1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers
> 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river
estuaries.
2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes
(e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.
Avignon
Avignon (French pronunciation: [avi'ɲɔ̃]; Latin: Avenio;
Occitan: Avignoun, Occitan: Avinhon pronounced [aviˈɲun]) is a
commune in south-eastern
France
France in the department of
Vaucluse
Vaucluse on the
left bank of the
Rhône
Rhône river. Of the 90,194 inhabitants of the city
(as of 2011[update]), about 12,000 live in the ancient town centre
enclosed by its medieval ramparts.
Between 1309 and 1377, during the
Avignon
Avignon Papacy, seven successive
popes resided in
Avignon
Avignon and in 1348
Pope Clement VI
Pope Clement VI bought the town
from Joanna I of Naples. Papal control persisted until 1791 when,
during the French Revolution, it became part of France. The town is
now the capital of the
Vaucluse
Vaucluse department and one of the few French
cities to have preserved its ramparts.
The historic centre, which includes the Palais des Papes, the
cathedral, and the Pont d'Avignon, became a
UNESCO
UNESCO World Heritage Site
in 1995. The medieval monuments and the annual
Festival d'Avignon
Festival d'Avignon have
helped to make the town a major centre for tourism.
The commune has been awarded one flower by the National Council of
Towns and Villages in Bloom in the Competition of cities and villages
in Bloom.[1]
Contents
1 Toponymy
2 History
3 Geography
3.1 Geology and terrain
3.2 Hydrography
3.2.1 Artificial diversions
3.3 Seismicity
3.4 Climate
3.4.1 The mistral
4 Demographics
5 Administration
5.1 List of Mayors
5.2 Twinning
5.3 Evolution of the borders of the commune
5.4 Area and population
6 Economy
6.1 Areas of economic activity
6.2 Tourism
6.3 Agriculture
6.4 Industry
6.5 Public sector (excluding government)
6.6 Employment
7 Transport
7.1 Roads
7.2 Railways
7.3 Airports
7.4 Water transport
7.5 Public transport
7.6 Bicycles
8 Cultural heritage
8.1 Religious historical objects
8.2 Picture gallery
9 Culture
9.1
Avignon
Avignon Festival
9.2 The International Congress Centre
9.3 "Sur le Pont d'Avignon"
10 Sport
11 Nuclear pollution
12 Education
12.1 University of Avignon
12.1.1 University before the Revolution
12.1.2 Modern university
13 People who were born or died in Avignon
14 See also
15 Notes
16 References
17 Sources
18 External links
Toponymy[edit]
The earliest forms of the name were reported by the Greeks:[2]
Аὐενιὼν = Auenion (Stephen of Byzantium, Strabo, IV, 1, 11)
Άουεννίων = Aouennion (Ptolemy II, x).
The Roman name Avennĭo Cavarum (Mela, II, 575, Pliny III, 36), i.e.
"
Avignon
Avignon of Cavares" accurately shows that
Avignon
Avignon was one of the
three cities of the Celtic-Ligurian tribe of Cavares, along with
Cavaillon
Cavaillon and Orange.
The current name dates to a pre-Indo-European[2] or pre-Latin[3] theme
ab-ên with the suffix -i-ōn(e)[2][3] This theme would be a hydronym
– i.e. a name linked to the river (Rhône), but perhaps also an
oronym of terrain (the Rocher des Doms).
The Auenion of the 1st century BC was Latinized to Avennĭo (or
Avēnĭo), -ōnis in the 1st century and was written Avinhon in
classic
Occitan
Occitan spelling[4] or Avignoun [aviɲũ] in Mistralian
spelling[5] The inhabitants of the commune are called avinhonencs or
avignounen in both
Occitan
Occitan and Provençal dialect.
