Avignon
across the Rhône River from Avignon
Avignon, city in southern France, capital of Vaucluse Department, on the Rhône River. It is a wine-trade and manufacturing center, producing processed food, leather, textiles, soaps, and chemicals. The University Center of Avignon (1973) is here.
First recorded, in Roman texts from the first
century BC, the name Avignon
comes from "Avenio" which means "town of violent winds" or "town of the river".
town center
city hall
theater
the tourist "train" to show people around the town
More Photos of the town (2006)
More Photos of the town (2013)
Places of interest within the city include a huge 14th-century palace that once
served as a residence and fortress of the popes. The beautiful Gothic Basilica
of Saint Peter (14th century) and the Cathedral of Notre Dame des Doms (12th
century) are nearby, and just north of the palace, on rocky heights overlooking
the Rhône River, are several public gardens.
bridge of Saint Bénézet (12th century)
photo from 1976
chapel on the bridge
entrance to the bridge
Only a fragment of the bridge of Saint Bénézet (12th century), to which the famous French song "Sur le Pont d'Avignon" refers, remains. However, the city still retains its massive 14th-century ramparts, which were only slightly damaged during World War II (1939-1945). In summer, the month-long Festival d'Avignon includes classical and contemporary theater productions.
looking toward the Papal Palace
church next to the Papal Palace
Papal Palace
model of the Papal Palace
From 1309 to 1377, the period often referred to as the Babylonian Captivity of the popes, Avignon served as the seat of the papal court, and from 1378 to 1408 the city was the residence of several of the antipopes. In 1475 it was made an archiepiscopal see, and it subsequently became a flourishing commercial center.
seal
During this period, even though Avignon was part of the Papal States and was
nominally ruled by legates, the citizens were in reality free to govern
themselves. The papacy lost the city, however, during the French Revolution,
when Avignon was incorporated by plebiscite into France in 1791. Population
(1999) 85,935.
Text from Microsoft Encarta
in 1957
in 1976
entrance in 2003
More Photos of the Papal Palace (2006)
the wooden door
the courtyard of the older part
crenulated tower
in 1976
view across the river
Return to Provence Elderhostel page