Despite its worldwide fame, its complex history and unique architecture remain a mystery to many travellers. To understand how this stone colossus came into being, we must go back in time. Let’s dive into the 14th century, an exciting era when the city suddenly became the beating heart and decision-making centre of Christian Europe.

Avignon before the arrival of the popes

The ancient origins of the city

The city of Avignon did not wait for the pontiffs to arrive before shining brightly. Long before their spectacular arrival, it was already establishing itself as a major commercial and cultural hub in Provence. Ideally located on the left bank of the Rhône, it attracted much attention. The Cavares, a Celto-Ligurian people, founded the first flourishing settlement there in the 5th century BC.

Roman and medieval prosperity

The Romans then turned it into a brilliant city from the 2nd century onwards. From ancient times, the city prospered as an essential strategic crossroads. It skilfully connected the Mediterranean Sea to the vast territories of northern Europe. During the Middle Ages, the town was surrounded by solid ramparts and a defensive castle. Unbeknownst to its inhabitants, it was preparing for its great spiritual destiny.

The hustle and bustle of a lively medieval city

A wealthy and cosmopolitan population

Before the legendary palace was built, several local lords shared power over the city. The streets were bustling with life. The population was dense and diverse, comprising wealthy merchants, talented artisans and skilled labourers. Regular fairs attracted traders from all over Europe, greatly enhancing the economic wealth of the Provence region.

A brilliant intellectual and cultural centre

Beyond its commercial dynamism, the city was distinguished by its intense intellectual influence. A prestigious university was founded there in the 13th century. It attracted students and scholars eager for knowledge. In addition, a strong tradition of troubadour poetry and Provençal music enlivened the narrow streets and public squares. If you are looking for the 10 must-do things to do in Avignon, the legacy of this period is everywhere.

Why popes left Rome

A profound political and spiritual crisis

The transfer of the Holy See did not happen by chance or on a whim. The popes chose our beautiful city for political reasons and for reasons of urgent security. At the beginning of the 14th century, the Roman Catholic Church was undergoing an unprecedented institutional crisis. The Eternal City, Rome, was torn apart by bloody factional struggles and incessant riots.

Vital search for a safe haven

Insecurity was such that, as early as the 11th century, several sovereign pontiffs had already taken to residing far from the Vatican. The Roman aristocracy made the political climate unbearable for papal authority. The search for a safe haven, away from the violent turmoil in Italy, became an absolute priority in order to guarantee the survival of the papacy and preserve its spiritual and temporal independence.

Decisive election of Clement V

Conflicts of succession in the Vatican

The historic turning point came after the death of Pope Boniface VIII in 1304. The papacy found itself dangerously divided. A series of unusually violent internal conflicts broke out between different factions of cardinals, threatening to implode the Catholic institution. It was in this highly tense climate that a decisive and interminable conclave finally convened in Perugia.

The decisive influence of the King of France

In 1305, French Cardinal Bertrand de Got was finally elected under the name of Clement V. This historic election was by no means a matter of chance. It took place under direct pressure from Philip the Fair, the powerful King of France. The latter was keen to establish his influence over the Church and indirectly control papal decisions in Europe.

A temporary arrangement that dragged on

The definitive renunciation of the city of Rome

Clement V initially had every intention of returning to Rome. However, faced with chronic political instability on the Italian peninsula, he was reluctantly forced to abandon this plan. He then actively sought a strategic location. In 1309, he decided to settle near his own papal lands, the famous and peaceful Comtat Venaissin.

The unexpected choice of the city on the Rhône

And so he settled in Provence. This move was supposed to be purely temporary, to allow the storm to pass. But fate decided otherwise. His successors, convinced by the incomparable advantages of the location, maintained their lavish court there. The city then became the undisputed new capital of Christendom, shining with new splendour throughout the West.

The beginnings of the papal presence

Security and stability regained

The sovereign pontiffs who succeeded Clement V quickly grasped the tremendous benefits of this new geographical anchorage. For them, the region offered unexpected stability compared to the urban chaos of Rome. The majestic river greatly facilitated communications and rapid diplomatic travel. The Holy See could finally devote itself to the sprawling administration of the Church with real serenity.

Reassuring proximity to the crown

Beyond the obvious material security, the geographical choice was politically astute. The popes were now considerably closer to the powerful French court. This proximity to the border guaranteed significant diplomatic and military support. The temporal and spiritual power of the papacy was thus strengthened, ideally preparing the ground for the imminent construction of the famous Palais des Papes.

Before the construction of the Palais des Papes

The very modest arrival of Pope Clement V

The birth of the world’s largest Gothic palace complex did not happen overnight. Clement V, the first to move in on 9 March 1309, arrived with a very modest court. Refusing to build a new sumptuous residence, he chose to take up residence in the Dominican convent, located just outside the protective ramparts.

The assertive pragmatism of John XXII

He did not launch any major construction projects, firmly convinced that his exile would be brief. It was his successor, John XXII, who radically changed the situation. He settled comfortably into the city’s former episcopal palace. Although he luxuriously refurbished the interior to make it worthy of a sovereign, he did not alter the modest exterior appearance of the old building.

Spectacular birth of the Old Palace

The largest Gothic palace in the world was created thanks to two building popes, Benedict XII and Clement VI. The former built the Old Palace. Clement VI enlarged and enriched the building with the New Palace.

Monumental vision of Benedict XII

It was the third Avignon pontiff, Benedict XII, who truly transformed the city’s urban landscape. This former Cistercian monk, known for his great rigour, ordered the construction of a building perfectly suited to the papal function. In 1335, he resolutely launched the monumental construction project of what is now commonly known as the Old Palace.

Establishing lasting papal authority

Benedict XII had several profound motivations for financing this titanic project. The papacy’s establishment in Provence now seemed to be a lasting one. The Pope wanted to visibly strengthen his authority over the region and the neighbouring Comtat Venaissin. He needed an extremely large and prestigious residence to impress the great monarchs of Europe and impose his temporal authority.

A severe building with a defensive purpose

Effective protection from military unrest

Unfortunately, this was a time of violent conflicts and wars waged by fearsome mercenaries who regularly ravaged the countryside. The Old Palace was therefore logically designed as an impregnable fortress. Its massive walls and formidable defensive towers offered optimal protection against the threat of attack and the recurring political unrest in southern Europe.

The symbol of the omnipotence of the Church

Beyond its purely military function, this first part of the vast palatial complex carries a strong symbolic message. Benedict XII ardently wished to leave an indelible architectural mark of the papacy in Provence. This austere but wildly impressive building perfectly reflects the power, unwavering strength and permanence of the Catholic Church in the face of the formidable storms of its time.

The grandiose construction of the New Palace

The immense artistic ambition of Clement VI

In 1342, the unexpected election of Clement VI, born Pierre Roger, marked a radical historical turning point. This skilled diplomat and great lover of luxury and art found the Old Palace far too austere and uncomfortable. He decided without hesitation to undertake a magnificent extension, called the New Palace, to brilliantly meet the new demands of his court.

Welcoming a lavish and demanding court with dignity

The court had grown considerably over the decades. It now included several hundred privileged courtiers, learned clerics and devoted officers. Added to this were the illustrious ambassadors, kings and powerful princes who flocked there constantly. Clement VI desperately wanted a grandiose reception area to dazzle his prestigious guests and demonstrate ecclesiastical supremacy.

Gothic architecture in the service of papal power

A majestic palace bathed in light

In contrast to the fortress-like spirit of his strict predecessor, Clement VI commissioned a modern and resolutely luminous building. The architects designed immense ceremonial halls with very large openings. Gothic architecture flourished here in all its grace, offering infinitely more comfortable and refined spaces that contrasted dramatically with the severity of Benedict XII’s original building.

The undisputed golden age of papal patronage

Clement VI was recognised throughout Europe as an exceptional patron of the arts. He took full advantage of this vast construction project to attract the greatest creative talents of his flourishing era. The arrival of the famous Italian painter Matteo Giovannetti was a decisive event. Under his brilliant leadership, the brilliant School of Avignon was born. The sublime frescoes that delicately decorate the chapels bear witness to this unprecedented flourishing.

Impressive architecture of the façades

Defensive ingenuity of the Old Palace

Even today, the monument proudly displays its two contrasting faces facing the main square. The Old Palace reveals an imposing main façade adorned with an elegant triple row of very slender Gothic windows. Its high, vertiginous walls are flanked by extremely massive corner towers, skilfully equipped with dissuasive battlements and purely defensive machicolations to repel formidable attackers.

The absolute elegance of the façade of the New Palace

The New Palace, for its part, is the most sumptuous section of the gigantic site. It is elegantly arranged around a spectacularly large main courtyard. Its various buildings are lined with beautiful galleries, majestically crowned by a Gothic rose window of great finesse. Its magnificently sculpted façade, richly decorated with delicate pinnacles and gables, amazes all architecture enthusiasts.

The monument’s countless interior treasures

Colossal ceremonial halls

As you respectfully pass through the doors of this Provençal colossus, you will discover breathtaking interior spaces. The vast reception rooms are skilfully topped with majestic ribbed vaults. The slender columns and powerful flying buttresses brilliantly demonstrate the technical virtuosity of medieval builders. They knew how to combine the airy elegance of form with the essential robustness of stone.

The unimaginable luxury of the private apartments

The intimate papal apartments are undeniably the beating and mysterious heart of the complex. These exclusive spaces reveal the incredible wealth of the court of yesteryear. Here you can admire huge, superb fireplaces and walls that were once covered with luxurious, warm, colourful tapestries. The resplendent wall frescoes, perfectly preserved, continue to whisper the secrets of the past grandeur of the Avignon papacy.

Daily life at the great papal court

A powerful, hyper-centralised administration

During the long reign of the popes, this stone jewel was not just a simple summer residence. It was the true and bustling administrative and financial centre of the entire Catholic world. The influential Apostolic Chamber managed the Church’s immense wealth with an iron fist. Numerous diligent scribes and brilliant lawyers worked tirelessly in the archives.

Dazzling splendour of ceremonial banquets

The bustling court life was punctuated daily by ceremonies of grandiose proportions. The gigantic feasts organised in the vast Grand Tinel were legendary throughout Europe. Rare delicacies were served in abundance, accompanied by the region’s prestigious wines. These sumptuous culinary displays served to ostentatiously establish the temporal power of the Holy Father.

Major economic impact on the entire region

Spectacular development of the city

The prolonged presence of the sumptuous papal court radically transformed the appearance of the town. In just a few decades, it went from being a modest market town to a vibrant European metropolis. Magnificent cardinal’s residences, veritable miniature palaces, were quickly built by wealthy cardinals throughout the urban fabric, embellishing the local heritage.

A continuous and massive influx of wealth

Local commercial activity experienced an unprecedented boom. Sellers of precious fabrics, talented goldsmiths and artisans of the most refined luxury goods prospered thanks to the court’s enormous orders. Money flowed freely, stimulating sustained economic growth throughout the beautiful region of Provence and leaving a lasting mark on its identity.

The inevitable decline and return to Rome

Pope Gregory XI’s difficult decision

All great and beautiful eras inevitably come to an end. In 1376, Gregory XI, the seventh and last official pontiff of Avignon, made a historic decision with far-reaching consequences. Yielding to the urgent appeals of figures such as Saint Catherine of Siena and to cruel diplomatic necessities, he decided to return the Holy See to Rome. He left the city for good on 13 September.

The terrible shock of the Great Western Schism

Unfortunately, this grand return to Roman roots was dramatically cut short. The sovereign died suddenly two years later. His very chaotic succession immediately triggered one of the most serious and complex events in medieval Christianity: the Great Western Schism. For nearly forty long years, the Church was violently torn apart. Two dissident popes stubbornly remained in the Provençal palace.

A dark period of unrest and sieges

The palace was heavily attacked and damaged

This interminable period of religious schism sadly marked the beginning of the great decline of the Gothic building. The monument endured several extremely violent military sieges. French royal troops and dangerous mercenaries attempted to use force to dislodge the dissident pontiffs cloistered inside. The high ramparts were severely damaged by artillery and the famous treasure was heavily squandered.

Definitive end of the Avignon papacy

The cruel dispute over the throne of St. Peter finally came to an end in 1415 thanks to the decisive Council of Constance. After the election of Martin V, the Catholic Church was finally reunited for good, and Rome once again became the sole and undisputed capital of Christendom. The city on the Rhône irrevocably lost its exceptional international diplomatic status. The splendour of the flamboyant 14th century slowly faded, giving way to obscurity.

Monument after the departure of the popes

Very long reign of the vice-legates

Despite the painful loss of its status as a world capital, the city and the Comtat Venaissin remained direct possessions of the Vatican. The gigantic Gothic building then underwent a radical change of function. It became the official residence of the vice-legates, powerful political representatives sent from Rome to administer the territory with a firm hand. They occupied it continuously for nearly four interminable centuries.

Often unfortunate architectural modifications

During this very long historical phase, the vast monument underwent numerous architectural alterations. Successive vice-legates shamelessly adapted the grandiose spaces to their modest needs, often to the detriment of the original harmonious Gothic architecture. The essential maintenance of this old stone colossus proved to be a real financial drain. Inevitably, parts of the complex began to fall into a very worrying state of disrepair.

The French Revolution and mutilation

Definitive annexation to republican France

The year 1791 marked a brutal and bloody historical turning point. The peaceful papal city was officially and definitively annexed to the French nation in the midst of a formidable revolutionary upheaval. At that time, the building was already in a state of great aesthetic disrepair. Considered by the people as a hated symbol of clerical oppression, it suffered the terrible wrath of the revolutionaries and devastating looting.

From a dark prison to a military barracks

The republican authorities seriously considered simply destroying it with explosives. Fortunately, the colossal solidity of the walls quickly discouraged the daring demolitionists. A high-ranking army officer, impressed by the extraordinary size of the building, proposed transforming the entire complex into a large departmental prison, then into military barracks. While this pragmatic decision saved the exterior, it unfortunately condemned the interior.

The slow deterioration of the splendid décor

Irreparable damage caused by military occupation

The long occupation by troops was a veritable disaster for the fabulous artistic heritage. Unscrupulous soldiers brutally partitioned off the rooms to create grim dormitories. The sumptuous and delicate original frescoes were mercilessly covered with thick lime or torn from the walls. Magnificent statues were shamefully mutilated and beautiful period furniture was burned.

The salutary awakening of heritage awareness

It took a painful wait until the early 20th century for attitudes to finally change for the better. Under the energetic impetus of leading intellectuals, the army finally agreed to vacate the premises completely in 1906. The damaged building was then solemnly entrusted to the expert administration of the Historic Monuments department. A restoration project of titanic proportions was immediately set in motion.

The building’s remarkable cultural renaissance

The very first daring art exhibitions

As soon as it reopened to the general public, the monument miraculously regained its formidable capacity to inspire wonder. In 1947, the famous Yvonne Zervos organised a dazzling exhibition of contemporary art in the Grande Chapelle. This pioneering and highly daring cultural event brilliantly proved that these venerable Gothic stones could enhance modern artistic creation. The colossus was finally revived.

The historic birth of the famous Festival

In that same founding year, a great and particularly visionary man of the theatre, Jean Vilar, was warmly invited to present classical plays in the immense Cour d’Honneur. This was the spark that gave birth to the legendary Festival d’Avignon. Since then, every July, the monument has been completely transformed. Its grandiose centuries-old walls serve as an open-air theatrical backdrop for the greatest directors.

The Palais des Papes today, a source of global pride

Supreme recognition by UNESCO

The tireless and meticulous restoration work carried out by passionate teams has finally borne magnificent fruit. In 1995, UNESCO officially recognised the exceptional universal value of this southern marvel. It is proudly listed as a prestigious World Heritage Site, joining the ranks of the most admired sites on the planet. This is the ultimate and fitting recognition for this immense architectural gem.

A major tourist attraction

Today, the papal building is undoubtedly the most visited historical monument in the region. It irresistibly attracts hundreds of thousands of curious visitors from all over the world. Its majestic presence continues to powerfully boost the local economy. If you are planning to visit Avignon in one day, an immersive tour of the palace is the number one cultural experience that is not to be missed.

An immersive tour at the cutting edge of modern technology

The great digital innovation with the Histopad

In order to restore colour and life to the splendid decorations that have disappeared, the managers made a winning bet on innovation. Since 2017, visitors have been able to explore the site using the Histopad, a brilliant, interactive digital tablet. This revolutionary tool offers highly accurate 3D reconstructions, showing the vast rooms exactly as they were in all their splendour in the 14th century.

A fun experience for all generations

This amazing high-tech device also offers intriguing interactive treasure hunts specially designed for younger visitors. This fun and educational approach allows entire families to discover the complex religious history in a very entertaining way. Amazed visitors can immerse themselves in the splendour, warmth and vibrant colours that characterised the place at its prestigious peak.

Continue your wonderful discovery around this marvel

Brilliantly preserved urban architecture

The fabulous influence of this sacred monument extends far beyond its own thick walls. In fact, the entire historic centre has been intimately shaped by the powerful papal presence. The charming cobbled streets, small shaded squares and spectacular façades of the former cardinals’ residences proudly bear witness to this rich past. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, our Around the Palace tour is simply ideal.

The famous bridge that makes the whole world dance

Just a stone’s throw from the great fortress, it is impossible to miss the legendary Saint-Bénézet Bridge. This daring structure, joyfully immortalised in the famous children’s song, once cleverly connected the city to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. A combined visit to the grand palace and the remains of this medieval bridge is the perfect way to round off your wonderful discovery tour of the South.

Explore the papal city with Les Noctambules d’Avignon

An intimate discovery with a local

As a local with a genuine passion for my city, I am committed to sharing my love for Avignon with you. With Les Noctambules d’Avignon, I offer you not just a standard tour, but a total immersion in the secrets of our papal city. By day or under the stars, I will personally guide you through our history-steeped streets, sharing fascinating anecdotes that only locals know. My primary goal is to provide you with an unforgettable experience that is warm, authentic and professional. I can also show you the Palais des Papes and other monuments in the region.

Let yourself be seduced by this intimate approach to Avignon’s history. Come and walk in the footsteps of the popes and book your next visit now to create memorable memories in our magnificent Provence! Book now!

L’article The Popes Palace: Treasure of Avignon est apparu en premier sur Les noctambules d'Avignon.

Behind the splendour of medieval Christianity often lay the darkness of the human soul. As a guide for the Noctambules d’Avignon, I walk these streets every night. I know that darkness reveals truths that daylight strives to hide. The dark history of Avignon is fascinating, frightening at times, but always captivating. It attracts those who want to see beyond the official façade.

In this article, I will lift the veil. We will explore the most macabre corners of the Palace, revisit the legends of ghosts that still haunt the old families of Avignon, and understand why, in the 14th century, Avignon was considered by some to be the antechamber of Hell rather than that of Paradise. Prepare to shiver, for history is not always saintly.

Avignon in the 14th century: The ‘Second Babylon’

To understand the dark legends of Avignon, we must delve into the context of the time. When the Popes settled here, fleeing an unstable and dangerous Rome, they transformed a small provincial town into the capital of the Christian world. But this demographic and financial explosion came at a price.

A cesspool of vice and wealth

The poet Petrarch, who lived in Avignon (and met his muse Laura there), did not mince his words. He described the Avignon of the popes as the ‘Second Babylon’ and a ‘cesspool of all vices’. Imagine an overcrowded city where gold flows freely, attracting bankers and artists, but also mercenaries, thieves and courtesans. The ostentatious wealth of the Papal Court rubbed shoulders with the most abject poverty. It was in this fertile ground, made up of glaring inequalities and power struggles, that the darkest legends took root.

The constant fear of poison…

At the Pope’s court, death could strike at every meal. The dark history of Avignon is marked by suspicious deaths. People did not always die of old age at the Palace. The fear of poison was so great that the Popes employed ‘tasters’ and used magical objects, such as the ‘snake’s tongue’ (actually fossilised shark teeth), which were supposed to change colour when they came into contact with poisoned food.

…And murder

This paranoia reached its peak during the grandiose banquets held in the Grand Tinel, the palace’s huge dining hall. Imagine tables laden with pheasants and pike, but with one chilling detail: there was only one knife for the entire service. This precious instrument was locked away in a ship-shaped silverware cabinet (the ‘Padlock’) placed just in front of the Pope. Only the Écuyer Tranchant, a man of absolute trust, was allowed to take it out to carve the meat and fish. Why? To prevent a traitor from slipping a blade coated with poison into the roast. Every bite swallowed by the Holy Father was a victory over death.

The Black Death: When the Apocalypse Descended Upon the City

If there is one event that left an indelible mark on the flesh and soul of Avignon, it is the Great Plague of 1348. This is not a legend, but a historical reality whose horror surpasses all fiction.

The Cursed Year: 1348

In 1348, the Black Death arrived in Avignon, probably via the port of Marseille. It spread like wildfire. In the narrow, unsanitary streets of the medieval city, the epidemic wreaked unimaginable havoc. It is estimated that half of Avignon’s population perished in a matter of months. Chroniclers of the time described scenes of apocalypse: carts overflowing with corpses, entire families walled up alive in their homes in an attempt to stem the contagion, and an omnipresent smell of death hanging over the Rhône valley.

Pope Clement VI caught between two fires

The most striking image from this period concerns Pope Clement VI. To escape the plague, his doctors ordered him to isolate himself in his private apartments in the Palais des Papes and to light two large bonfires that were kept burning day and night. The Pope had to sit between these two walls of fire, in the stifling heat of the Provençal summer, to ‘purify the air’. Imagine this sovereign pontiff, the most powerful man in the West, holed up in the darkness, surrounded by flames, listening to the death rattles of his dying city outside.

The Rhône enters the dark history of Avignon

The city’s cemeteries were saturated within a few weeks. Clement VI had to make an unprecedented theological and health decision: he consecrated the Rhône River itself. The river thus became a moving holy land, allowing the bodies of the victims to be thrown into it to give them a Christian burial. Thousands of corpses were thus entrusted to the turbulent waters. It is said that on foggy nights, near the Pont Saint-Bénézet, you can still feel the chill of these souls carried away by the current. Come and listen to these whispers during the Pope’s Night Owl tour.

Queen Jeanne: Sovereign… Murderer?

Among the female figures who haunt the dark history of Avignon, Queen Jeanne of Naples occupies a special place. Her story is a noir novel in itself, mixing sex, power and religion.

A controversial sale

Jeanne was Countess of Provence and Queen of Naples. It was she who, in 1348 (the year of the Plague), sold the city of Avignon to the Pope for a paltry sum: 80,000 florins. Legend has it that she never saw any of the money, as the Pope paid in ‘indulgences’ (forgiveness of her sins). And it was said that she had many sins to be forgiven. This transaction sealed Avignon’s fate for centuries, making it a papal enclave in the middle of the Kingdom of France.

The assassination of Andrew of Hungary

Why did Joan need the Pope’s protection so badly? Because she was accused of orchestrating the murder of her first husband, Andrew of Hungary. It is said that he was strangled and hanged from his bedroom window. Joan took refuge in Avignon for her trial, presided over by the Pope himself. She was acquitted (probably in exchange for the city), but her reputation as a ‘bloody queen’ and manipulator never left her. Some say that her tormented and passionate spirit still haunts the old mansions where she stayed.

The darkest chapter in Avignon’s history: the Massacre of La Glacière

Let’s skip forward a few centuries. Although the popes had left, blood continued to be shed. One of the most horrific episodes in Avignon’s history took place during the French Revolution in October 1791. It was the infamous ‘Massacre of La Glacière’.

