Avignon Opera House

Situated beside the City Hall on the Place de L'Horloge, this Italianate opera house built in the mid-1850s hosts dance, theater, symphony and opera performances throughout the year.

Pont Saint-Benezet

This historic bridge is the inspiration for the children's song "Sur le Pont d'Avignon" and was originally constructed over the Rhone between 1177 and 1185. According to traditional, a local shepherd boy was commanded by angels to build a bridge across the river between Avignon and Villeneuve-les-Avignon and he miraculously lifted a large block of stone as proof of his divine inspiration. This boy later became Saint Benezet and was interred in a chapel on the bridge after his death. For a long time, the bridge was the only fixed river crossing between Lyon in central France and the Mediterranean Sea.

Fort Saint-Andre

Photo by Stephen Bohn

Rising above the town of Villeneuve-les-Avignon, the well preserved fort of Saint-Andre was built in 1292 and offers beautiful views across the Rhone to Avignon, but with far fewer tourists than the papal city.

Across the Rhone

Photo by Stephen Bohn

Looking down over the Rhone river and the partial remains of the St. Benezet bridge (Pont d'Avignon) from atop the Rocher des Doms above the Palace of the Popes. The town across the river is Villeneuve-les-Avignon, which was once connected to Avignon by the bridge until its collapse in the mid-1600s.

Avignon Town Walls

Image taken atop the old town walls in Avignon, France, near the start of the ruined Pont d'Avignon.

Dusk Falls Over Avignon

A view of the Palace of the Popes and the church of Notre Dame des Doms in Avignon.
Textures by Shadowhouse Creations and Jody DogMa.

Avignon Courtyard

This quiet courtyard was on the same block as our hotel in Avignon and I found myself walking past it many times each day.
Texture by Distressed Jewell.

Belle Epoque Carrousel

This beautiful carrousel is located on the main pedestrian area in Avignon's historic town center.
Texture: thanks to Paree Erica.

Chapel of St. Nicholas

Originally dedicated to St. Nicholas in the 12th century, this chapel is located between the second and third arch of the famous Saint Benezet bridge on the river Rhone in Avignon. The bridge was the origin of a popular children's song. It suffered many collapses due to flooding and by the 17th century was deemed beyond repair.

Textures from les brumes and Shadowhouse Creations have been added.

Door, Avignon

This door with its distinctive panels and hardware was located in a quiet courtyard near our hotel in Avignon.
Textures from Shadowhouse Creations and pareeerica were added.

Avignon

The Palace of the Popes was just a few minutes by foot from out hotel. During our stay in Avignon, I never tired of walking past its Gothic facade and observing its moods change from daylight to darkness.

I've added textures from boccacino, Shadowhouse Creations and sophie g.

Avignon Chairs

I took this photo very early in the morning before the cafe proprietor had a chance to set up his chairs and tables for the day. The cafe was directly across from the Palace of the Popes, a UNESCO world heritage site dating from the early 1300s.