Avignon is one of the most visited cities in Southern France. Its location is at a historically important strategic place in the Rhône valley, which was already inhabited by Celts. It was also important in the Roman Empire, and in the 12th century, Avignon declared itself an independent republic. This lasted until 1226, when the city became subject to France for a time. The development got an extra boost when the Pope moved his residence here in 1309, making Avignon the central city of the Christian world.

The popes moved back to Rome in 1376, but two years later the papal schism occurred, which meant that there were 2-3 simultaneous popes until 1417, and during this period Avignon was again a papal residence. However, the city remained papal property until 1797, when Pope Pius VI formally handed the city over to France.

In lovely Avignon, you can start a tour at the Place du Palais, where you can see the Palais des Papes, which was the residence of the popes in the city. Between 1309 and 1376, seven popes had their official residence in Avignon, making the city the center of the Christian world. First Pope was Clement V (1305-1314), the following were John XXII (1316-1334), Benedict XII (1334-1342), Clement VI (1342-1352), Innocent VI (1352-1362), Urban V (1362 -1370) and finally Gregorius XI (1370-1376).

The status of the place was a good reason for the construction of the papal palace, which is the largest Gothic palace in the world and at the same time a large fortification. On a visit you get an impression of the solid building, and various rooms and halls are open to visitors, for example, chapels, ceremonial rooms and the Pope’s private apartments, which contain particularly beautiful frescoes.

Notre-Dame des Doms is Avignon’s cathedral, and it stands next to the Palais des Papes. The church is believed to have been founded in the 4th century near the bishop’s residence, Domus Episcopali, from which the church’s name derives. The current building mainly dates from the first half of the 12th century, when the church was erected in Provencal Romanesque style. Since then, most chapels have been built under the rule of Avignon’s second pope, John XXII.

In 1670 the choir was rebuilt, and in 1859 the large statue of the Virgin Mary was placed on top of the church tower. Notre-Dame des Doms was destroyed during the French Revolution, and the building was temporarily used as a prison, but in the years 1835-1842 it was restored as before the revolution. It happened on the initiative of Bishop Monsignor du Pont.

Another of Avignon’s well-known buildings is Pont St-Bénezet, also called Pont d’Avignon. The bridge is, together with the Papal Palace, the landmarks of Avignon. It was first built in the 12th century, but countless times it has been destroyed by either wars or floods in the Rhône River, which has always been attractive to cross here, and that was the reason for the initial bridge construction.

In the 17th century, the city gave up rebuilding the bridge after another destruction, and since then it has made its way to the middle of the river and no further. You can go out on the bridge and see its history depicted. You can also take a walk in the center of Avignon along, for example, the main street Rue de la République, which was built in the last half of the 19th century. Here you can also see the Place de l’Horloge, which is the center of Avignon, and here is the city’s neoclassical town hall from 1846.