you'd find just strolling around in the tourist part of town. But I'd read about it online and people thought it was interesting... and it was fascinating! This was a family owned public bath house that operated from 1890 to 1972. In 1992 it was designated an historic monument, and in 2017 the latest generation of the family donated it to the City of Avignon. Admission is free.

It's been remodeled several times over the years, but some of the original "cabins" where people bathed are still there. Some of the cabins had tubs while others have showers, and one even had two tubs so that families could wash the children all in one room. There were signs posted throughout the building that were in French and English explaining the history and how the rooms were used. The tile was beautiful, and there was a lot of emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene and modesty. They also provided therapeutic baths that included sulfer and other chemicals that were supposed to help with skin conditions.  I suppose at one time these public baths were available in many towns, but this one has been beautifully preserved for visitors to see.

This first photo looks like some kind of torture chamber, but I think people would sit or stand between these shower heads, and someone would control the water flow. 

Overall, there were about 30 cabins or small rooms containing showers and tubs. Here's a couple of the original metal tubs...

And then images of the more updated cabins..

The Popes moved to Avignon in 1309 and were here until 1377. During that time, seven popes resided in the palace. We toured it today and it's quite the place. The rooms are massive with huge vaulted ceilings. Unfortunately, since the popes left, damage was done and most of the frescos and furnishings are gone. But we were able to weave our way through the chapels, the pope's chambers, and the enormous gathering rooms. Oh, and the gardens that could use a little sprucing up. Like so many of the historical buildings, it is not for those who can't do stairs. We were constantly going up and down. But worth it.

Our farewell dinner was the best dinner we've had in France! What a way to end 3 weeks of fabulous fun and food.... at Fou de FaFa. I have no idea where the name came from but once again, it is owned by a couple where he's the chef and she's the front-of-house. And she is a total pro! She welcomed us like old friends to this small, intimate room. Our 7PM reservation meant that we were surrounded by several American couples to start with but eventually the locals arrived. The menu was small but we loved our choices.

Greg started with salmon tartare with apples and honey, and I had a beet and goat cheese salad. Both were beautifully presented and exceptional.

Then Greg had duck breast and I had the fish of the day, sea bream. We didn't plan on desserr but carried away andn split the chocolate creme brulee. Just amazing.

Can't recomment this place enough.

So now it's Monday morning, and we're packing up and getting ready to train to Paris. We'll spend the night at an airport hotel and fly home tomorrow afternoon. Anxious to get there and get through the next two days of travel.

A wonderful trip comes to an end.