History[edit]
Main articles:
History of Avignon
History of Avignon and Timeline of Avignon
Geography[edit]
Avignon
Avignon is on the left bank of the
Rhône
Rhône river, a few kilometres
above its confluence with the Durance, about 580 km (360 mi)
south-east of Paris, 229 km (142 mi) south of
Lyon
Lyon and
85 km (53 mi) north-north-west of Marseille. On the west it
shares a border with the department of
Gard
Gard and the communes of
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and Les Angles and to the south it borders the
department of Bouches-du-
Rhône
Rhône and the communes of Barbentane,
Rognonas, Châteaurenard, and Noves.
The city is in the vicinity of Orange (north), Nîmes, Montpellier
(south-west),
Arles
Arles (to the south), Salon-de-Provence, and Marseille
(south-east). Directly contiguous to the east and north are the
communes of Caumont-sur-Durance, Morières-lès-Avignon, Le Pontet,
and Sorgues.
Geology and terrain[edit]
Aerial view of Avignon
The region around
Avignon
Avignon is very rich in limestone which is used for
building material. For example, the current ramparts, measuring 4,330
metres long, were built with the soft limestone abundant in the region
called mollasse burdigalienne.[6]
Enclosed by the ramparts, the Rocher des Doms is a limestone elevation
of urgonian type, 35 metres high[7] (and therefore safe from flooding
of the Rhone which it overlooks) and is the original core of the city.
Several limestone massifs are present around the commune (the Massif
des Angles, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, Alpilles...) and they are partly
the result of the oceanisation of the Ligurian-Provençal basin
following the migration of the Sardo-Corsican block.[6]
The other significant elevation in the commune is the
Montfavet
Montfavet Hill
– a wooded hill in the east of the commune.[6]
The Rhone Valley is an old alluvial zone: loose deposits cover much of
the ground. It consists of sandy alluvium more or less coloured with
pebbles consisting mainly of siliceous rocks. The islands in the
Rhone, such as the Île de la Barthelasse, were created by the
accumulation of alluvial deposits and also by the work of man. The
relief is quite low despite the creation of mounds allowing local
protection from flooding.[6]
In the land around the city there are clay, silt, sand, and limestone
present.[6]
Hydrography[edit]
Bridges on the Grand Rhône.
The
Pont d'Avignon
Pont d'Avignon on the Petit Rhône. In the background is Mont
Ventoux.
The Rhone passes the western edge of the city but is divided into two
branches: the Petit Rhône, or "dead arm", for the part that passes
next to
Avignon
Avignon and the Grand Rhône, or "live arm", for the western
channel which passes
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon in the
Gard
Gard department.
The two branches are separated by an island, the Île de la
Barthelasse. The southernmost tip of the Île de la Barthelasse once
formed of a separated island, the L'Île de Piot.[8]
The banks of the Rhone and the Île de la Barthelasse are often
subject to flooding during autumn and March. The publication Floods in
France
France since the 6th century until today – research and
documentation[9] by Maurice Champion tells about a number of them
(until 1862, the flood of 1856 was one of the largest, which destroyed
part of the walls). They have never really stopped as shown by the
floods in 1943–1944[10] and again on 23 January 1955[11] and remain
important today – such as the floods of 2 December 2003.[12] As a
result, a new risk mapping has been developed.
The
Durance
Durance flows along the southern boundary of the commune into the
Rhone and marks the departmental boundary with Bouches-du-Rhône.[13]
It is a river that is considered "capricious" and once feared for its
floods (it was once called the "3rd scourge of Provence"[a] as well as
for its low water: the
Durance
Durance has both Alpine and Mediterranean
morphology which is unusual.
There are many natural and artificial water lakes in the commune such
as the Lake of Saint-Chamand east of the city.
Artificial diversions[edit]
A mill on the
Vaucluse
Vaucluse Canal in the Pont des 2 eaux district
There have been many diversions[14] throughout the course of history,
such as feeding the moat surrounding
Avignon
Avignon or irrigating crops.
In the 10th century part of the waters from the
Sorgue
Sorgue d'Entraigues
were diverted and today pass under the ramparts to enter the city.