A prison turned tomb

The Palais des Papes, deserted by the pontiffs, was then used as a prison. Against a backdrop of civil war between supporters of annexation to France and followers of the Pope, tensions exploded. After the lynching of a revolutionary administrator, the reprisals were terrible. Around sixty political prisoners (men, women and even priests) were summarily executed within the walls of the Palace.

The Latrine Tower

What makes the story particularly macabre is the method used. The bodies, some still dying, were thrown into the ‘Latrine Tower’ (also known as the Glacière Tower). It is said that to cover the screams and the smell, quicklime was thrown on the pile of bodies. This tower still exists today. When you visit the Palace, you can still see a small door at its base. It was used to remove the decomposing bodies. This story is told during the Noctambule between Bourgeois and Chrétiens.

Witchcraft, Alchemy and the Occult Sciences

The Popes of Avignon were men of faith, but also men of their time, curious and sometimes superstitious. The boundary between science, religion and magic was very blurred at that time.

John XXII: The Alchemist Pope?

Pope John XXII is a fascinating figure. He is said to have had a passion for alchemy, the science of transforming lead into gold and discovering the elixir of life. Although he officially condemned witchcraft in a papal bull, rumour has it that he had a secret laboratory in the heart of his episcopal palace. It is said that he sought to amass immense wealth not only through taxation, but also through the transmutation of metals. Did he succeed? The popes’ treasure has mysteriously disappeared over the centuries, fuelling all kinds of speculation. A quick reminder: John XXII lived to the age of 90…

The trial of the Knights Templar and the curse

Although the suppression of the Order of the Temple was initiated before the Popes settled permanently in Avignon, the shadow of the Knights Templar looms over the region. Many Knights Templar were interrogated and tortured in the prisons of the Comtat Venaissin. The famous curse of Jacques de Molay, Grand Master of the Order, promising divine punishment to the Pope and the King, resonates particularly strongly here. The tragic and rapid end of the Capetian dynasty and the incessant troubles of the Avignon papacy are often interpreted by esoteric enthusiasts as the fulfilment of this prophecy.

If you enjoy these mysterious stories, you should know that Villeneuve-lez-Avignon, just opposite, is also full of secrets linked to cardinals and their religious orders. Explore the mysteries of the City of Cardinals in Villeneuve lez Avignon.

Is the Palace haunted? Testimonials and Rumours

This is the question everyone asks during our night tours. Can a 700-year-old building, which has seen so much power, death and suffering, be completely ‘empty’?

Unexplained phenomena

Over the decades, night watchmen, guides and visitors have reported strange phenomena. Areas of sudden cold in rooms that are closed in the middle of summer. In some rooms, heavy footsteps can be heard when the Palace is empty. Fleeting shadows glimpsed out of the corner of the eye in the Cloister. Of course, rational minds will talk about draughts and the play of light. But those who have spent a night alone in the Palace often have a more nuanced view in the early hours of the morning.

The Cardinal of Luxembourg

A persistent legend tells of the ghost of Cardinal Pierre de Luxembourg, a young prelate who died in the odour of sanctity but whose soul remained attached to the city. Others speak of soldiers forgotten in the dungeons, whose cries can sometimes be heard coming up through the ventilation ducts. At night, the Palace seems to breathe, to expand. It is a physical sensation that you will not experience during a daytime visit with an audio guide.

If you enjoy these mysterious stories, you should know that Villeneuve-lez-Avignon, just opposite, is also full of secrets linked to cardinals and their religious orders. Explore the mysteries of the City of Cardinals in Villeneuve lez Avignon.

Is the Palace haunted? Testimonials and Rumours

This is the question everyone asks during our night tours. Can a 700-year-old building, which has seen so much power, death and suffering, be completely ‘empty’?

Unexplained phenomena

Over the decades, night watchmen, guides and visitors have reported strange phenomena. Sudden cold spots in rooms that are closed in the middle of summer. In some rooms, heavy footsteps can be heard even though the Palace is empty. Fleeting shadows glimpsed out of the corner of the eye in the Cloister. Of course, rational minds will talk about draughts and the play of light. But those who have spent a night alone in the Palace often have a more nuanced view in the early hours of the morning.

The Cardinal of Luxembourg

A persistent legend tells of the ghost of Cardinal Pierre de Luxembourg, a young prelate who died in a state of sanctity but whose soul remained attached to the city. Others speak of soldiers forgotten in the dungeons, whose cries can sometimes be heard coming up through the ventilation ducts. At night, the Palace seems to breathe, to expand. It is a physical sensation that you will not experience during a daytime visit with an audio guide.

Rue des Teinturiers and its dark waters

Now picturesque, Rue des Teinturiers was once the industrial heart of the city. Working conditions were harsh, and occupational illnesses were common due to the chemicals used in dyeing. The Sorgue River, which powered the water wheels, also carried waste and sometimes bodies. In the evening, when the terraces empty, the atmosphere returns to one of labour and sweat.

Place des Corps Saints

The name alone should give you a clue (holies bodies square). This is where the remains of Pierre de Luxembourg and Saint Bénézet lie. It is a magnificent, lively square, but it is literally built on top of a cemetery. Eating or drinking on this square is a celebration of life over death, which is ultimately a very Avignon tradition.

Why are we attracted to ‘dark tourism’?

Macabre stories fascinate us.

Why are our ‘Noctambules’ tours focusing on dark history so successful?

Catharsis through history

Confronting the horrors of the past is also a way of feeling alive. Listening to the story of the Plague or massacres, comfortably settled in the 21st century, provides a thrill of security. It is also a way of demystifying History with a capital H. By showing that popes were fallible, cruel or fearful men, we make them more human, closer to us.

Learning differently

Emotion is the best vehicle for memorisation. You will probably forget the exact date of the construction of the Garde-Robe Tower. But you will never forget the story of the Pope locked between his braziers to escape the Plague. The approach through storytelling, legend and mystery allows historical knowledge to be anchored without academic boredom. This is our philosophy: to educate through emotion and narrative.

How to experience The Dark History of Avignon

Are you ready to face the ghosts of Avignon? Here’s how to organise your exploration.

Guided night tours

It is difficult to perceive this whole occult dimension on your own. Without a guide to point out architectural details or tell you the precise anecdote at the exact place where it happened, you will miss the essential. Our tours are designed like investigations. We start with the visible traces to trace the invisible thread of history. In the evening, the street lighting creates shadows that naturally dramatise the story.

The dark history of Avignon: When writers tremble

The ‘Black Legend’ of Avignon is not an invention of modern tourist guides. It was forged by the greatest writers in literature, horrified or fascinated by what they saw.

Petrarch and the Hell of the Living

It all began with Petrarch, the great 14th-century Italian poet. Although he met his muse Laura in Avignon, he had a fierce hatred for the papal court. In his Lettres sine nomine, he did not mince his words, describing Avignon as the ‘Second Babylon’, the ‘hotbed of all vices’ and even ‘the sewer of the earth’. For him, the Palace was not a holy place, but a gilded prison where God was absent. These writings have survived the centuries, giving the city a scandalous and ungodly reputation.

Alexandre Dumas and fantasies of torture

In the 19th century, romanticism took hold of the place. Alexandre Dumas, author of The Count of Monte Cristo, visited Avignon during his Impressions de voyage. The Palace, then converted into barracks and a prison, inspired visions of horror in him. In the huge fireplace of the upper kitchen, where whole oxen were roasted for feasts, Dumas believed he saw something else entirely. His imagination ran wild: he described ‘an oven that could have been used to heat instruments of torture’. He saw the military and austere architecture not as protection, but as a threat, stating that ‘its palaces, like its churches, seem like fortresses’.

Michelet and the guardian of Hell

The historian Jules Michelet, during his visit in 1844, added a touch worthy of a horror film. He recounts being guided through the palace’s labyrinthine corridors by an ‘old woman with bright, sinister eyes’, which he describes as ‘two coals on an omelette’. This almost ghostly figure, born within the palace walls (her father was the caretaker), seemed to embody the cursed memory of the place, reinforcing the idea that the palace jealously guarded its secrets.

Respect for the place

Exploring dark history also requires respect. These places have seen real suffering. When we recount the Glacière massacre or the plague epidemic, we do so not out of voyeurism, but out of a duty to remember. It is a way of not forgetting those who made the history of Avignon, often at their own expense.

Will you dare to visit?

Avignon is undeniably a city of light. But its light is all the more beautiful because it casts deep shadows. To learn about the legends, scandals and dramas that have shaken the City of Popes is to understand the true soul of this city, which is unique in the world. It means accepting that beauty and horror have often gone hand in hand over the centuries.

So, the next time you cross the Place du Palais at night, don’t just look at the golden Virgin Mary at the top of the cathedral. Look down at the cobblestones, look into the corners of darkness, and listen carefully. Perhaps you will hear the whisper of a plotting cardinal or the hurried footsteps of an alchemist.

If you want to enjoy this experience in complete safety, guided by an enthusiast who knows how to make silence speak, I’ll be waiting for you. But be warned: after a tour with Les Noctambules, you’ll never look at Avignon in the same way again.

Ready for a thrilling historical adventure? Check our availability and reserve your place in history.

Contact us to book your Noctambule tour.

History awaits you… in the dark.

L’article Legends, ghosts and scandals: The dark history of Avignon est apparu en premier sur Les noctambules d'Avignon.

Consider your mode of transport to the South

Before deciding what to pack, start by choosing your luggage: duffel bag, hard-shell suitcase, with or without wheels. All options are valid. I base my decision on how the suitcase will be carried and handled.

In general, the rule is one bag per able-bodied person—easier to manage than one huge shared suitcase. If traveling as a family, pack shared-use items separately, then distribute them among everyone’s luggage based on available space.

Flying to the South of France

If you’re flying, you’ll have to comply with strict airport security rules: maximum cabin luggage size and weight limits for checked baggage. Don’t try to cheat—rules are enforced.

When flying, I strongly recommend a solid suitcase with a hard shell for the hold, as it protects your belongings. Add a strap through the handle to keep it closed in case the lock breaks or the zipper fails.

Wheeled luggage is essential for airport access ramps, orientation corridors, and large halls. Distances can be athletic! What feels light at home can become a burden in transit.

Train travel to Avignon Centre

You’ll be carrying your luggage to the train platform and through metro corridors, probably in Paris. In this case, wheels are a must. You may face stairs, which are equally tiresome up or down with baggage. Don’t count on escalators—they’re often broken or overcrowded. Once on the train, SNCF offers limited luggage space—bags are stacked roughly. And you’ll need height and strength to pile yours on top.

Don’t forget: identification is mandatory—name, town, and phone number on a disposable paper tag (available for free at ticket counters) or a durable fabric/plastic tag.

Road trip to Provence

Driving is the most convenient way to choose what to pack: short distance from home to trunk and then to your lodging. No wheels needed. I love individual and thematic travel bags—they’re easier to fit in the always-too-small trunk. It’s a real-life game of Tetris to avoid having the cooler end up on someone’s lap!

Avignon is still France!

Plenty of blogs offer packing lists for Provence, but the “just in case” sections are often overkill. You risk overpacking with things you could easily find on-site. Yes, even if Avignon feels far from home, it has the same shops and pharmacies as your own town. Don’t bother packing a box of band-aids—you’ll find some if needed, and bring them back home if unused. Not the other way around!

What if you must check out early?

If you must vacate your accommodation early on the last day, how can you enjoy your final hours without lugging bags? In case you’re driving, problem solved—leave them in the car (ideally parked in the shade and secure, especially if perishables are inside).

If using public transport, look for luggage lockers. Most tourist spots offer luggage storage. When in doubt, ask a staff member if they can hold your bag during your visit—and don’t forget a small tip when you retrieve it. Airports and train stations (TGV or regional) also have lockers for small bags and suitcases.

Clothes for a comfortable vacation

Let’s talk about how to make sure you don’t forget anything when packing for Avignon.

Tip 1: Lay out everything you plan to take on your bed or table. One pile per complete outfit per day: top and bottom, underwear, shoes, accessories.
Bonus for women: A dress takes up less space than a t-shirt + skirt or blouse + pants. This becomes strategic when trying to fit everything in your suitcase.

