Dancing on the Pont d'Avignon?

"Sur le pont d'Avignon", a simple reading of these words and it's off to the earworm. This well-known French nursery rhyme is said to have been invented between the 15th and 17th centuries by... an unknown author. Neither its origin nor its inventor is known. It was only in 1853 that it became popular thanks to an operetta (Le Sourd ou l'Auberge pleine). Far from being forgotten, Georges Brassens referred to it in the lyrics of "la route aux quatre chansons". The composition follows the classic form: verse, chorus, and has the particularity of promoting all the trades of the time. The song is accompanied by a round dance that was originally done on the banks of the Rhône, which is why some people still say "sous le pont d'Avignon".

This bridge once linked the two shores crossed by the Rhône. This architectural enigma is the subject of many questions. People are wondering how this apparently very solid monument lost 18 of its 22 arches. Due to climatic changes, the bridge was damaged by major floods that weakened the pillars. This climatic phenomenon was not the only reason for its collapse. The soil, made up of stones and mud, also weakened the structure.

Today, the bridge, which stops abruptly in the middle of the Rhône, is a must-see when visiting the city of the Popes. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite the uselessness of the infrastructure, it remains accessible to visitors who want to stroll along the old stony ground and take a few photos with the Rhône as a backdrop, which on its best days takes on a pretty green hue.

As you explore, you'll come across small open terraces offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, revealing all the beauty of the region. The monument is open 7 days a week and can be visited all year round. For a night-time experience, it's also possible to view it under a darkened sky. Between the lights, the old stone and the black sky, the bridge shines with a thousand lights. It's a great experience!

For budding photographers, you can take some great shots from the riverbank. Take the Quai Joël Bameule, which runs alongside the Rhône, and observe the bridge from different angles. To admire the abrupt end, go to the other side of the shore on the chemin de l'île de Piot, where the bridge takes on a whole new angle. This is a great opportunity to see the structure with the splendid Palace of the Popes towering over the city.

For a more unusual experience, take a lunchtime cruise on a boat and visit Avignon and its legendary bridge from the water.

Just a stone's throw from the attraction, Le 46 is a restaurant serving homemade French cuisine with a touch of the south. Fresh produce from local producers. A concentrate of Provence on your plate. The restaurant is also a tapas bar where you can enjoy an aperitif and share a few platters. To accompany your dishes, the restaurant offers a fine wine list with local and regional wines, as well as a selection of international wines.

📍 Address: boulevard de la Ligne

⏰ Opening times :

Every day:

• From 20 May to 30 June and from 1 September to 31 December: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• From 1 July to 13 July and from 16 August to 31 August: 10 am to 6 pm
• 14 July to 15 August: 10am to 7pm

Last entry 30 minutes before closing time.

👛 Price :

• Normal: €5

• Preferential: €4 for people aged 8 to 17, students, large families, people with disabilities of less than 80%, people aged over 60, RSA recipients, Cézam card holders.

• Free admission for children under the age of 8, people with a disability of 80% or more and an accompanying adult, residents of Avignon and Montfavet every Sunday from 1 September to 30 June on presentation of proof of address, tourist guides, journalists, jobseekers on presentation of proof of less than 6 months' employment, holders of pass culture cards (Avignon residents under the age of 26).

👉 Accessibility :

A lift is available on site for people with reduced mobility.