(See Sorgue). This watercourse is called the
Vaucluse
Vaucluse Canal but
Avignon
Avignon people still call it the
Sorgue
Sorgue or Sorguette. It is visible in
the city in the famous Rue des teinturiers (street of dyers). It fed
the moat around the first ramparts then fed the moat on the newer
eastern city walls (14th century).[citation needed] In the 13th
century (under an Act signed in 1229) part of the waters of the
Durance
Durance were diverted to increase the water available for the moats
starting from Bonpas. This river was later called the
Durançole.[citation needed] The Durançole fed the western moats of
the city and was also used to irrigate crops at Montfavet. In the city
these streams are often hidden beneath the streets and houses and are
currently used to collect sewerage.[citation needed]
The Hospital Canal (joining the Durançole) and the Crillon Canal
(1775) were dug to irrigate the territories of Montfavet, Pontet, and
Vedène.[citation needed] They were divided into numerous "fioles" or
"filioles" (in Provençal filhòlas or fiolo). Similarly, to irrigate
the gardens of the wealthy south of Avignon, the Puy Canal was dug
(1808). All of these canals took their water from the Durance. These
canals were initially used to flood the land, which was very stony, to
fertilize them by deposition of silt.[citation needed]
All of these canals have been used to operate many mills.
Seismicity[edit]
The leaning bell tower of the Church of the Augustinians.
Under the new seismic zoning of
France
France defined in Decree No. 2010-1255
of 22 October 2010 concerning the delimitation of the seismicity of
the French territory and which entered into force on 1 May 2011,
Avignon
Avignon is located in an area of moderate seismicity. The previous
zoning is shown below for reference.
"The cantons of Bonnieux, Apt, Cadenet, Cavaillon, and
Pertuis
Pertuis are
classified in zone Ib (low risk). All other cantons the Vaucluse
department, including Avignon, are classified Ia (very low risk). This
zoning is for exceptional seismicity resulting in the destruction of
buildings.".[15]
The presence of faults in the limestone substrate shows that
significant tectonic shift has caused earthquakes in different
geological ages. The last major earthquake of significant magnitude
was on 11 June 1909.[b] It left a visible trace in the centre of the
city since the bell tower of the Augustinians, which is surmounted by
an ancient campanile of wrought iron, located in Rue Carreterie,
remained slightly leaning as a result of this earthquake.
Main article: 1909
Provence
Provence earthquake
Climate[edit]
Avignon
Avignon has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa in the Köppen climate
classification), with mild-cool winters and hot summers, with moderate
rainfall year-round. July and August are the hottest months with
average daily maximum temperatures of around 28 °C, and January
and February the coldest with average daily maximum temperatures of
around 9 °C. The wettest month is September, with a rain average
of 102 millimetres, and the driest month is July, when the monthly
average rainfall is 37 millimetres. The city is often subject to windy
weather; the strongest wind is the mistral. A medieval Latin proverb
said of the city: Avenie ventosa, sine vento venenosa, cum vento
fastidiosa (Windy Avignon, pest-ridden when there is no wind,
wind-pestered when there is).[16]
Climate data for
Avignon
Avignon (1981–2010 averages, extremes
1958–present)
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Record high °C (°F)
20.9
(69.6)
22.3
(72.1)
26.5
(79.7)
31.1
(88)
34.1
(93.4)
37.7
(99.9)
39.7
(103.5)
40.5
(104.9)
35.3
(95.5)
30.8
(87.4)
24.3
(75.7)
21.0
(69.8)
40.5
(104.9)
Average high °C (°F)
10.2
(50.4)
11.8
(53.2)
15.6
(60.1)
18.6
(65.5)
23.1
(73.6)
27.3
(81.1)
30.7
(87.3)
30.0
(86)
25.3
(77.5)
20.2
(68.4)
14.0
(57.2)
10.5
(50.9)
19.8
(67.6)
Daily mean °C (°F)
