Avignon, the ancient city of Popes in France

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Avignon is surrounded by defensive walls and its old houses have great charm.

The Palace of the Popes and the bridge of Avignon (pont Saint-Bénezet), one of the symbols of the city, are part of UNESCO World Heritage Site.


Palace of the Popes
Palace of the Popes' Palace papiIl was simultaneously papal residence, place of worship, fortress and head office.
Clement V to his arrival at Avignon was located in the large monastery of the preachers, on the banks of the river, while his successor John XXII, who was bishop of the city, he moved into his old episcopal palace, which was larger and redecorated, adding on the south side of the hearing room. Also transformed the old Church of Santo Stefano, on the left side of the cathedral, in the papal chapel.
Starting in 1334 Benedict XII major work undertaken in the palace, instructing Pierre Poisson. Initially it was built a large tower south of the old episcopal palace and a new great pontifical chapel on two superimposed levels. Then running north were built wings of apartments and the tower of the Study. At the same time were gradually destroyed the other wings of the oldest building, replaced by new buildings, each structured around a yard: in the east those officers of the court, to the west of family housing, to the south the vast apartments for guests. The south and east sides were fortified by a mighty bastion.
Clement VI enlarged the palace still: it was built the tower of the Wardrobe, which rested against the tower of the former Pope and was given the task of constructing new buildings to the south and west to Jean de Louvres, a native of Paris, who made a Since 1345 the southern wing with the Great and the Great Audience Chapelle, and the west wing to house the principal dignitaries of the court. At this time goes back most of the decorations of the palace: the painter Matteo Giovannetti and his workshop created cycles of frescoes on the themes of the greatness of the Church and on the links between Rome and Avignon. In the pope's private apartments other unidentified painters built a new naturalistic decoration, which was a forest with the activities of hunting and fishing.
Under Innocent VI were built the towers of St. Lawrence and Grace and created under the Urban V in Rome galerie garden above.


The square outside the Palace of the Popes, the bridge of Saint-Bénezet according to legend was built by a young shepherd named Bénezet divine order. Completed in 1185 and rebuilt several times, they remain today only four arches and a chapel. From the bridge of Avignon is called the traditional song for children Sur le pont d'Avignon