St Benezet Bridge (Pont St-Bénézet) Guide

‘Sur le pont d’Avignon, on y danse, on y danse …’ – this 19th-century children’s song continues to draw visitors to the famed bridge every year. Officially called Pont St-Bénézet after the shepherd Bénézet whose heavenly vision and determination caused the bridge to be built, this 900m-structure (2953ft), once spanned the two channels of the River Rhône and the island in between (Ile de la Barthelasse). Built between 1177 and January 1185, and originally made of wood, it was the only bridge linking the important trade hub, the Mediterranean and Lyon, during the Middle Ages. The bridge had to be continuously rebuilt over the centuries, but was finally washed away by the river in the mid-1600s. Today, only four of its original 22 arches and the tiny Chapelle St-Nicholas remain.

Office du Tourism d’Avignon, 41 cours Jean Jaurès, 84000 Avignon, France
Tel: (04) 3274 3274
Website: www.ot-avignon.fr
or
RMG – 6 rue Pente Rapide Charles Ansidéi, BP 149, 84008 Avignon, Cedex 1, France
Tel: (04) 9027 5074
Website: www.palais-des-papes.com

Air: Marseilles-Provence Airport, Avignon Caumont Airport (domestic flights). Rail: Train: Gare Avignon TGV. Road: Bus: Porte de L’Oulle bus stop. Coach: Services from Aix, Nîmes, l'Isle/Sorgue, Carpentras, Cavaillon and Arles; international services from London, Prague, Brussels and destinations in Spain and Italy. Car: A7, N107 and D225 to Avignon (from Lyon).

Daily 0930-1745 (Nov-Mar); daily 0900-1900 (Apr-Jun and Oct-Nov); daily 0900-2100 (Jul); daily 0900-2000 (Aug-Sep).

EUR3/FFr20 (adult), EUR2.5/FFr16 (child 8-18), free (child under 8) (1 Nov-14 Mar); EUR3.5/FFr23 (adult), EUR3/FFr20 (child 8-18), free (child under 8) (15 Mar-31 Oct).

France