Once in the South, the heat will drive you straight to the shower after your daily activities. You won’t want to wear the same sweaty clothes again—so a second set of evening outfits is essential. Add a light sweater to each pile.

Take a break here—you’ll probably panic: there’s no way it will all fit in your suitcase!

Make everything match to save space

Tip 2: Reduce the bulky accessories. For example, if dress A goes with shoes A and dress B with shoes B, find an alternative dress A’ that also goes with shoes A. Replace B with A’, and you’ve halved your shoe load!

This also applies to sweaters for cool evenings: choose one that matches all outfits. A basic cardigan or hoodie is your best friend here.

Beware of A/C in Southern France

Let’s address the cold lurking in Provence. Tourists wrongly assume heat is constant. Outside, yes. Inside? Drastically different. On August 25, a roommate once got up to add a duvet because the A/C was freezing. That’s right: air conditioning!

In Normandy, a hot day means 22–28°C, with cool indoor temps around 20–25°C (a 5°C difference).
In Avignon, outdoor temps hit 31–38°C, while indoors stays at 20–25°C, often a 10°C drop.

Most public places are air-conditioned:

• Museums
• Theaters
• Restaurants
• Hotel rooms
• Mid- to high-end shops

So, always carry a warm top and perhaps a light scarf to protect your throat.

How many clothes to pack?

If there’s one thing not to pack for Avignon, it’s laundry detergent. Even space-saving versions are unnecessary.

With 2 outfits per day and interchangeable pieces, you already have backup plans for spills or extra changes.

Still, if you must wash something, use what you have: soap, body wash, shampoo. Scrub in the sink, rinse well, hand-wring, and hang on a hanger (they can go anywhere: shower, window, balcony, tree…). Several hanging clothes can give your rental a charming Italian vibe.

For longer stays, use hotel laundry or a laundromat—often found near rural supermarkets with 30-minute quick cycles and detergent included.

What to pack for windy weather?

The Mistral—a strong Southern wind—is rare in summer but not impossible. Be prepared with:

• A windbreaker (not necessarily warm, just windproof: raincoat, K-way, canvas jacket). Wool sweaters don’t block wind.
• Hair accessories: If your hair goes past your jawline, it’ll go wild in the wind. Pack clips, headbands, ties, scarves, or bandanas.

Anti-fatigue footwear for exploring Avignon

Shoes deserve their own section in your packing decisions. The challenge is to balance:

• Comfort for walking (on cobblestones or trails)
• Style that matches your outfits
• Breathability to prevent swelling
• Compact size for your suitcase

Ideal shoe types:

• Canvas or leather ballet flats (not tight)
• Ankle-strap sandals
• Comfortable flip-flops
• Espadrilles, fitted with or without ankle ties

Avoid heels or platforms. Choose flat models.
Reapply the “everything matches everything” rule to reduce how many pairs you bring.

What to pack besides clothes?

Once you add pajamas, the essentials are mostly done. But here’s the rest—the “essential extras” you’ll need in Provence:

Preparing for the sun

Provence promises sunshine, but we Northerners aren’t used to it. Here’s how to co-exist with that bright beast:

Avoid sunburn:

• Hat or cap: Fabric can be soaked to cool your head.
• Quality sunglasses: UV rays damage your eyes just like skin. Unprotected, your vision may age prematurely.

If you forget, replacements are a must and easy to find at gas stations, train stations, or airports.

Strong sunscreen: I prefer roller applicators for clean hands and easy reapplication. Kids’ versions are tinted to show coverage.
Lip balm for sun protection.
After-sun care: Soothing body lotion, moisturizing hair care, nourishing lip balm.

Skip last year’s leftover bottles—sun filters degrade quickly. You’ll find fresh ones on-site with local discounts.

Enjoying the good weather

Pack a swimsuit—pools are everywhere (rental homes, hotels), and the sea is nearby. Consider if you’ll bring fun gear like floats or beach games.

For active holidays

Bring the right documents if planning sports:

• Medical certificate for new activities
• Membership card for your sport—avoid being stuck with beginners if you’re advanced
• Consider packing your technical gear

Beating the Southern heat

Sun = heat, and it can sneak up on you. Don’t overdo it. Pack smart:

Easy-access items:

• Pocket fan and/or hand fan
• Spray mister

Optional depending on your body’s needs:

• Anti-migraine meds (tailored to hot conditions)
• Supplements for leg fatigue
• Anti-sweat hygiene products (including shampoo)
• Heat-adapted makeup
• Shaving/waxing supplies—heat can accelerate hair growth

The mosquito war

Yes, they love tourists in Provence! Their favorite meal? Tender skin under lightweight clothing.

Buy your mosquito gear on-site:

• Preventive lotions for people and pets
• Soothing creams for bites
• Diffusers for room or car use

Avoiding pickpockets

Tourists aren’t the only ones enjoying Avignon’s streets. Alongside beggars, pickpockets lurk. These petty thefts can ruin a trip.

Leave your regular handbag behind. In the heat, it’ll feel heavy and insecure.

Use a crossbody pouch or fanny pack worn across your chest. Keep essentials (ID, phone, keys, money) close and zipped.

Also, keep copies of key documents (license, tickets, prescriptions) in your luggage at your lodging. Just in case.

Keywords to help you pack

I won’t give you a checklist of t-shirts and underwear. You’re not going to summer camp. If you can organize a trip to Southern France, you can apply and adapt this advice.

Here are the main packing themes for Avignon:

• Transport method
• No “just in case” overload
• Mix-and-match outfits
• Overzealous A/C
• Mistral wind
• Flat, light shoes
• Blazing sun
• Sports activities
• Oppressive heat
• Mosquito defense
• Theft prevention

The best way to avoid heat and sun? Visit Provence at night!

We offer many nighttime tours that will enchant you—without the suffering.

L’article What to pack for a summer trip to Avignon est apparu en premier sur Les noctambules d'Avignon.

Unusual visits around Avignon:
Discover the heritage of Roquemaure by canoe

If you ask people from Avignon or the surrounding area about places to visit, I guarantee you that no one will spontaneously mention Roquemaure. Yet this village has an important past that is unfortunately disappearing. The Greater Avignon Tourist Office has decided to create a fun activity for the general public based on this heritage.

History of Roquemaure

The history of Roquemaure is incredible. There are two particularly important events.

The death of Clement V

Let’s go back in time to 1314… Clement V, the very first pope of Avignon , felt that the end was near. Nostalgic for his beloved Gascony, he decided to set off one last time for his native land.

But the journey is long. Clément stopped off at the Château de Roquemaure, unaware that he would never leave again. It was here, within the walls of this beautiful residence, that he breathed his last on April 20, 1314.

A royal end of life in a place steeped in history… Roquemaure thus becomes the scene of the last chapter of an extraordinary pope!

The Côtes-du-Rhône appellation

The Uzès region was then split in two, and King Louis XV, a lover of good wine (or at least well-advised), had an idea in mind: to give the Roquemaure region a true viticultural identity.

On September 27, 1729, he issued his first royal edict. So, in 1731, he did it again, with a much tougher version:

“All barrels of wine from Roquemaure and neighboring villages – Tavel, Lirac, Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres, Saint-Geniès-de-Comolas, Orsan, Chusclan, Codolet, etc. – are to be bottled and sold in the winery. – If they are of superior quality, they should be fire-marked with the letters C.D.R., for “Côte du Rhône”, and the year of the vintage. But only when they’re full!”

And thus was born one of the most famous appellations on the wine planet: Côtes-Du-Rhône. A little royal stamp, and an entire region becomes legendary!

Would you like to discover Roquemaure in a different way?

Forget the usual tours and join Claire for an extraordinary adventure… in a canoe!

Roquemaure’s history is far richer than most people imagine. And to unlock its secrets, Claire offers you an original, gentle canoe trip along an old canal that’s now unused… but perfect for exploring!

As you glide along, you’ll catch a glimpse of the remains of the château and the river toll, before passing under the old bridge. Then it’s back to nature: lush vegetation surrounds you, like a green jewel case around history.

Accessible to all, even non-athletes, this walk is ideal for families. This new way of looking at monuments changes everything: you understand better, you feel more, you really marvel.

Claire is the ideal person for this tour: smiling, dynamic, ultra knowledgeable about her city. With her, there’s no time to get bored – between anecdotes, landscapes and good humor, you’ll love it!

Practical information

This activity is available in July and August every Wednesday at 2pm. Booking is compulsory. Visit the Canoës de Vaucluse website.

The nigh owl of Villeneuve lez Avignon

Villeneuve lez Avignon has always grown up in the shadow of its big sister Avignon. Although the two towns are linked by destiny and geography, Villeneuve has a very different development and history from Avignon.

History of Villeneuve lez Avignon

Villeneuve lez Avignon is much more than a pretty name: it’s a town built around two emblematic monuments, between spirituality and royal strategy. On one side, Saint-André Abbey. On the other, the Philippe le Bel tower. Two pillars of a fascinating history…

Saint-André Abbey: between mysticism and power

It all began in 856 with Casarie, a woman retreating to a hermitage on Mount Andaon. On December 8, she breathed her last. Her husband – yes, her husband! – was none other than Valens, bishop of Avignon. Moved, he had an oratory built over her tomb. Pilgrims soon flocked to the site, miracles began to happen… and in 976, construction began on a large abbey.

Definitively christened “Saint-André” by Pope Gregory V, the abbey became a power in the south of France, rivalling… Avignon itself!

But the big break came during the Albigensian Crusade: in 1226, the Avignonnais closed their doors to King Louis VIII. A strategic error… He laid siege to the city for 3 months. And then, as if by magic, Abbot Bernard de Clausonne seized the opportunity and signed a “contract of betage” with the king. It was the first time a French king had taken an interest in this bank of the Rhône.

The Philippe le Bel tower: a king, a bridge, a tower

Decades later, his great-grandson, Philippe le Bel, came on the scene. In 1292, a new pledge contract was signed with the abbot. This time, the project was ambitious: to build a fortified village to control the French bank of the Rhône.

He built a châtelet at the mouth of the Pont Saint-Bénézet – built a century earlier – with an imposing tower overlooking the river. Today, only the keep remains, but what a keep it is! It proudly bears the name of its builder: Philippe le Bel. A royal lookout facing Avignon.

A mystical abbey, a strategic tower… Villeneuve lez Avignon has seen its history unfold between prayer and power, monastic silence and royal ambitions. A fascinating duality to discover on site!

Unusual visits around Avignon:
What if the night revealed another facet of Avignon?

When the city falls asleep, its history slowly awakens… In the calm of the alleyways and under the golden glow of the streetlamps, the city’s heritage is revealed in all its intimacy.

Les Noctambules d’Avignon invites you to experience a timeless, starlit adventure. And what better gateway than the majestic Tour Philippe le Bel, stone guardian of Villeneuve lez Avignon’s royal past?

Along the way, you’ll delve into the secrets of the town: the influence of the Avignon popes, the remains of the old hospital, the symbols engraved in the stone… clues left there like whispers of yesteryear.

The tour ends in style at Fort Saint-André, where the history of Villeneuve-lez-Avignon began. A grandiose finale, between light and shadow, that will make you see the town in a whole new light.

A magical nocturnal stroll, ideal for those who love stories, mysteries and the gentle emotions of the evening. Let yourself be guided… the night belongs to the curious.

Practical information

Every Monday evening from April to the end of September, you can take part in the night owl of Villeneuve lez Avignon. Departure times are between 8:30pm and 9:30pm. Groups are limited to 10 people. Reservations are required.

L’article Unusual visits around Avignon est apparu en premier sur Les noctambules d'Avignon.

