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Pont d'Avignon

Pont d’Avignon – the Legend of the Broken Bridge of Avignon

Home » DESTINATIONS » Pont d’Avignon – the Legend of the Broken Bridge of Avignon

Last Modified: August 23, 2023 //  by Anda //  11 Comments

When I think of Avignon, the first thing that comes to my mind is the traditional French song that we used to sing as kids: “Sur le Pont d’Avignon” (on the Bridge of Avignon). This was a very popular song at the time, and one of the first ones you’d learn if you took French lessons.

Illustration of the famous song Sur le Pont d’Avignon

Well, as it appears the Pont d’Avignon from my childhood song is actually a real bridge and one of the two emblems of the city Avignon. The other emblem of the city being the enormous Palace of the Popes.

The Bridge of Avignon
The Bridge of Avignon

Table of Contents

  • The Legend Behind the Broken Bridge of Avignon
  • The Construction of the Bridge of Avignon
  • The Sad Destiny of Pont d’Avignon
  • The Chapel on Pont d’Avignon

The Legend Behind the Broken Bridge of Avignon

In Medieval times, the famous bridge of Avignon was known as Pont Saint-Bénézet, bearing the name of the one who inspired its construction. So who was Saint Bénézet?

The story has it that in 1177, a young shepherd from the mountains of Ardeche named Bénézet, saw an angel in one of his dreams. The angel appeared to him with a mission:

“Bénézet, take your rod and go down to Avignon, the capital by the water. You will speak to the people and tell them that you must build a bridge.”

Obedient, Bènèzet came down from the mountains and started telling people of his dream. At first the young shepherd was taken for a madman and ridiculed by the crowds. But Bénézt wasn’t ready to give up so easily. He was determined to build a bridge in Avignon, as God instructed him.

Pont Saint Benezet
The Bridge of Avignon (Pont d’Avignon)

Wanting to get rid of this nuisance, the bishop of Avignon called Bênezêt to a challenge: “If you have been sent by God, prove it!” And he asked the poor shepherd to lift a huge bolder on his shoulder and throw it into the Rhône River.

The stone was too heavy even for 30 men to lift. But Bénézet miraculously picked up the bolder and threw it into the water without any effort. This removed all doubt from the people’s minds, who considered that Bénézet could have only lifted the rock by divine intervention.

And so began the construction of Pont d’Avignon, the oldest bridge on the Rhône River. The bridge became know as Pont Saint Bénézet.

Entrance to Pont Saint Benezet
Pont d’Avignon entrance

The Construction of the Bridge of Avignon

Legend aside, building a bridge in Avignon was in fact a necessity. Before the construction people used to cross the Rhône in small boats. Crossing the river was particularly difficult in spring, when the waters were high.

The construction was a difficult and expensive project that took 14 years to complete. But when it was done, the Bridge of Avignon was a real marvel, measuring around 900 meters in length. At the time it was the only fixed river crossing between Lyon and the Mediterranean Sea.

View of the Pont d'Avignon (the Bridge of Avignon)
View of the Pont d’Avignon

Originally, the bridge had 22 arches connecting Avignon with Villeneuve lez Avignon. When you see it up-close, Pont Saint Bénézet seems quite narrow, definitely not meant for vehicles or wagons. Nonetheless, it’s wide enough to accommodate a group of people dancing in a circle, like in the lyrics of the famous song: l’on y danse tout en rond.

Walking on Pont d'Avignon
The Bridge in Avignon

The Sad Destiny of Pont d’Avignon

Over the centuries the the Bridge of Avignon was destroyed and rebuilt many times. But during the flood of 1669 the bridge found its demise, when a huge wave teared off half of it. Only four of the 22 arches survived the flood.

Gatehouse on the Bridge of Avignon
Gatehouse on the Bridge of Avignon

The city of Avignon didn’t have the funds to rebuild it, so the bridge of Avignon was forever abandoned.

The Chapel on Pont d’Avignon

Bénézet, who later became Saint Bénézet, didn’t live to see the bridge finished. He died just a few years after the construction began.

View of the Pont d'Avignon (the Bridge of Avignon)
Saint Nicholas Chapel on the Bridge of Avignon

After his death, Bénézet was buried on the bridge itself, in a small chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of mariners. His remains were later moved, when the flood of 1669 washed away part of the bridge.

Over the centuries the Rhône River changed its course many times forming small islands. Today there is only one big island between the two channels, which may give you the impression the river is not very wide.

But if you look at it from above, you can see how wide the Rhône actually is in this area. That will make you realize that Pont d’Avignon was in fact a marvelous achievement for its time.

HEADING TO FRANCE? YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

  • Visiting the Palais des Papes in Avignon – a Papal Palace Without Popes
  • 3 Days in Paris – the Perfect Itinerary for Your First Visit
  • 10 Most Beautiful Beaches to Visit in the South of France
  • What to Buy in Paris – 15 Souvenirs You’ll Absolutely Love!

Category: DESTINATIONS, Europe, FranceTag: Unique Places Around the World

About Anda

Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

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Next Post: Avignon’s Palace of the Popes: a Papal City Without Popes »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Isabella

    April 17, 2015 at 6:45 am

    So far I’ve known Pont d’Avignon from songs and poems only and I didn’t have an idea that it’s so charming, Anda!

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      April 17, 2015 at 2:26 pm

      You are relatively close to Avignon, Isabella. Maybe you can visit it sometimes.

      Reply
  2. Anda Galffy

    April 13, 2015 at 12:33 pm

    I love legends too, Samiya. They make the landmarks so much more interesting, don’t they?

    Reply
  3. Rachel

    April 12, 2015 at 12:42 pm

    What a wonderful legend! I always find it intriguing how the legends around old structures and buildings began, but sometimes it’s nice not know the exact truth 🙂

    Reply
  4. Lyn @thetravellinglindfields

    April 12, 2015 at 12:26 am

    It is always interesting to hear the stories behind famous landmarks.

    Reply
  5. Esther

    April 11, 2015 at 11:13 pm

    We used to learn about this legend at school. Thank you for reminding me again 🙂 I have never visited Avignon, but I really would like to visit that particular region of France someday.
    Thank you for hosting another great linkup! It’s so great to see what eveyone’s been writing every week.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      April 13, 2015 at 12:33 pm

      You should take time to visit Avignon, Esther. After all is very close to you.

      Reply
  6. Jolanta aka Casual Traveler

    April 11, 2015 at 9:04 am

    I remember that song! And I had no idea that the bridge is incomplete. How interesting that the city decided not to rebuild it, but there has been a song written about it. Makes me want to do some research on the song now. I love the photos that look like they were taken from the air. Or was it a tower of some sort?

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      April 12, 2015 at 12:10 am

      That’s indeed a tower and a beautiful park nearby, very high up on the hill.

      Reply
  7. Lo @ Travel the Unbeaten Path

    April 10, 2015 at 4:54 pm

    So much history and culture, I would love to go there one day!

    Reply
  8. Marisol@TravelingSolemates

    April 10, 2015 at 12:46 pm

    Hi Anda, I enjoyed reading about the legend of Benezet and the bridge, as well as the French song about the bridge you used to sing as a child. It looks so magnificent with only 4 arches left, I can just imagine how even more amazing it was with 22 of them. Lovely photos, as usual.

    Reply

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