Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
floods and subsequently rebuilt. In 1668 most of it was knocked out for the last time by
a disastrous, icy flood. Lacking a government stimulus package, the townsfolk decided
not to rebuild this time, and for more than a century, Avignon had no bridge across the
Rhône. While only four arches survive today, the original bridge was huge: Imagine a
22-arch, 3,000-foot-long bridge extending from Vatican territory across the island to the
lonelyTowerofPhiliptheFair,whichmarkedthebeginningofFrance(seedisplaysofthe
bridge's original length).
Cost and Hours:
€4.50, includes audioguide, €13 combo-ticket includes Palace of
the Popes, same hours as Palace of the Popes (described next), tel. 04 90 27 51 16.
Visiting the Bridge:
The ticket booth is housed in what was a medieval hospital for
the poor (funded by bridge tolls). Admission includes a small room dedicated to the song
of Avignon's bridge and your only chance to walk a bit of the ramparts (enter both from
thetower).ARomanesquechapelonthebridgeisdedicatedtoSt.Bénezet.Thoughthere's
notmuchtoseeonthebridge,theaudioguideincludedwithyourtickettellsagoodenough
story. It's also fun to be in the breezy middle of the river with a sweeping city view.
• To get to the Palace of the Popes from here, leave via the riverfront exit, turn left, then
turn left again back into the walls. Walk to the end of the short street, then turn right fol-
lowing signs to Palais des Papes. Next, look for brown signs leading left under the pas-
sageway, then stay the course up the narrow steps to Palace Square.