Avignon and monkeys: a special story

This isn’t the first time that the city of Avignon has had an affair with monkeys. One of these children became world-famous with this animal

Pierre Boulle: an extraordinary Avignon man

Pierre Boulle was born at number 25, rue des études, on February 20, 1912. His father, Eugène Jean Baptiste Boulle (1880-1926), an eccentric lawyer, contributed theatrical columns to a local newspaper. On July 23, 1908, he married Juliette Marie Thérèse Seguin, daughter of the newspaper’s director, in Avignon. Pierre enjoyed a very close relationship with his father: they shared a passion for literature, books, hunting and games. Even the First World War did not seem to alter the serenity of his childhood. He grew up peacefully alongside his parents and his two sisters, Suzanne and Madeleine. Towards the end of the war, in 1918, he entered the junior classes at the Lycée d’Avignon.

His father’s death changed his life. He left to work in Asia. It was there that he spent the Second World War. This experience inspired his third novel.

The Bridge on the River Kwai

In 1950, Pierre Boulle published his third novel, The Bridge on the River Kwai. It was this novel that brought him worldwide recognition.

In 1952, Pierre Boulle received the Prix Sainte-Beuve, awarded each year to a writer in the “novels and essays” category.

In 1957, it was adapted by David Lean. It was the biggest film success of the year.

Planet of the Apes

Planet of the Apes, considered a classic of science fiction and Pierre Boulle’s major work, was a huge success from the moment it was published in 1963. Since then, the novel has given rise to ten American film adaptations between 1968 and 2024, as well as two TV series broadcast in 1974 and 1975, not to mention the numerous comic strips based on it.

In the book, Professor Antelle organizes an expedition to the star Betelgeuse. He is accompanied by the physicist Levain and Ulysse Mérou, a journalist who becomes the story’s narrator and main character. They discover a planet very similar to Earth, named Soror, and decide to explore it. But their astonishment soon turns to horror when they realize that this world is dominated by apes, while humans are hunted down like wild beasts…

None of the film adaptations have really respected Boulle’s version.

I can’t recommend reading the book enough. Even if you didn’t like the films.

More than 50 years later, Avignon is reconnecting with the monkeys thanks to street artist Zorm.

Interview with Zorm, a new street artist.

Zorm is a French artist trained as a stonemason.

Where does the name come from?

The name is linked to my family name. There’s also a reference to Zorro, the masked hero. It also echoes the word zoo.

What do you like about street art?

The street is a great place to see art. It’s like a museum, but accessible to everyone. The work takes on another dimension and history depending on the history of the street and the architecture. For example, the monkey’s head on the house of Pierre Boule (author of Planet of the Apes) takes on a different meaning.

Street art is open to everyone. You don’t need to have a particular culture or sensibility to see and appreciate the works. It really is for everyone.

What’s more, you’ve got plenty of ways of expressing yourself: Graffiti, stencils, sculpture, etc.

How long have you been doing street art?

I started again in February 2018 with this monkey heads project. Before that, in 2006, I had put up pig heads in the twentieth arrondissement of Paris.

Why do you depict monkey heads?

In my work, I’m more interested in animals than humans. They’re very close to us, but we’re destroying them. I express our humanity through the monkey. I was inspired by the Bonobos, a species close to us but on the verge of extinction. Despite this, I depict them smiling, because I want to keep an optimistic side to my work.

Monkey head in Avignon

What are your sources of inspiration?

In street art, there aren’t many 3D works. So I draw my inspiration from other arts. I draw a lot of my inspiration from sculptors. My inspirations are varied. They range from Michelangelo’s work on a single block to Ron Mueck’s hyperrealistic sculptures. After that, I prefer to work with my feelings rather than draw inspiration from them.

You have one of your works on the Popes’ Palace.

What do you say to people who think you’re distorting this monument?

I don’t think I’m distorting the monument. At the Palais des Papes, for example, each stone has its own history. During the revolution, statues were decapitated. Street art is a new art form that’s evolving. It’s another form of history written on walls. We use walls to say things, to make people react.

Is there anywhere you’d like to put your head?

No, there’s no specific place. Each place has its own interest.

Street artist in Avignon

Do you see yourself becoming a street artist exclusively?

The monkey head project took shape this year, so I don’t have a longer-term vision. But for me, street art is a way of expressing myself.

If you want to follow Zorm’s work, you can subscribe to his Instagram account.

L’article Meeting with a street artist est apparu en premier sur Les noctambules d'Avignon.

From flamboyant Gothic to sober Romanesque, from discreet chapels to majestic cathedrals, each church tells a page in Avignon’s history. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, a history buff or just a curious walker, these places invite you to contemplate and marvel.

In this article, we take a look at the five most beautiful churches in Avignon – those whose beauty, uniqueness or historical importance make them absolutely worth a visit.

Number 5 most beautiful churches in Avignon: The collegiate church of Saint Agricole

Located in the heart of Avignon, the collegiate church of Saint Agricol is an emblematic building that bears witness to the city’s rich history and spirituality.

History of the church

Saint Agricol, born around 630, was bishop of Avignon from 660 to 700. Renowned for his charity towards the poor and the sick, he founded a church on the site of what is now the collegiate church. After his death, he was venerated as the patron saint of Avignon, and his relics are now kept in the church that bears his name. A miracle is attributed to him. After yet another flood, the city suffered from an invasion of snakes. Saint Agricol prayed and a horde of storks came to rid the town of the invaders. The church’s stained glass windows show Saint Agricol with a stork holding out a snake.

Visit the church

The current building, constructed in the early XIVᵉ century on the foundations of the primitive church, was elevated to the rank of collegiate church by Pope John XXII in 1321. Built in the Gothic style, the collegiate church of Saint Agricol is the only church in Avignon of this period to have side aisles. Its facade, built in 1485 by Antoine Colin of Lyon and Didier Millot of Toul, features a polychrome tympanum sculpted by Ferrier Bernard in 1488-1489.

The interior of the church contains numerous works of art, including paintings by Simon de Châlons and Nicolas Mignard, as well as tombs and various inscriptions. The Baroque main altar, sculpted by Jean-Baptiste II Péru in 1767, contains the relics of Saint Agricol and his father, Saint Magnus.

The collegiate church is open to visitors all year round. Opening times are as follows: Monday to Friday from 10am to 7pm, Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday from 9.30am to 12pm. Masses are celebrated from Monday to Friday at 6.30pm, and on Sundays at 10.30am. These times are subject to change depending on the availability of supervisory staff.

Number 4: Notre dame des Doms

Standing majestically on the rock of Les Doms, Notre Dame des Doms cathedral is the spiritual heart of Avignon and one of its most emblematic buildings.

History of the church

Built in the XIIᵉ century, at a time when Avignon was becoming a major religious centre, it is a remarkable example of Provençal Romanesque art. Erected on a formerly pagan site dedicated to the goddess Diana, the cathedral was consecrated in 1111, then modified over the centuries: a bell tower rebuilt in the 15th century, a Baroque apse added in the 17th, and the famous golden statue of the Virgin Mary, over 6 metres high, placed at the top of the bell tower in 1859, the protective symbol of the city. It is the only Roman-style church in the city, and the only one with more than one style inside.

Inside the church

At the entrance, two statues watch over visitors: Saint Martha and Saint Mary Magdalene, biblical figures deeply rooted in the legends of Provence. According to Provençal tradition, these two saints landed in the Camargue after fleeing persecution in the Holy Land. Marie-Madeleine is said to have lived as a hermit in the Sainte Baume cave, while Marthe is said to have evangelised Tarascon and struck down the Tarasque, a legendary monster. Their symbolic presence at the entrance to the cathedral is a reminder of the local roots of these holy stories and the role played by women in spreading Christianity in Provence.

The cathedral’s interior also contains some real treasures: the Gothic mausoleum of Pope John XXII, a work of great finesse from the 14th century, the white marble episcopal cathedra dating from the Romanesque period, and several richly decorated chapels. The church suffered greatly during the French Revolution. Used as a stable, all the murals disappeared. It was only after the signing of the Concordat that it became a cathedral again. Today, it is a private church with 19th-century furniture and paintings, but if you look hard enough, you’ll discover paintings from the Middle Ages.

The cathedral is open to visitors all year round. Opening times vary according to the season, but in general it welcomes visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, with Masses celebrated during the week at 7.30am and on Sundays at 11am. As well as being an active place of worship, it is a must-see for anyone wishing to understand the soul of Avignon.

Number 3: The Church of the Black Penitents

Nestling in the heart of Avignon, the Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs is a jewel of Baroque art, bearing witness to the rich tradition of the brotherhoods of penitents that have marked the city’s religious history.

The Brotherhoods of Penitents in Avignon

The Confréries de Pénitents are associations of lay Catholics dedicated to prayer, penance and works of charity. First appearing in Italy in the XIIᵉ century, they quickly spread to France. Avignon, in particular, saw the birth of several of these confraternities, each identified by the colour of its members’ habit. The first of these, the Confrérie des Pénitents Gris, was founded in 1226 by King Louis VIII, following the siege of Avignon. Others followed, notably the Pénitents Noirs, Blancs, Bleus, Violets and Rouges, each group adopting specific missions, such as assisting the sick, prisoners or those condemned to death.

The Chapel of the Pénitents Noirs

The Confrérie des Pénitents Noirs de la Miséricorde was founded in 1586 by Pompey Catilina, a Florentine nobleman and colonel of the Papal infantry in Avignon. This brotherhood was mainly dedicated to helping those condemned to death and the mentally ill. In fact, when you enter the church, on your left you will find an urn for donations to those condemned to death and on the other side an urn for donations to the insane (mentally ill). In 1591, it acquired the Notre-Dame de Fenouillet chapel in rue de la Banasterie, which became their place of worship. The chapel underwent a number of transformations over the centuries, including a partial reconstruction in 1739 by the architect Thomas Lainée, who designed the current façade featuring a bas-relief depicting the head of Saint John the Baptist. It is the only church in Avignon in the Baroque style.

Listed as a Historic Monument in 1906, the chapel has been restored to preserve its rich artistic heritage. The interior houses works by renowned painters such as Nicolas Mignard, Pierre and Joseph François Parrocel, and Reynaud Levieux, although some of the original canvases were dispersed during the Revolution.

Opening times and Offices

The chapel is open to visitors all year round, mainly on Saturdays from 2pm to 5pm. From 1 April to 30 September, it is also open on Fridays at the same times. In July, visits are by appointment only. Admission is free.

Religious services are held here by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX). Sunday mass is at 10am, and during the week, masses are celebrated on Thursdays at 6.30pm (except in July) and on Saturdays at 11.15am (except in July).

The Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs is a living testimony to the spirituality and charitable commitment of the brotherhoods of Avignon over the centuries.

Number 2: Saint-Pierre Basilica, the most beautiful Gothic façade in Avignon

Located in the heart of Avignon, Saint-Pierre Basilica is a remarkable Gothic building. It has the most beautiful flamboyant Gothic façade in the city. It’s one of the many reasons why I’ve chosen to list this church as one of the most beautiful in Avignon.

History of Saint-Pierre church

According to tradition, a first church was built on this site in the VIIᵉ century, then destroyed by the Saracens. Its reconstruction began in the XIVᵉ century thanks to the generosity of Cardinal Pierre des Prés, who in 1358 financed the construction of the canons’ buildings and the cloister, which has now disappeared. Pope Innocent VI then elevated the church to the rank of collegiate church. In the XVᵉ century, side chapels were added and the nave was enlarged, giving the building its current size.

Why visit this church?

One of the treasures of the basilica is its monumental solid walnut portals, commissioned in 1551 by the wealthy merchant Michel Lopis and created by the sculptor Antoine Volard. Each doorway is four metres high and decorated with porticoes in relief depicting figures under three-dimensional arches. The central overmantel is topped by a remarkable sculpted canopy, housing a statue of the Virgin and Child attributed to Jean Péru. They are considered to be the finest example of Provençal mannerism.

The basilica also houses the relics of Blessed Pierre de Luxembourg, bishop of Metz and cardinal in the XIVᵉ century, known for his piety and charity towards the poor. He died in 1387 at the age of 18 and was beatified in 1527. His relics, notably his dalmatic and cardinal’s hat, are carefully preserved in the church, testifying to his spiritual importance to the city of Avignon. Legend has it that over 1,900 miracles took place at his tomb.

