Pont d'Avignon
Pont Saint-Bénézet, universally known as Pont d'Avignon, is the famous broken bridge sung about in the children's song "Sur le Pont d'Avignon." Built in the 12th century, it originally spanned the full Rhône with 22 arches; repeated flooding destroyed most of it over the centuries, leaving four arches that now stop abruptly mid-river.
There isn't much to the visit itself — you walk out along the surviving span, look at the small Chapel of Saint Nicolas partway along, and get a good view back at the Palais des Papes — so it's a short stop rather than a destination in its own right. The real value is the view from outside: seeing the truncated bridge from across the Rhône or from Rocher des Doms explains the song and the history better than walking on it does.
Pont d'Avignon FAQs
About 20-30 minutes to walk the bridge and read the information panels.
Repeated flooding over the centuries washed away most of the original 22 arches, leaving the four that remain today.
Both work — the paid walk gets you onto the historic structure and its small chapel, but many visitors are just as satisfied viewing it from the riverbank or Rocher des Doms for free.
Yes, a joint ticket for both is sold and works out cheaper than visiting separately.
The bridge surface is flat and manageable, but check current conditions as access can vary.
Reviews/Comments
No comments yet — be the first.