I would put Avignon, France -- the walled city which substituted for the Vatican as the home of Popes for some 400 years -- on my list of over-rated destinations. While there is a certain charm to seeing the half-bridge all French students learn to sing about ("sur la pont d'Avignon ..."), le Chateau Neuf de Papes is a cold, dark, damp disappointment where photos are forbidden so you'll buy them in the gift shop. Pretentious, over-priced, mediocre restaurants, surly hotel staff ... the over-riding attitude seems to be that "We've got you, we know you're never coming back, so we're going to take you for all you're worth now." Certainly not worth making the trip, not even worth stopping in if you're passing by.

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