The interior of the basilica is adorned with numerous works of art, including paintings by Simon de Châlons, Joseph Parrocel and Nicolas Mignard, enriching the cultural heritage of this sacred building. Like all the town’s religious monuments, the church suffered during the French Revolution. It is still possible to imagine its former luxury.

St Peter’s Basilica, a listed historic monument since 1840, remains a place of meditation and discovery for believers and tourists alike. Opening times depend on the availability of the volunteers who look after the church.

The most beautiful church in Avignon: the collegiate church of Saint-Didier

Located in the heart of Avignon’s historic centre, the collegiate church of Saint-Didier is without doubt one of the city’s most beautiful churches. It is a jewel of the Southern Gothic style. It was built between 1356 and 1359 thanks to the generosity of Cardinal Bertrand de Déaux. Its elegant sobriety is inspired by Cistercian art, which was very much in vogue at the papal court in Avignon. Its imposing octagonal bell tower and single vaulted nave create a space that is both majestic and refined, ideal for meditation.

The treasure of Saint-Didier church

The church is also home to a number of spiritual and artistic treasures. Among them is the tomb of Saint-Bénézet, the famous builder of the Pont d’Avignon. Just opposite is that of Blessed Pierre de Luxembourg, a young cardinal with an exceptional destiny. Both were initially buried in the Célestins church. Their relics were transferred to Saint-Didier during the French Revolution to protect them from desecration. Their presence here gives the church a unique aura, steeped in history and devotion.

Among the masterpieces preserved at Saint-Didier is The Carrying of the Cross, a striking bas-relief created in 1478 by Francesco Laurana at the request of King René of Anjou. This monumental work, considered to be one of the earliest marks of the Renaissance in France, bears witness to the artistic refinement of Avignon at the end of the Middle Ages.

Visit the church

The collegiate church of Saint-Didier, recognised as a historic monument in 1983, welcomes visitors all year round. Access is free, but silence is required. It remains a living place of prayer and remembrance. To find out about mass times or guided tours, please contact the parish directly.

Discover the churches in Avignon by night

Les Noctambules d’Avignon invites you to discover the churches in Avignon on a variety of routes. Come and discover the history of these churches and their charm with public lighting. Book your experience now so you don’t miss out on this unique discovery.

L’article 5 most beautiful churches in Avignon est apparu en premier sur Les noctambules d'Avignon.

1-What to do in Avignon: Visit the city’s historic past

To visit Avignon is to immerse yourself in a setting steeped in history, where every stone seems to tell a chapter of the past. As you stroll through the cobbled streets, you’ll soon realise why this city has fascinated popes, artists and travellers over the centuries.

At the heart of the city, the Popes Palace dominates the skyline with its imposing walls and castle-like appearance. This gigantic Gothic edifice, witness to the period when Avignon was the seat of the papacy in the 14th century, is as impressive for its architecture as for the solemn atmosphere that reigns there.

A little further down the Rhône, you can see the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet, whose broken arches seem to float between sky and water. Although it no longer leads anywhere, it remains one of the city’s most poetic symbols.

As you continue your stroll, you’ll come across a number of ancient churches, often discreet on the outside but full of charm and surprises on the inside. These peaceful places, sometimes overlooked by the usual tourist circuits, are a great place to stop and feel the spiritual heart of Avignon beating.

Don’t hesitate to lose yourself in the narrow streets to discover the hidden treasures on the facades, the secret courtyards and the charming little squares that recall the city’s historic past.

2- The city’s exceptional museums

Avignon has just been named the most cultural city in France. And it has to be said that this title is richly deserved. As well as its theatre festival, which we’ll talk about later, Avignon has a host of museums with masterpieces inside.

Municipal museums

There are 5 municipal museums in Avignon, each a showcase for the city’s culture and history.

• The Requien Museum: This natural history museum houses the works of Jean Henri Fabre and other collections.
• Musée Lapidaire: housed in the former Jesuit church, this museum boasts an impressive collection of Roman and Greek artefacts.
• Le palais du Roure : this is the only museum in Avignon to focus on Provençal culture, with its famous félibres. A plunge into the early 20th century and the Provençal language.
• The Musée Calvet: this museum boasts an impressive collection of works of art dating from ancient Egypt to the 19th century. You’ll come across the first Avignonnais, a funerary stele dating from the Neolithic period, as well as works by Joseph Vernet, a renowned painter from Avignon.
• The Petit Palais: this is the finest municipal museum. Its setting is a former cardinal’s livery, and its collection is the largest collection of Italian primitives in France. The visit ends on a high note with the discovery of two paintings by Sandro Botticelli. This is the museum not to be missed on a visit to Avignon.

Private museums

In addition to these municipal museums, the city of Avignon has a number of private museums housing collections that are unique in the world.

• The Lambert collection: this fine collection assembled by Yvon Lambert since the 1960s can now be seen in Avignon. Among the masterpieces on display are works by Basquiat, Barcelo, Goldin, Matta-Clark and many others. The 450 works on display will delight contemporary art lovers.
• The Musée Angladon: This is my favourite museum in Avignon. It boasts an impressive collection of works by Picasso, Cézanne, Degas, Manet, Mondigliani, Van Gogh and many others. The atmosphere is family-friendly, and every summer the museum offers a temporary collection of the highest quality. A must-see if you want to know what to do in Avignon.

3-Les halles: discover the flavours of the region

Once you’ve explored the historic heart of Avignon, you’ll want to stop off at Place Pie, where the city’s taste buds and gourmet soul beat: Les Halles. Behind its astonishing green façade, covered with climbing plants, this large covered market has been home to around forty local traders, craftsmen and producers since the 1970s.

As you enter, you are immediately enveloped by the scents of Provence: fresh olives, aromatic herbs, mature cheeses, warm breads… It’s a veritable theatre of flavours and colours, where the stalls are overflowing with local produce. You’ll come across both regular shoppers and chefs looking for inspiration, because Les Halles is an institution for the people of Avignon. The atmosphere is warm, punctuated by singing accents, laughter and sound advice.

To linger here is to sample another face of the city, more intimate, more lively, where history blends with everyday life in a well-established culinary tradition. And for the curious, a number of fine restaurants surround the square, perfect for extending the experience by sampling the best the market has to offer.

Practical information:

Opening times: Tuesday to Friday: 6am to 1.30pm

Saturday and Sunday: 6am to 2pm

Prices: free of charge

4- Discover local beers in a magical setting

We’re not going to lie to ourselves. L’explo bar has everything it takes to be declared the best bar in Avignon.

Let’s start with the location. The bar is located on the corner of rue des teinturiers and rue des lices. Its terrace is at the foot of the Cordeliers bell tower and the Sorgue flows below. In summer, it’s a quiet place, steeped in history and the starting point for a good evening out. At weekends, concerts are held on the terrace, making it even more enjoyable.

Products on offer: you’ll discover a wide choice of beers. What they all have in common is that they are all home-made and from the region. For those who don’t drink beer, there’s a wide choice of homemade fruit juices and lemonade.

The staff: you’ll always be greeted with a smile. Their patience, professionalism and advice will make your evening a delight.

Practical information:

Opening times: 5pm to 1am

For more information, click here

5- Stroll along the Rhône at La Barthelasse

Just a stone’s throw from the city centre, a simple bridge is all it takes to change the atmosphere completely: cross the Rhône and you’re on the Ile de la Barthelasse, one of the largest river areas in Europe. Here, the pace slows and the noise of the city fades, replaced by birdsong and the rustle of poplar trees.

The island offers a peaceful natural setting, almost timeless, ideal for a walk or cycle ride, with the family or on your own. The shady paths along the banks offer some of the best views of the Avignon ramparts, with the Palais des Papes in the background – a particularly magical panorama at sunset.

Once a farming area, Barthelasse has retained its rural character, with orchards, farms and even a few ‘guinguettes’ (taverns) where you can enjoy a meal in fine weather. It’s a special place, where you can recharge your batteries, picnic or simply enjoy a moment of peace and quiet across the river from the city. A real break from nature, just a stone’s throw from history.

In summer, you can take a canoe trip along the banks of the Barthelasse. You can pass under the Pont d’Avignon for a unique view of the city and its bridge.

6- What to do in Avignon: visit the city by bike

Exploring Avignon by bike is a gentle and pleasant way to explore the city while enjoying its light, lively streets and changing landscapes. Whether you’re skirting the ramparts, crossing the small shady squares or venturing along the cycle paths towards the Ile de la Barthelasse, cycling is an easy way to get to know the different faces of the city.

It’s also a real pleasure to be able to get out of the often crowded historic centre and stroll along the banks of the Rhône or through the quieter districts, all within a few pedal strokes. Well-designed itineraries allow you to combine heritage and nature, culture and relaxation, while avoiding the main roads.

You can hire a classic or electric bike from South Spirit Bike. The bikes are of excellent quality and very reasonably priced.

At the end of the day, you can stop off in a café or on a terrace with your bike nearby, your face a little rosy from the wind and sun, with the pleasant sensation of having seen the city differently, at your own pace.

7- What to do in Avignon: escape to Villeneuve-lez-Avignon

Just across the Rhône from Avignon, Villeneuve-lez-Avignon is a charming getaway that’s still a little off the beaten tourist track. This small, peaceful town, bathed in light, played an essential role in the era of the popes: it was here that the cardinals had their sumptuous residences built, sheltered from the hustle and bustle of Avignon.

A stroll through the narrow streets lined with old stone walls reveals a remarkable heritage, starting with the imposing Saint-André fortress, which keeps watch over the hill and offers an uninterrupted view of the Rhône valley. Inside, a visit to the gardens of Saint-André Abbey reveals a Mediterranean garden with panoramic views over Provence and Avignon.

Not far away, the Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction, founded in the 14th century, is a surprisingly serene place, combining cloisters, gardens and monastic remains in a suspended atmosphere.

Villeneuve also offers the pleasure of Provencal markets, quiet little squares and a village atmosphere that contrasts delightfully with the energy of Avignon.

In just a few minutes on foot or by bike, you can move from one world to another, between the prestige of history and the gentleness of a daily life that’s almost timeless.

8- Experiencing the festival one of the things to do in Avignon

To experience the Festival d’Avignon is to immerse yourself in a unique effervescence, where the whole city becomes stage, backstage and audience all at once. Every summer in July, the streets are transformed into an open-air theatre, populated by actors in costume, colourful flyers and enthusiastic queues outside the theatres.

The ‘In’ Festival, with its major productions often staged in iconic venues such as the Cour d’Honneur of the Palais des Papes, is in dialogue with the ‘Off’ Festival, which is abundant, cheeky and sometimes improvised, taking over theatres, chapels and even courtyards. You’ll go from a street show to a politically committed play, from an intimate monologue to an absurd performance, with the exhilarating feeling of always discovering something new. The atmosphere is at once artistic, popular and joyously chaotic: people debate in the cafés, exchange good tips on the fly, and see one show after another from morning until late at night. For a few weeks, Avignon becomes a living laboratory of creation, a crossroads of ideas and emotions, where even the uninitiated are carried away by the magic of the moment.

It’s an experience you should have at least once, to feel the city’s vibrant heart beating.

9-The Rocher des Doms

The Rocher des Doms is Avignon’s balcony, suspended between sky, river and history. Perched just behind the Palais des Papes, this natural promontory was the cradle of the city, inhabited since Antiquity, long before the popes established their court here. It was here that the first inhabitants of Avignon settled, attracted by the strategic height of the site and the uninterrupted view over the Rhône valley.

Today, the Rocher has been transformed into a peaceful public garden, full of flowers and shade, where walkers, families, dreamers and photographers meet. Follow the winding paths and you’ll discover statues, an old waterwheel, a small pond with swans and, above all, spectacular panoramic views.

From the belvederes, you can see the island of Barthelasse, the Alpilles in the distance, the Saint-Bénézet bridge just below, and of course the roofs of Avignon, which the sun turns red at the end of the day.

