Pont d'Avignon

Pont d'Avignon tours

France

Things to do in Pont d'Avignon

4.5/5 (448)

Ultimate landmark of the city of Avignon, the Saint Bénézet Bridge is said to have been built in the 12th century .

Presumably, the story began with young Shepherd Saint Bénézet, called upon by divine voices to build a wooden bridge across the Rhone around 1177. Upon its completion in 1185, it became the only path connecting Lyon with the Mediterranean Sea, spanning 900 meters and 22 arches. Repeatedly washed away by the floods of the Rhône after being dismantled in 1226 during the Albigensian Crusade, it eventually became too costly to maintain, and thus was completely abandoned in the 17th century.

In fact, in the following centuries, the Avignon Bridge went on with cycles of engineering, renovation and repair, whilst cementing its iconic status notably through the ubiquitous children’s dance song “Sur le pont d’avignon”, popularized in the 16th and 17th centuries and somehow never forgotten.

Mystery still surrounds the actual origins of the Avignon Bridge, giving way to many scholar debates. From 2010 till today, it continues being the subject of CNRS (the French National Centre for Scientific Research) led interdisciplinary research, notably leading to a variety of multimedia museum displays.

Along with the rest of the main architectural elements of the Avignon historical center, the Saint-Bénézet Bridge was classified World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995 .

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Combined entrance tickets for Palais des Papes and Pont d'Avignon
Attractions & guided tours

Combined entrance tickets for Palais des Papes and Pont d'Avignon

Book this combo offer including skip-the-line tickets to visit UNESCO-ranked historic locations in beautiful Avignon including its world-famous bridge, the Palais des Papes and its gardens.

Flexible
Instant Confirmation
Skip The Line
Walking Tour of Avignon and Popes' Palace
Attractions & guided tours

Walking Tour of Avignon and Popes' Palace

Enjoy a walking tour of Avignon and visit the Popes Palace with a professional guide, discover the rich historical past of the city.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

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Pont d'Avignon

Pont d'Avignon

Avignon

France

Reviews Pont d'Avignon

5/5
Patricia, 09 Sept 2024
4/5
Andrea, 28 Aug 2024

“La visita al castello dei Papi è stata molto interessante ed istruttiva.Il biglietto comprendeva anche i giardini ed il ponte.Onestamente i giardini dovrebbero essere parte integrante della visita al castello non ho trovato che fossero un plus.Interessante invece la visita al ponte ed i video.”

5/5
Rocio, 26 Aug 2024
4/5
Ornella Laura, 24 Aug 2024

“Ho prenotato da casa non sapendo i tempi di attesa ed è stata una buona scelta perché In questo modo abbiamo evitato la fila.”

Avignon