5.9
(42.6)
7.1
(44.8)
10.3
(50.5)
13.1
(55.6)
17.3
(63.1)
21.2
(70.2)
24.2
(75.6)
23.7
(74.7)
19.6
(67.3)
15.4
(59.7)
9.9
(49.8)
6.6
(43.9)
14.6
(58.3)
Average low °C (°F)
1.6
(34.9)
2.3
(36.1)
5.1
(41.2)
7.5
(45.5)
11.4
(52.5)
15.2
(59.4)
17.8
(64)
17.3
(63.1)
14.0
(57.2)
10.5
(50.9)
5.8
(42.4)
2.7
(36.9)
9.3
(48.7)
Record low °C (°F)
−13
(9)
−14
(7)
−9.5
(14.9)
−2.2
(28)
1.3
(34.3)
4.4
(39.9)
8.6
(47.5)
8.0
(46.4)
3.9
(39)
−2.2
(28)
−7.4
(18.7)
−14
(7)
−14
(7)
Average precipitation mm (inches)
48.7
(1.917)
37.6
(1.48)
38.6
(1.52)
66.1
(2.602)
62.5
(2.461)
41.0
(1.614)
26.6
(1.047)
45.8
(1.803)
97.6
(3.843)
91.4
(3.598)
71.1
(2.799)
49.0
(1.929)
676.0
(26.614)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)
5.4
4.8
4.4
7.1
6.5
4.3
2.4
3.3
5.3
7.2
6.7
5.6
62.9
Source: Météo France[17]
According to Météo-
France
France the number of days per year with rain
above 2.5 litres per square metre is 45 and the amount of water, rain
and snow combined is 660 litres per square metre. Average temperatures
vary between 0 and 30 °C depending on the season. The record
temperature record since the existence of the weather station at
Orange is 40.7 °C on 26 July 1983 and the record lowest was
−14.5 °C on 2 February 1956.[18]
The mistral[edit]
The prevailing wind is the mistral for which the windspeed can be
beyond 110 km/h. It blows between 120 and 160 days per year with
an average speed of 90 km/h in gusts.[19] The following table
shows the different speeds of the mistral recorded by Orange and
Carpentras
Carpentras Serres stations in the southern Rhone valley and its
frequency in 2006. Normal corresponds to the average of the last 53
years from Orange weather reports and that of the last 42 at
Carpentras.[20]
Legend: "=" same as normal; "+" Higher than normal; "-" Lower than
normal.
Speed of Mistral winds
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May.
Jun.
Jul.
Aug.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Maximum recorded speed by month
106 km/h
127 km/h
119 km/h
97 km/h
94 km/h
144 km/h
90 km/h
90 km/h
90 km/h
87 km/h
91 km/h
118 km/h
Tendency: Days with speed
> 16 m/s (58 km/h)
--
+++
---
++++
++++
=
=
++++
+
---
=
++
Demographics[edit]
In 2010, the commune had 89,683 inhabitants. The evolution of the
number of inhabitants is known from the population censuses conducted
in the commune since 1793. From the 21st century, a census of communes
with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants is held every five years, unlike
larger communes that have a sample survey every year.
Population change (See database)
1793
1800
1806
1821
1831
1836
1841
1846
1851
24,000
21,412
23,789
29,407
29,889
31,786
33,844
35,169
35,890
1856
1861
1866
1872
1876
1881
1886
1891
1896
37,077
36,081
36,427
38,196
38,008
37,657
41,007
43,453
45,107
1901
1906
1911
1921
1926
1931
1936
1946
1954
46,896
48,312
49,304
48,177
51,685
57,228
59,472
60,053
62,768
1962
1968
1975
1982
1990
1999
2006
2010
-
72,717
86,096
90,786
89,132
86,939
85,935
90,800
89,683
-
Sources : Ldh/EHESS/Cassini until 1962,
INSEE database from 1968
(population without double counting and municipal population from
2006)
Administration[edit]
Avignon
Avignon is the prefecture (capital) of
Vaucluse
Vaucluse department in the
Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur
Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region. It forms the core of the Grand
Avignon
Avignon metropolitan area (communauté d'agglomération), which
comprises 15 communes on both sides of the river:[21]
Les Angles, Pujaut, Rochefort-du-Gard, Sauveterre,
Saze
Saze and
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon in the
Gard
Gard département;
Avignon, Caumont-sur-Durance, Entraigues-sur-la-Sorgue, Jonquerettes,
Morières-lès-Avignon, Le Pontet, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon,
Vedène
Vedène and
Velleron
Velleron in the
Vaucluse
Vaucluse département.