It’s an ideal place to take a break between two visits, breathe in some fresh air, or simply soak up the intimate link between the city and its landscape.

The Rocher des Doms is not just a viewpoint, but also an anchor point: a place steeped in memory, now a haven of tranquillity.

The Sainte-Anne staircase is the northern access to the garden. Climbing this staircase gives you a view of the former prison.

Important information: Work is underway in this garden throughout 2025. Some parts will be open on alternate days.

10- What to do in Avignon: Visit during the night

When the sun goes down and the golden light gives way to the first shadows, Avignon reveals a different, more mysterious, almost intimate side.

It’s at this moment that Les Noctambules d’Avignon take to the stage. This nocturnal tour invites the curious to rediscover the city from an original and lively angle. Accompanied by a tour guide, visitors stroll through the narrow streets of the old town centre, illuminated by the soft glow of the street lamps.

Along the way, the past is brought to life: lively anecdotes, forgotten legends, tales of popes, craftsmen and brigands are interwoven with humour and poetry. A far cry from the classic tour, Les Noctambules d’Avignon will stimulate the imagination and plunge young and old alike into an Avignon full of surprises and secrets.

You’ll be swept away by the atmosphere, you’ll listen, you’ll laugh, you’ll be amazed… And above all, you’ll see the city in a whole new light. It’s a warm and original way to explore Avignon’s history, at dusk, when everything becomes a little more magical.

Here are the different routes available for this unique experience:

• The Pope’s Night Owl: this tour focuses on Avignon’s papal period and the major changes it brought about.
• The Night owl between past and present: this focuses on the vestiges of the past and puts them into perspective in relation to the present.
• The Night Owl between Christians and Bourgeois: we’ll look at what each has contributed to the city since the 14th century.

There’s a lot to do in Avignon. We hope you enjoy your visit to this exceptional city.

L’article The 10 Must-See Things or To Do in Avignon est apparu en premier sur Les noctambules d'Avignon.

Avignon, from prehistory to the arrival of the Popes

Archaeological digs carried out in the 1960s revealed traces of human occupation as far back as the Copper Age around the famous Rocher des Doms, a must-see site when visiting Avignon. A sculpture typical of funerary stelae from this period was discovered there, bearing witness to the first human settlements. It has been called the first Avignonnais and is on display at the Musée Calvet.

The Phocaeans from Massalia (Marseille) founded Avenio, the ancient name of Avignon, in 539 BC. The Greek geographer Artemidorus of Ephesus mentions Avignon as a city of Massalia near the Rhône, and the first urban structures were organised around the Rocher des Doms. Having become a Roman colony in 121 AD, Avignon expanded and saw its administrative centre, the forum, established on the site of today’s Hôtel de Ville. Roman remains can still be seen today behind the imposing Popes Palace.

With the development of Christianity, the first Christian community settled outside the city in the 3rd century, on the site of what is now Saint-Ruf Abbey. The gradual Christianisation of Avignon is attested to by the presence of Nextarius, the city’s first bishop, who took part in the Council of Riez in 439.

The arrival of the Popes and the city’s golden age

In the 13th century, following the division of the Carolingian Empire, the town became the property of the Counts of Provence. In 1290, the town was ceded to Charles II of Anjou.

History changed in 1305 with the election of Pope Bertrand de Got, under the name of Clément V, who chose Avignon as his temporary residence in 1309. This choice was dictated by the holding of an important council in Vienne, intended to judge the Templar order. He established the papal residence in Avignon, then under the authority of the Count of Provence.

But it was under John XXII, former archbishop of Avignon, that the city officially became the capital of the papacy. He refurbished the bishop’s palace. Benedict XII then ordered the construction of the Old Palace, while Clement VI extended the complex with the New Palace. They were known as the Pope-Builders. The latter also enriched the city with prestigious buildings and welcomed many artists and intellectuals, making Avignon a radiant cultural centre.

Innocent VI built the city walls of Avignon, which can still be seen today and are among the best preserved in Europe.

The Popes Palace is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most visited monuments in France and a must-see if you want to discover Avignon.

From the Great Schism to the Revolution: between crisis and prosperity

The Great Schism and the two antipopes of Avignon

After the definitive departure of the papacy for Rome in 1376, Avignon never regained its status as the capital of Christianity. However, in spite of itself, the city was at the centre of one of the greatest religious conflicts of the Middle Ages: the Great Western Schism (1378-1417).

In 1378, following the death of Pope Gregory XI, a new pope, Urban VI, was elected in Rome. However, some of the cardinals, mainly French, rejected this election on the pretext that it had been made under pressure from the people of Rome. In response, these cardinals elected a second pope in Avignon: Clement VII (Robert of Geneva), who took up residence in the Pope Palace in 1379. Thus began the schism that divided Christendom.

For almost 40 years, two rival popes disputed the legitimacy of the throne of St Peter’s:

• Clement VII (1378-1394): recognised by France, Castile, Aragon, Scotland and Naples.
• Benedict XIII (1394-1417): successor to Clement VII, he refused to abdicate even after the schism had been resolved.

Faced with this division, which weakened the Church, a third pope, Alexander V, was elected in 1409 at the Council of Pisa. But his election only added to the confusion.

Finally, the Council of Constance (1414-1418) put an end to the crisis. After the deposition of the three rival popes, Martin V was elected in 1417, putting an end to the schism. However, Benedict XIII, who had taken refuge in his palace, refused to recognise this decision and remained cloistered for five years, until France stopped supporting him in 1423. His successor, Clement VIII, abdicated in 1429, marking the definitive end of papal power in Avignon.

Between the end of the Great Schism and the 20th century: From papal city to provincial town

After the end of the Great Western Schism in 1417, Avignon remained under the authority of the Holy See, remaining a papal enclave on French territory. However, this period saw a gradual decline in its influence. Deprived of the prestige it had enjoyed as a papal residence, the city became a mere administrative centre governed by papal legates and vice-legates, representatives of the Pope. Despite this, it continued to be a thriving commercial crossroads thanks to its strategic position on the Rhône, facilitating trade between Provence, the Rhône Valley and Italy. Its economy was based mainly on trade, crafts and, above all, silk, which became a key industry from the 16th century onwards.

However, Avignon also suffered crises: in the 16th century, it was affected by the Wars of Religion, and in 1663, a major plague decimated part of its population. The 18th century marked a period of growing contestation of papal power by the people of Avignon, who demanded greater autonomy and rights similar to those enjoyed by subjects of the King of France.

The French Revolution put an end to papal domination of the city: in 1791, following a local referendum, Avignon became part of France, along with the Comtat Venaissin. The Napoleonic period and then the Restoration confirmed this integration, transforming Avignon into a simple prefecture of the Vaucluse. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the city retained a regional role thanks to trade, the rise of the railway and the development of wine-growing in the surrounding area, but it lost its international prestige. It wasn’t until the creation of the Festival d’Avignon in 1947 that the city regained its cultural influence on a global scale.

The Creation of the Festival d’Avignon: A Cultural Renaissance Led by Jean Vilar and Yvonne Zervos

The Context: A City in Search of Renewal

At the beginning of the 20th century, Avignon was a provincial town marked by economic decline due to the disappearance of the silk industry and the loss of its strategic role. Although the Popes Palace and the Pont Saint-Bénézet were already attracting visitors, the city did not yet have the international cultural influence it enjoys today.

The inter-war years and the German occupation during the Second World War accentuated Avignon’s withdrawal from the national scene. It was against this backdrop that an initiative emerged that would change the city’s destiny forever: the creation of the Festival d’Avignon in 1947.

Yvonne Zervos : A Key Figure in the Birth of the Festival

While the Festival d’Avignon is often associated with director Jean Vilar, it also owes its existence to an influential woman in the French cultural milieu: Yvonne Zervos.

Yvonne Zervos (1905-1970) was a patron of the arts, art critic and gallery owner, married to the famous publisher and art historian Christian Zervos, founder of the magazine Cahiers d’Art. Passionate about art and modernity, she and her husband owned a house in Avignon, where they welcomed many artists and intellectuals.

In the 1940s, she discovered the work of Jean Vilar, a young director committed to popular theatre. She was won over by his vision: to make theatre accessible to as many people as possible, far from the Parisian elite. Yvonne Zervos, with her network and influence, was to play a decisive role in the birth of the festival.

Meeting Jean Vilar and the birth of the Festival

In 1947, Jean Vilar was still a little-known theatre director, but he and Yvonne Zervos shared a common ambition: to make theatre a lively and popular event, breaking away from traditional theatrical institutions.

It was against this backdrop that Yvonne Zervos suggested he organise a theatre festival in Avignon. Her idea was to use the exceptional setting of the Pope Palace, a monument steeped in history, as an open-air stage for plays on a scale never seen before.

Jean Vilar accepted the challenge and, in September 1947, presented three plays in the main courtyard of the Pope Palace:

• Shakespeare’s Richard II,
• The Tragedy of King Richard II, directed by himself,
• The story of Tobie and Sara, by Paul Claudel.

The success was immediate. The audience, made up of Avignon locals, Parisians and curious onlookers alike, was won over by this new way of performing theatre, outdoors in a majestic setting. The Festival d’Avignon was born.

The Festival d’Avignon: A Cultural Revolution

Thanks to Jean Vilar and the support of Yvonne Zervos, the Festival quickly gained momentum. From the very first editions, it stood out for several innovative aspects:

• Popular theatre: unlike bourgeois Parisian theatre, the Festival d’Avignon offered theatre that was accessible to all, rooted in the values of sharing and transmission.
• An unprecedented space for creation: The Palais des Papes becomes a mythical stage, where directors can experiment with spectacular stagings.
• A dialogue between theatre and the visual arts: Thanks to Yvonne Zervos’ contacts in the art world, the festival gradually integrated other artistic disciplines such as painting and sculpture.

Jean Vilar’s commitment to popular theatre was rewarded with growing success. He remained at the head of the Festival until 1971, helping to make Avignon a world cultural capital.

The Lasting Influence of Yvonne Zervos

While Jean Vilar became the emblematic figure of the Festival d’Avignon, Yvonne Zervos played a key role in its birth. Her logistical and financial support, but above all her bold vision, helped transform a simple theatrical project into a major event of the 20th century.

Her commitment to the arts was not limited to the theatre: throughout her life, she supported modern artists, fostering dialogue between the visual and performing arts. Today, her influence still resonates in the spirit of the Festival d’Avignon, which continues to be a place for artistic encounters and experimentation.

Discover Avignon in a new light with the Noctambules d’Avignon night tours

Immerse yourself in Avignon’s fascinating history by exploring the city at dusk. Les Noctambules d’Avignon offer unique night-time tours that reveal the secrets and heritage of the City of the Popes in a different light. Let yourself be enchanted by the illuminations of the emblematic monuments and the peaceful atmosphere of the medieval streets.

Our Unmissable Night Tours :

1. The Pope’s Noctambule: In the Footsteps of the Sovereign Pontiffs

This tour focuses on Avignon’s papal period and the major transformations it brought about. You will discover how the presence of the popes in the XIVᵉ century shaped the architecture and identity of the town. The tour includes emblematic sites such as the Palais des Papes and the famous Pont d’Avignon.

2. La Noctambule between Christians and Burghers: Crossed heritages

Exploring the narrow streets of the old town, this tour highlights the influence of the Christian and bourgeois communities on the development of Avignon since the XIVᵉ century. You’ll discover buildings left by cardinals as well as private mansions, testimony to the rise of the bourgeoisie. The tour also includes the former Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs, a reflection of the town’s rich religious history.

3. The Night owl between Past and Present: A Journey Through Time

This tour offers a unique perspective on the evolution of Avignon, linking the vestiges of the past with the dynamism of the present. You’ll explore sites ranging from Roman times to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed papal fortress, while observing how these legacies are integrated into the city’s contemporary life.

Why choose Les Noctambules d’Avignon?

