Saint-Bénézet bridge

Introducing the famous Pont d’Avignon, also known as Saint-Bénézet Bridge. Get ready to be swept away by its history, and maybe even dance in circles… Don’t worry, if you don’t get the reference just yet, it will all make sense in a moment. Let’s take a closer look at this iconic landmark. Notice that it doesn’t quite make it all the way across the Rhône River; it’s actually a remnant of the bridge that once connected the two banks. There used to be a wooden bridge here as early as Roman times. The first stone bridge was built in 1177, boasting an impressive 22 arches. It was a true feat of engineering for its time. The story goes that a young boy named Bénézet heard voices urging him to build a bridge across the Rhône. So he raised the money needed for this massive project, and made it happen. However, it was damaged time and time again by violent wars and the heavy floods of the Rhône. It was restored countless times, and it was eventually abandoned in the 17th century, due to the high cost of repairs. Admittedly, its narrowness, a mere four meters, made it particularly brittle. And, mind you, it was rather impractical for the transportation of goods, since there wasn’t even enough room for two carts. And yet, for a very long time, the Pont d’Avignon was the only bridge built over the Rhône to link Lyon to the Mediterranean Sea! Just imagine the amount of traffic… Back then, people often crossed the river by boat. This was truly a blessing in disguise, as the city was able to control the flow of goods and collect tolls. And that’s how Avignon came to be a major trading hub. Now for the famous song! “Sur le pont d’Avignon” owes its fame to a 19th-century comic play performed in Paris and set in Avignon. French composer Adolphe Adam took inspiration from artists who would gather and dance, not on the bridge itself, but under it, along the banks of the river. You see, the bridge was too narrow for them to dance the farandole, the traditional Provençal dance where people dance in big circles holding hands. The song quickly made its way around the world in the years to follow and it’s still a popular nursery rhyme today. Now you know everything there is to know about the Pont d’Avignon. Today, the bridge has but four arches, yet its international renown has earned it a spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. For a mere few euros, you can buy a ticket to walk on the bridge and see the remains up close. In the meantime, you can take a free ferry from here to the Île de la Barthelasse and explore the largest river island in all of Europe. It’s perfect for a leisurely stroll, offering superb views of Avignon.