List of Mayors[edit]
List of Successive Mayors[22]
Mayors from the
French Revolution
French Revolution to 1940
From
To
Name
1790
1790
Jean-Baptiste d'Armand
1790
1791
Antoine Agricol Richard
1791
1792
Levieux-Laverne
1792
1793
Jean-Ettienne Duprat
1793
1793
Jean-André Cartoux
1793
1793
Jean-François ROCHETIN
1795
1795
Guillaume François Ignace Puy
1795
1796
Alexis Bruny
1796
1796
Père Minvielle
1796
1797
Faulcon
1797
1798
Père Minvielle
1798
1799
Cadet Garrigan
1799
1800
Père Niel
1800
1806
Guillaume François Ignace PUY
1806
1811
Agricol Joseph Xavier Bertrand
1811
1815
Guillaume François Ignace Puy
1815
1815
Hippolyte Roque de Saint-Pregnan
1815
1819
Charles de Camis-Lezan
1819
1820
Louis Duplessis de Pouzilhac
1820
1826
Charles Soullier
1826
1830
Louis
Pertuis
Pertuis de Montfaucon
1830
1832
François Jillian
1832
1833
Balthazar Delorme
1834
1837
Hippolyte Roque de Saint-Pregnan
1837
1841
Dominique Geoffroy
1841
1843
Albert d'Olivier de Pezet
1843
1847
Eugène Poncet
1847
1848
Hyacinthe Chauffard
1848
1848
Alphonse Gent
1848
1848
Frédéric Granier
1848
1850
Gabriel Vinay
1850
1852
Martial BOSSE
1852
1853
Eugène Poncet
1853
1865
Paul Pamard
1865
1870
Paul Poncet
1870
1871
Paul Bourges
1871
1874
Paul Poncet
1874
1878
Roger du Demaine
1878
1881
Paul Poncet
1881
1881
Eugène Millo
1881
1884
Charles Deville
1884
1888
Paul Poncet
1888
1903
Gaston Pourquery de Boisserin
1903
1904
Alexandre Dibon
1904
1910
Henri Guigou
1910
1919
Louis Valayer
1919
1925
Ferdinand Bec
1925
1928
Louis Gros
1929
1940
Louis Nouveau
Mayors from 1940
From
To
Name
Party
Position
1940
1942
Jean Gauger
1942
1944
Edmond Pailheret
1944
1945
Louis Gros
1945
1947
Georges Pons
1947
1948
Paul Rouvier
1948
1950
Henri Mazo
1950
1953
Noël Hermitte
1953
1958
Edouard Daladier
1958
1983
Henri Duffaut
PS
1983
1989
Jean-Pierre Roux
RPR
1989
1995
Guy Ravier
PS
1995
2014
Marie-José ROIG
UMP
2014
2020
Cécile HELLE
PS
(Not all data is known)
Twinning[edit]
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in France
Avignon
Avignon has twinning associations with:[23]
Colchester
Colchester (United Kingdom) since 1972.[24]
Guanajuato
Guanajuato (Mexico) since 1990.
Ioanina
Ioanina (Greece) since 1984.
New Haven
New Haven (Connecticut, USA) since 1993.
Siena
Siena (Italy) since 1981.
Tarragona
Tarragona (Spain) since 1968.
Wetzlar
Wetzlar (Germany) since 1960.
