Pont Saint-B茅n茅zet (St. Benezet Bridge), Avignon (must see)
The song goes... "On the bridge of Avignon
Everyone is dancing
On the bridge of Avignon
Everyone dances in a ring"
But, actually they danced below the bridge, not on it. Over the years, they worked their way up, the handsome men, the lovely women, the soldiers, the babies, the good friends, the musicians...so the song says, around and around. What does it mean?
The song and the bridge are wrapped in mystery. The bridge referred to in the song, Le Pont d'Avignon is actually Pont Saint Benezet. Saint Benezet (1165-1184) was an illiterate shepherd who became the patron saint of bridge builders, and this is how he did it.
In 1177 he told the bishop he had had a vision wherein he was told to build a stone bridge across the Rhone. The bridge was to be at a point where the force of the river was greatest. The bishop, not wanting to defy Heaven, approved the project and work began. Benezet's holy mission was confirmed by no less than 18 miracles of healing.
The stone bridge that replaced Benezet's damaged bridge in 1234 had 22 arches and 21 piers and was 980 yards long. The arches were low and were liable to collapse when the river ran too high. Only one chapel, Saint Nicholas Chapel, and four arches remain of the bridge. The bridge was listed as a Historical Monument in 1840.
Everyone is dancing
On the bridge of Avignon
Everyone dances in a ring"
But, actually they danced below the bridge, not on it. Over the years, they worked their way up, the handsome men, the lovely women, the soldiers, the babies, the good friends, the musicians...so the song says, around and around. What does it mean?
The song and the bridge are wrapped in mystery. The bridge referred to in the song, Le Pont d'Avignon is actually Pont Saint Benezet. Saint Benezet (1165-1184) was an illiterate shepherd who became the patron saint of bridge builders, and this is how he did it.
In 1177 he told the bishop he had had a vision wherein he was told to build a stone bridge across the Rhone. The bridge was to be at a point where the force of the river was greatest. The bishop, not wanting to defy Heaven, approved the project and work began. Benezet's holy mission was confirmed by no less than 18 miracles of healing.
The stone bridge that replaced Benezet's damaged bridge in 1234 had 22 arches and 21 piers and was 980 yards long. The arches were low and were liable to collapse when the river ran too high. Only one chapel, Saint Nicholas Chapel, and four arches remain of the bridge. The bridge was listed as a Historical Monument in 1840.
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Pont Saint-B茅n茅zet (St. Benezet Bridge) on Map
Sight Name: Pont Saint-B茅n茅zet (St. Benezet Bridge)
Sight Location: Avignon, France (See walking tours in Avignon)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Avignon, France (See walking tours in Avignon)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Avignon, France
Create Your Own Walk in Avignon
Creating your own self-guided walk in Avignon is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Avignon Introduction Walking Tour
The thing about a wall around a city is to keep unwanted visitors out. But the massive walls encircling Avignon tend to keep visitors in. And the visitors don't mind it. Is this a mystery? Not when one considers what is inside the walls of Avignon. And forget driving. Park the car and walk.
First encounter is the Popes' Palace. This awesome mountain of a palace was built in the 1300s.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
First encounter is the Popes' Palace. This awesome mountain of a palace was built in the 1300s.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Avignon's Architectural Jewels
Centuries of history in Avignon are well seen in the stones of some of France鈥檚 best preserved architectural monuments. The city's architecture may well not be as diverse as elsewhere in the country, but it is really difficult to find another place whose history is just as complicated and dynamic as Avignon's.
Being one of only two cities on earth that can claim to be the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Being one of only two cities on earth that can claim to be the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles