【World Heritage Site】What is the Historic Centre of Avignon? The Heart of Provence!

Avignon is a city located in southeastern France, and is the central city of the Provence region, a popular area in southern France. Here, there is a World Heritage Site, "Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge," which is a group of medieval buildings.

The children's song "Sur le pont d'Avignon" (On Avignon Bridge), famous in Avignon, is modeled after the Saint-Bénézet Bridge over the Rhône River in Avignon. This Saint-Bénézet Bridge is also one of the historical buildings included in the World Heritage Site. In addition, the Papal Palace, Petit Palais, and Avignon Cathedral of Notre-Dame-des-Doms are included in the World Heritage Site and are tourist attractions.

We will introduce such an attractive World Heritage Site, "Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge."

What is the "Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge"?

Registered in 1995 as the "Historic Centre of Avignon," the registration name was changed in 2006 to "Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge."

The entire city has a medieval townscape, like a maze of stone pavements. Avignon has buildings from the period when the Roman Papal See was located there in the 14th century, including the Papal Palace, Petit Palais, Avignon Cathedral of Notre-Dame-des-Doms, and Saint-Bénézet Bridge, which are included in the World Heritage Site.

Avignon is visited by many tourists as a city with a historic World Heritage Site and as a medieval city with a series of ramparts.

Access to the Historic Centre of Avignon

There are no direct flights to Avignon, so you will enter by air to Paris or neighboring countries, and then transfer. Take the TGV (Paris high-speed rail) from Lyon Station in Paris, and arrive at Avignon Central Station in about 3 hours. The Historic Centre of Avignon is about a 10-minute walk from this station.

Recommended Point of the Historic Centre of Avignon ①: Papal Palace of Avignon

Avignon was the Roman Papal See for about a century from the beginning of the 14th century. The symbolic building "Papal Palace of Avignon" was built at that time.

The total area of this palace is 15,000 square meters, one of the largest existing medieval Gothic architectural structures in Europe. It is an important building among the World Heritage Sites, and a tourist spot not to be missed in this city.

Every year from July to August, the Avignon Festival, an international festival, is held. This event is the oldest theater festival in the world, started in 1947 by director Jean Vilar. About 90,000 performers and audiences, close to the population of the city of Avignon, visit from France and all over the world. The theater performances held in the historic palace, a World Heritage Site, will feel even more wonderful.

Recommended Point of the Historic Centre of Avignon ②: Rocher des Doms Park

Rocher des Doms refers to the fortress-like rugged cliffs north of the Papal Palace. Currently, there is a park on top of these cliffs, which is a place of relaxation for Avignon citizens and tourists. There are fountains and cafes in the green park, so it is a place you want to use as a rest stop during a city walk.

The view from the park is good, and you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Rhône River, Saint-Bénézet Bridge, vineyards, and the city of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon on the opposite bank. Unlike other buildings included in the Avignon World Heritage Site, it is a place where you can feel the nature of southern France, so please stop by.

Recommended Point of the Historic Centre of Avignon ③: City Walls

The old city of Avignon is surrounded by city walls built in the 14th century when the Papal See was located there. These city walls are also included in the World Heritage Site "Historic Centre of Avignon," creating a spectacular view that borders the city of Avignon.

Although there are opinions that these city walls are not excellent from a defensive point of view, they are a valuable World Heritage Site that conveys the appearance of a medieval city fortress to the present day. There are several gates in the city walls, and the Porte de la République, which is closest to the Avignon Centre Station, continues to Rue de la République, which is also the main street of the old city.

If you enter from this gate, you can go almost straight to the Papal Palace and Rocher des Doms Park, which are home to many shops and restaurants.

◎ Summary of French World Heritage Site "Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge"

We have introduced the World Heritage Site "Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge" in Avignon, the central city of the Provence region. The group of buildings that tell the story of medieval history beautifully colors the city of Avignon.

The Rocher des Doms Park, where you can also touch the nature of southern France, which is characterized by its dry land, is also attractive. You can take the TGV from Paris for about 3 hours and catch a glimpse of a different side of France from Paris. The Provence region, where Avignon is located, is an area with many beautiful towns and villages, so please extend your trip.

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【World Heritage Site】What is the Historic Centre of Avignon? The Heart of Provence!