Evolution of the borders of the commune[edit]
Avignon
Avignon absorbed
Montfavet
Montfavet between 1790 and 1794 then ceded
Morières-lès-Avignon
Morières-lès-Avignon in 1870 and Le Pontet in 1925.[25] On 16 May
2007 the commune of Les Angles in
Gard
Gard ceded 13 hectares to
Avignon.[26]
Area and population[edit]
The city of
Avignon
Avignon has an area of 64.78 km2 and a population of
92,078 inhabitants in 2010 and is ranked as follows:[26]
Rank
Land Area
Population
Density
France
524th
46th
632nd
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
105th
5th
23rd
Vaucluse
6th
1st
2nd
Economy[edit]
Avignon
Avignon is the seat of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of
Vaucluse
Vaucluse which manages the
Avignon
Avignon – Caumont Airport and the
Avignon-Le Pontet Docks.
Avignon
Avignon has 7,000 businesses, 1,550 associations, 1,764 shops, and
1,305 service providers.[27] The urban area has one of the largest
catchment areas in Europe with more than 300,000 square metres of
retail space and 469 m2 per thousand population against 270 on average
in France.[28] The commercial area of
Avignon
Avignon Nord is one of the
largest in Europe.[29]
The tertiary sector is the most dynamic in the department by far on
the basis of the significant production of early fruit and vegetables
in Vaucluse, The MIN (Market of National Importance) has become the
pivotal hub of commercial activity in the department, taking
precedence over other local markets (including that of Carpentras).
A
Sensitive urban zone was created for companies wanting to relocate
with exemptions from tax and social issues.[30] It is located south of
Avignon
Avignon between the city walls and the
Durance
Durance located in the
districts of Croix Rouge, Monclar, Saint-Chamand, and La Rocade.[31]
Areas of economic activity[edit]
There are nine main areas of economic activity in Avignon.[32]
The Courtine area is the largest with nearly 300 businesses (of which
roughly half are service establishments, one third are shops, and the
rest related to industry) and more than 3,600 jobs.[32] The site
covers an area of 300 hectares and is located south-west of the city
at the TGV railway station.
Then comes the Fontcouverte area with a hundred establishments
representing a thousand jobs. It is, however, more oriented towards
shops than the Courtine area.[32]
The MIN area of
Avignon
Avignon is the Agroparc area[c] (or "Technopole
Agroparc"). The Cristole area is contiguous and both have a little
less than a hundred establishments.[32]
Finally, the areas of Castelette, Croix de Noves, Realpanier, and the
airport each have fewer than 25 establishments spread between service
activities and shops. The area of the Castelette alone represents more
than 600 jobs – i.e. 100 more than Cristole.[32]
Tourism[edit]
Four million visitors come annually to visit the city and the region
and also for its festival.[27] In 2011 the most popular tourist
attraction was the
Palais des Papes
Palais des Papes with 572,972 paying visitors.[33]
The annual
Festival d'Avignon
Festival d'Avignon is the most important cultural event in
the city. The official festival attracted 135,800 people in 2012.[33]
A cruise boat at the quay at Avignon.
River tourism began in 1994 with three river boat-hotels.[citation
needed] In 2011 there is a fleet of 21 river boat-hotelsbuildings,
including six sight-seeing boats which are anchored on the quay along
the Oulle walkways. In addition a free shuttle boat connects Avignon
to the Île de la Barthelasse and, since 1987, a harbor master has
managed all river traffic.
Agriculture[edit]
Fruit and Vegetables at the Markets of Avignon
The city is the headquarters of the International Association of the
Mediterranean tomato, the World Council of the tomato industry, and
the Inter-
Rhône
Rhône organisation.
Industry[edit]
Only EDF (Grand Delta) with about 850 employees and Onet Propreté[d]
with just over 300 exceed 100 employees.[34]
Public sector (excluding government)[edit]
The Henri Duffaut hospital, the City of Avignon, and the CHS of
Montfavet
Montfavet are the largest employers in the town with about 2,000
employees each. Then comes the General Council of
Vaucluse
Vaucluse with about
1,300 employees.[34]
Employment[edit]
In 2011 the unemployment rate was 15.6% while it was 13.7% in
2006.[35] There are 39,100 people in the
Avignon
Avignon workforce: 78 (0.2%)
agricultural workers, 2,191 (5.6%) tradesmen, shopkeepers, and
business managers, 4,945 (12.6%) managers and intellectuals, 8,875
(22.6%) middle managers, 12,257 (31.3%) employees, and 9,603 (24.6%)
workers.[35]
Transport[edit]
Roads[edit]
Avignon
Avignon is close to two highways:
the
A7 autoroute
A7 autoroute (E714) is a north-south axis on which there are two
exits: 23 Avignon-Nord (Northern districts of Avignon, Le
Pontet, Carpentras) and 24 Avignon-Sud (Southern districts
of Avignon, Avignon-Caumont Airport);
the
A9 autoroute
A9 autoroute (E15) which branches from the A7 near Orange along a
north-east south-west axis towards Spain.