• Authentic Experience: Our tours are designed to offer a deep immersion in Avignon’s history and culture.
• Passionate guides: Our local guides share anecdotes and secrets to make your visit as enriching as possible.
• Unique atmosphere: Night-time lends a magical atmosphere to discoveries, far from the hustle and bustle.

Ready for an unforgettable night-time adventure?

Join us for a fascinating exploration of Avignon under the stars. Book your night tour now and let yourself be transported by the magic of the City of the Popes as night falls.

L’article Avignon, city of history and culture est apparu en premier sur Les noctambules d'Avignon.

A strategic geographical position since ancient times

Since ancient times, Avignon has occupied a strategic geographical position on the banks of the Rhône. Its location has made it an important crossroads for trade and commerce since Roman times. The city prospered over the centuries thanks to its proximity to the Mediterranean and its role as a gateway between northern and southern Gaul. In the Middle Ages, this advantageous geographical location favoured its development as an economic and religious centre, culminating in the installation of the papacy in the 14th century. Even today, Avignon enjoys a central position in Provence, well served by modern transport infrastructure such as the TGV and motorways, making it a popular destination.

Get to Avignon, a unique destination.

An exceptional heritage

Avignon’s architectural heritage is one of the richest in France. The Pope’s palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the strongest symbol of this past grandeur. It bears witness to the time when Avignon was the seat of the papacy in the 14th century. Not far from there, the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet, better known as the ‘Pont d’Avignon’, is another icon of the city, immortalised in the famous song.

A recognised cultural dynamism

Avignon is also renowned for its cultural dynamism, not least thanks to the Festival d’Avignon, one of the biggest theatre festivals in the world. Every summer, artists from all over the world come here to present their work, attracting fans of the performing arts and reinforcing the city’s image as a cultural center.

A city looking to the future

Today, Avignon harmoniously combines its prestigious past with its openness to the future. Thanks to its commitment to sustainable development and its economic appeal, the city continues to evolve while preserving its unique identity and heritage.

How do I get to Avignon?

Given that Avignon was considered the new Rome in the 14th century, we can adapt the famous saying by saying that all roads led to Avignon.

How to get to Avignon: available means of transport

Because of its geographical location, Avignon has excellent public transport links. Here’s how to get to Avignon by public transport.

By car:

There is a highway that passes near Avignon, the A7. There are two exits: Avignon Sud and Avignon Nord.
If you’re coming from Orange, the best exit is Avignon Nord, which is 15 minutes from the city centre.
For those coming from Marseille or Aix-en-Provence, it is currently more attractive to exit at Avignon Nord. This exit is 8 kilometres from Avignon Sud. It offers you the advantage of avoiding the traffic jams that often occur around the Rocade. If you need to get to the Montfavet district or Agroparc, the Avignon Sud exit is the most interesting.
If you are coming from Nîmes or Montpellier, you have several options.

Exit at Remoulins: it will then take around thirty minutes to get to the centre of Avignon.
Exit at Roquemaure: You then have a dual carriageway that takes you to Avignon or Villeneuve-lez-Avignon.

By bike:

Avignon is on the Eurovelo route. At Tarascon, two roads come together: Route 8 and Route 17. This connection means that you can cycle directly to Avignon from southern Spain, Athens or Geneva.
In recent years, the Communauté de Communes du Grand Avignon has invested in green paths that are ideal for cycling. You can now travel from Avignon’s city centre to Villeneuve-lez-Avignon on an exclusively cycle route. So it’s safe. The icing on the cake is that you’ll be cycling along the Rhône, passing through some magnificent spots.
Avignon’s proximity to Mont Ventoux, a legendary stage in the Tour de France, makes it an ideal destination for a cycling holiday.

Getting around by bike during your stay:

As mentioned above, there are many facilities for visiting Avignon and the surrounding area by bike. In the city centre, you can take advantage of the Vélopop system, which gives you access to a range of packages for a day or a week. After that, you can use a bike for free for half an hour.
If you want to book a bike for the day (electric bikes are available), we recommend South Spirit Bike. The bikes are recent, the welcome is warm, and the advice is sound. Everything you need for a successful cycling trip.

By train :

Since 1 June 1851, Avignon has been connected to Paris, Lyon and Marseille by train. Since 1981, it has been possible to travel to Avignon from Paris or Marseille by TGV. In 1992, a new TGV line made it possible to travel from Paris to Avignon in 2 hours. Finally, since 2013, it has been possible to travel to Avignon from Madrid or Barcelona.
There are also good connections with regional trains from the Occitanie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and PACA regions.
There are two stations in Avignon: Avignon Centre and Avignon TGV. The first, as its name suggests, is in the centre of Avignon, opposite the city walls. The second is 5 kilometres from the city centre. Two buses serve the TGV station: line 10 takes you to the centre, and line 14 goes to Le Pontet via the ring road.

By bus :

Avignon is well served by long-distance bus routes linking major French and European cities. Several companies, including FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus and Eurolines, offer journeys to Avignon from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Barcelona and other destinations. Buses usually arrive at the Avignon bus station, located close to the Avignon Centre SNCF train station, making it easy to connect with local transport. Bus tickets are often a cost-effective alternative to the train, with overnight travel options to maximise your time. Once you’re here, the Orizo public transport network makes it easy to get around the city.

By plane:

Avignon has its airport. Unfortunately, with the closure of Flybe, there are no longer any scheduled flights. The airport is still open to private aircraft. Its geographical position 10 kilometres from the city centre, the lack of public transport infrastructure and the loss of interest in the airport mean that I can’t wait for it to close for good.

By boat:

There are plenty of cruises that leave from Avignon or make a stop in Avignon. You can check out the Croisierenet, Croisieurope or Rhône Croisière websites.

Now that you know how to get to Avignon, all you have to do is plan your trip. If you’d like to visit the city and the surrounding area, take a look at our various tours, which will take you around the city originally and unexpectedly.

L’article How to come to Avignon? est apparu en premier sur Les noctambules d'Avignon.

The Saint Bénézet bridge, more famous under the name of Avignon bridge is the symbol of the city. It is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995 and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

Why is this bridge so important in the French culture and in the imagination? Is it cut, not finished, broken or destroyed? We invite you to a journey through the centuries and along the water to discover the bridge of the city of the Popes.

Foreword: the Rhône, the source of everything

Since ancient times, the Rhône has been a route for trade and exchange. The various inhabitants of the Rhône region have moved on it since the time of the Rhodanians and the Phoenicians. Hannibal crossed it with his army in 218 BC. Since Roman times it has been an important trade route and many cities have developed at the crossroads of land-based trade routes with the Rhone. This is the case of Arles, Avignon, Vienne, Lyon.

During the pre-Christian era, the Rhône was considered as an angry deity. Its rages were legendary and many sacrifices were made to appease it. The location of the city on a rocky prominence is not by chance. It was to protect itself from the very frequent floods. Some of these have remained famous, as in 1856 when the Rhône destroyed part of the ramparts from the Saint Roch gate to the Saint Dominique gate. The water went up to the square of the collegiate church of Saint Agricole.

Even if the Rhône began to be dominated from the beginning of the 20th century, floods are still very frequent in Avignon. The last important flood of the Rhône hit Avignon in 2003.

The legend of the bridge of Avignon

Saint Bénézet

It all began when a shepherd from the Ardèche came to Avignon in 1177. Little Benoit was only 12 years old when he received the divine order to go and build a bridge in Avignon. The lord said to him: “Bénezet take your staff, go down to Avignon, the capital on the water, talk to the inhabitants and have a bridge built there.” So he set out from his village of Burzet.

When he arrived in Avignon, he went to what is now the palace square. He announced the word of God. This news was received by the inhabitants with mockery and derision. The prelate then asked Bénezet (Benoit in Provençal) to take a rock and throw it into the river. As he approached the rock, two angels appeared and helped him throw it into the Rhone. This was the first stone of the building.

This legend spreads from the 12th century. The story of Bénezet is quite different. He would have founded a charitable organization to build and maintain the bridge and also to help travelers. The brothers of this institution were lay people. He died in 1184 before the bridge was completed. He is called a saint, although no process of beatification has been opened. The lower chapel of the second pillar contained his relics before their transfer in 1674 to the church of the Place des Corps Saints.

The construction of the bridge of Avignon

The Saint Bénezet bridge would have been, according to the historians, in permanent works between the XIIth and the XVIth century. It is likely that the bridge was a mixture of masonry and wooden parts. Its construction began in 1177 and was completed in 1185 (according to legend) or 1293 (according to historians).

During this period, the construction of the bridge was done in summer when the water level was the lowest. The workers (about 100) built one to two pillars of the bridge per year.

Constructions techniques :

For the construction of the pillars, there are three very distinct situations depending on the terrain.

First situation: while clearing a bed of pebbles, the workers came across dry soil. They therefore laid out the wooden footing. It served as a stable and insulating platform on which the pillar was built.

Second situation: after clearing the pebbles, one could fall on wet ground. It was therefore necessary to create a formwork, called cofferdam. The double wall of the cofferdam is made watertight by an agglomeration of earth and manure. The water is then drained off with pumps or buckets. Once the soil was dry, the workers planted wooden piles using a machine called a sheep. The sole rested on these stakes.

Engine for the wooden pillars

Third situation: this is the most delicate situation. Indeed, it is the one that consists in creating a pillar in the water. A cofferdam was still used but this one was deeper. Another difficulty was that all the work was done from boats subject to the river current. The pumping was also slower. Once the ground was reached, wooden piles were replanted in order to lay the footing.

When two pillars were built, a wooden formwork was placed on which the stones that would form the arches were laid.

Why did the bridge not stand the test of time and destroy itself?

Recent research has managed to answer this question.

There are several factors:

Climatic factor: in the middle of the 12th century, the Little Ice Age began. A climatic phenomenon that cooled Europe. With the arrival of spring, the melting of the ice led to major floods. The weight of the water weakened the pillars of the bridge. In addition, the changes in the level of the river caused severe erosion. This will make the pillars turn on themselves.

Geological factor: contrary to the bridge of Pont Saint-Esprit which is put on rock, that of Avignon is put on a silty ground and on a bed of pebbles. This difference will make the bridge of Avignon more vulnerable to the attacks of the river.

Economic factor: to maintain the bridge, an organization was created, half secular and half religious. This organization was also in charge of maintaining the hospitals. In the middle of the 13th century, this organization split in two. The religious joined together in the confraternity which managed the hospitals. The laity was responsible for the maintenance of the bridge. Deprived of the financing by the charity, they could not maintain the bridge properly.

The famous song and dance

This song has made the bridge famous all over the world. It appeared as early as the 15th century. The version we know comes from the operetta “le sourd ou l’auberge pleine” by Adolphe Adam in 1853. This nursery rhyme tells what happened on weekends on the island of Barthelasse. At that time, there were guinguettes installed and the inhabitants of Avignon used to rush there to picnic and dance. So we danced under the bridge and not on it. This song is used to learn French in many countries around the world.

The Avignon Bridge now on day

Classified since 1995 with the Palace of the Popes, in the world heritage of UNESCO, the bridge is today one of the emblems of Avignon. It is one of the monuments of the city. There is an entrance ticket coupled with the Palace of the Popes. It is the best solution to discover these medieval jewels.

Moreover, the banks of the Rhône are accessible to walkers and bicycles. You can enjoy a nice postcard while walking.

View of Avignon with the bridge and the palace

The Pont d’Avignon and the Noctambules

You have the possibility to discover the Avignon bridge during the day during the tour “Around the Palace“. You can also admire this famous bridge at night during the Night owl of the Pope.

Visit the bridge of Avignon

You can visit the Saint Benezet bridge every day.

From March 1st to November 5th, it is open from 9am to 7pm

The rest of the year, the Pont d’Avignon is open from 10am to 5pm (6pm during school vacations).

The price of the ticket alone is 5 euros but you can buy a combined ticket with the Palace of the Popes and the gardens for 17 euros.

L’article The bridge of Avignon, how did a broken bridge become famous? est apparu en premier sur Les noctambules d'Avignon.