The Pont Saint-Bénézet also known as the Pont d’Avignon was a medieval bridge.
A wooden bridge over Rhône between Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and Avignon was built between 1177 and 1185.
This bridge was destroyed in 1226.
Beginning in 1234 the bridge was rebuilt with 22 stone arches.
The stone bridge was about 900 meters in length and only 4,9 meters in width.
Chapel Saint-Nicolas of Avignon
Chapel of Saint-Bénézet. Statue of the Virgin and Child.
Chapel of Saint-Bénézet.
The bridge was abandoned in the mid-17th century as the arches tended to collapse each time the Rhône flooded making it very expensive to maintain. Four arches and the gatehouse at the Avignon end of the bridge have survived.
Above the chapel of Saint-Nicolas.
Below the Chapel of Saint-Bénézet’
Avignon is commemorated by the French song ‘Sur le Pont d’Avignon’ (‘On the bridge of Avignon’), which describes folk dancing.
