Things to see in Avignon

'Sur le pont d'Avignon on y danse, on y danse ...' - the melody of the 19th-century song still draws visitors to the famed bridge that is formally known as the Pont St Bénezet, after the shepherd whose heavenly vision and determination led to the bridge being built. Spanning the two channels of the River Rhône and the island in between ( Ile de la Barthelasse ), the bridge was built between 1177 and January 1185. Originally made of wood, it had to be continuously rebuilt, as it was the only crossing, providing a link between the Mediterranean and Lyon, an important trade hub in the Middle Ages. The river finally won the day, washing away the bridge in the mid 1600s. Today, only four of its original 22 arches and the tiny Chapelle St Nicholas remain. This delicate Romanesque chapel, dedicated to St Nicholas, patron saint of barge men, should not be missed. A small museum, situated beneath the ticket office, contains images of the bridge in former centuries.

The Musée Calvet is one of southern France’s most appealing small museums of art and archaeology. Housed in a splendid 18th-century mansion, with fine, spacious, well-organised galleries, it displays a very varied collection of paintings, sculptures and other artworks from the 15th to the 20th century, ranging from fine arts to decorative crafts such as tapestry, jewellery and porcelain, as well as ethnic art, and examples of work by some of the best known modern painters (among them Corot, Manet, Sisley and Modigliani) to pieces by less well-known local artists. There’s a remarkable archaeology collection too, and frequent interesting special exhibitions.

City buses link Avignon’s Old Town with its suburban 'ville neuve' (new town) across the Rhône. Originally Villeneuve allowed the King of France to keep an eye on the popes on the far side of the river. Soon popes and cardinals themselves could not resist its charms, and built their own luxurious Villeneuve residences. Together with neighbouring Les Angles, it still has impressive views of the Papal city. Philippe le Bel Tower was the other end of Pont St Bénézet. The key attraction is the Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction. Founded by Pope Innocent VI, in 1356, this was once the largest and most important Carthusian monastery in France.

One of Europe’s largest river islands, peaceful Ile de la Barthelasse rests between two arms of the Rhône. Easily reached by bus from the Old City, or by ferry from the waterside close to Pont St Bénézet, the island has become the Avignon residents’ principal place for spending a few leisure hours. A huge array of bird species live on the island, including hawks, kites and harriers as well as many water fowl and other wildlife. In addition, there are green parks, shaded cycle paths, market gardens, waterside walks, campsites and restaurants, and sports facilities that include river boat hire.