Wandering Some More in Avignon

From the square outside the palace, we follow a side street to another large square outside the Opera House, with entertainment, restaurants, bars, and people relaxing and enjoying themselves.

Outside the palace

Chickens roasting in the passageway

In the square in front of the opera

Returning to the square in front of Palais des Papes, we pass throught the square and continue walking toward the river on our way to Le Pont d'Avignon (Pont Saint-Bénézet), a bridge across the Rhône first build between 1177 and 1185.  The initial bridge was destroyed in 1226, rebuilt in 1234 and abandoned in the mid-17th century as the arches tended to collapse every time the river flooded, making maintanence rather expensive.  However, four arches (of the original 22) remain and we walk out over them.  The Rhône is the most powerful and fastest river in France and is a formidable natural element.

At the entrance to the bridge, several displays memorialize the famous children's song Sur le Pont d'Avignon, describing a dance performed under the bridge dating back to the 15th century.

Returning to the square

Along the city walls to Pont d'Avignon

Pont d'Avignon

Sur le Pont d'Avignon

View up and down the Rhône

Back at the city walls, we get more great views of the bridge and the river.

Walking outside the city walls

Returning through the wall into the city, we continue to wander the streets, generally in the direction of the train station.

Back through the city

Wandering the side streets

And passing out through the city walls to the train staion

We hop on our train and head back to Montpellier, after a terriffic day in Avignon, a town that surprised us with how much we liked it.  We'll have to return!