Visit Avignon and Villeneuve lez Avignon aboard a Double-Decker Bus

The bridge Saint-Bénézet or bridge of Avignon was made famous by the popular song On the bridge of Avignon ... One dances there, one dances there ....

The bridge was begun in 1177. Long of 920 meters, it had 22 arches and was 4 meters wide. This imposing building, which was called the marvel of time, was built in just 8 years, until 1185. But this first bridge of the Romanesque era is destroyed until the fourth arch during the siege of 1226 The new bridge stretches for about 900 meters and has some 22 arches.

In the Middle Ages, the Pont St Bénezet fits on one of the most important pilgrimage routes between Italy and Spain. It will become indispensable to the papal court that moved to Avignon in the fourteenth century.

Soon, the cardinals moved to Villeneuve to escape the nuisances of Avignon, then described by the poet Petrarch "more infective and more stinky cities of the earth." The bridge was at this time the most direct link between the multiple residences that the cardinals were building, and the Palais des Papes located inside the ramparts of Avignon.

At each crossing on the bridge, the Popes used to stop in front of the Bénezet chapel to pray for a moment and leave an alms of a florin.

The bridge was paved in 1377 by order of Cardinal Blandiac, in order to remedy the frequent problems of slips causing many accidents and drownings. Louis XIV is one of the last to cross the Rhône before his "collapse" in the seventeenth century. Despite his desire to become owner, he will not be resolved to fund the restoration.

Museum of Modern Art

The Lambert Collection opened its doors in June 2000, on the occasion of the celebrations "Avignon, European Capital of Culture". Yvon Lambert, gallerist and collector, decided to deposit his personal collection in a former 18th century mansion, with a view to a future donation. 350 works from the 1960s to the present have been the first fund to have more than 1,200 references. Place of creation, exchange and dissemination, the Lambert Collection offers five sectors that are deployed in the 2000 m2 of the museum: exhibitions, preventive conservation, activities directed at young audiences, the bookstore and its artists' editions , the restaurant located in the courtyard of the mansion.

Built on the rock .... the Philippe le Bel Tower ... from the name of the Capetian king who had it built in the 13th century for the sole purpose of controlling access to the Pont d'Avignon.

It is a perfect example of medieval military architecture, symbolizing royal power in the face of pontifical rule.

The construction of this strong beginat at the end of the 12th century.

The latter defended in the 14th century the Benedictine abbey of the same name.

Its remarkable gardens are ranked among the most beautiful in France.

The abbey of Saint-André also invites to the discovery!

From its vaulted rooms, sumptuously decorated in the 17th century, to its exteriors ...

Because the gardens of the Abbey, having received the label: Remarkable Gardens, are really worth the detour! Romanesque remains and Renaissance Tuscan style ornaments, display their splendor of yesteryear, in the middle of the rose beds, and Mediterranean plants.

Chartreuse of the Val de Bénédiction, former residence cardinalice, built under the impetus of Pope Innocent VI, from 1353.

Housed in a mansion of the 14th century, where followed, many cardinals.

It is in the heart of this green lung of 700 hectares, on the right bank of the Rhone, that we will observe our next stop.

A stopover of 10 to 15 minutes, during which you can relax and enjoy the breathtaking panorama of the city of the Popes, located directly opposite!

Unless you prefer to continue the bike ride, or to reach the historic center, by taking the free river shuttle.