La Rue des Teinturiers (Dyers Street), Avignon (must see)

Start your walk along the Dyers Street at its western end, near the intersection with Rue des Lices. This cobblestone street follows a narrow canal fed by the River Sorgue, with old stone buildings, plane trees, and small bridges crossing the water.

While at the intersection with Rue des Lices, look near for the remains of the Convent of the Cordeliers. The most recognizable feature is its medieval bell tower, once part of a large Franciscan complex established in the 13th century. According to tradition, Laura de Noves, the woman who inspired the Italian poet Petrarch, was buried here.

Now, follow the Dyers Street eastward, keeping the canal alongside you. Look down toward the water, where you'll notice several large wooden water wheels, some covered in moss. Between the 14th and 19th centuries, this was a busy textile-manufacturing district. As many as 23 wheels once powered machinery used in silk production and fabric processing. Only four historic wheels survive today, giving the street its traditional nickname, the Street of the Wheels.

Continue to Number 8, the Chapel of the Grey Penitents. This historic religious complex is associated with a Catholic brotherhood founded in 1226, following King Louis VIII's siege of Avignon. If the chapel is open, you can see its wood-paneled ceiling, hexagonal chamber, and historic paintings.

The chapel is also associated with the Miracle of the Waters. According to tradition, during a major Rhône flood in 1433, the waters miraculously parted inside the chapel, protecting the Blessed Sacrament.

Returning to the street, continue eastward to Number 14, associated with Jean-Henri Fabre, the 19th-century naturalist famous for his studies of insects.

Finally, continue toward Rue Guillaume Puy, where you'll find the "House of Digit Four," at Number 26. Built in 1493, this late-Gothic house stands out for its crenellated roofline, two corner turrets, and gargoyle-shaped rainwater spouts.

Stand across the street for a better view of the façade. The house takes its name from a mysterious symbol resembling the Roman numeral IV, formerly carved between its windows. Although the original carving has disappeared, the symbol's meaning remains uncertain.