Saint Bénézet’s Bridge, the Bridge of Avignon

When enjoying a river cruise on the Rhône, we highly recommend that you consider spending a few extra days in Avignon.

Carol and I just returned from our second river cruise on the Rhône this time enjoying the luxury and hospitality from the fine folks at Uniworld River Cruises.

I shot this photograph of the Bridge of Avignon (aka The Saint Benezet’s Bridge) from the Rocher des Doms (Rock of the Cathedral) looking down over the Rhône.  The smaller photograph (right) is a view from the same spot looking the other direction down the river.

Note: click the photographs for larger views.

“Listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, the Saint-Bénézet Bridge attracts more than 300,000 visitors per year. Of the bridge itself, there only remains the four famous arches and the Philippe le Bel tower on the Villeneuve-lès-Avignon side, and of course, the famous song that is known around the world. In the Middle Ages, the Saint Bénézet bridge was part of one of the most important pilgrimage routes between Italy and Spain. It would become essential to the pontifical court, which settled in Avignon in the 14th century. Very soon, the Cardinals moved to Villeneuve to escape the pollution of Avignon, at the time described by the poet Petrarch as the “most foul and stinking city on Earth”. The bridge was at that time the most direct link between the many residences that the Cardinals had built and the Popes’ Palace situated inside Avignon’s city walls.” (via Agvigon Tourism website)
 
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