The main roads are:
Route nationale
Route nationale N100 which goes west to Remoulins
The D225 which goes north towards Entraigues-sur-la-Sorgue
The D62 which goes north-east to Vedène
The D28 which goes east to Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon
The D901 which goes south-east to Morières-lès-Avignon
Route nationale
Route nationale N570 which goes south to Rognonas
The city has nine paid parking buildings with a total of 7,100 parking
spaces, parking buildings under surveillance with a capacity for 2,050
cars with a free shuttle to the city centre, as well as five other
free parking areas with a capacity of 900 cars.[36]
Railways[edit]
Avignon
Avignon is served by two railway stations: the historic train station
built in 1860, the Gare d'Avignon-Centre, located just outside the
city walls, which can accommodate any type of train and, since 2001,
the
Gare d'Avignon TGV
Gare d'Avignon TGV in the "Courtine" district south of the city,
on the
LGV Méditerranée
LGV Méditerranée line. Since December 2013 the two stations
have been connected by a link line – the Virgule. The Montfavet
district, which was formerly a separate commune, also has a
station.[37]
Airports[edit]
The
Avignon - Caumont Airport
Avignon - Caumont Airport on the south-eastern commune border has
several international routes to England. The major airport in the
region with domestic and international scheduled passenger service is
the
Marseille
Marseille
Provence
Provence Airport.
Water transport[edit]
A Water taxi departing from its berth
The
Rhône
Rhône has for many centuries been an important means of
transportation for the city. River traffic in
Avignon
Avignon has two
commercial ports, docking stations for boat cruises, and various
riverfront developments. A free shuttle boat has been established
between the quay near the ramparts and the opposite bank (the île de
la Barthelasse).
A vélopop cycle station next to the city walls
Public transport[edit]
The Transports en Commun de la Région d'Avignon, also known by the
acronym TCRA, is the public transport network for the commune of
Avignon.[38]
Two tram lines are projected to open in 2016 with works expected to
begin in late 2013.[39]
Bicycles[edit]
Avignon
Avignon has 110 km (68 mi) of bicycle paths.[27] In 2009 the
TCRA introduced a bicycle sharing system called the Vélopop'.[40]
Cultural heritage[edit]
Avignon
Avignon has a very large number of sites and buildings (173) that are
registered as historical monuments.[41]
Rue de la République, the city's central boulevard
In the part of the city within the walls the buildings are old but in
most areas they have been restored or reconstructed (such as the post
office and the Lycée Frédéric Mistral).[42] The buildings along the
main street, Rue de la République, date from the Second Empire
(1852–70) with Haussmann façades and amenities around Place de
l'Horloge (the central square), the neoclassical city hall, and the
theatre district.
Statues gaze over the Place de l'Horloge in the town centre
Paintings on the façades of buildings in the town centre
Avignon
Avignon
France
France Clock Tower landscape photo
Listed below are the major sites of interest with those sites
registered as historical monuments indicated:
Notre Dame des Doms
Notre Dame des Doms (12th century),[43] the cathedral, is a Romanesque
building, mainly built during the 12th century; the most prominent
feature of the cathedral is the 19th century gilded statue of the
Virgin which surmounts the western tower. The mausoleum of Pope John
XXII (1334)[44] is one of the most beautiful works within the
cathedral, and is a noteworthy example of 14th-century Gothic carving.
Palais des Papes
Palais des Papes ("Papal Palace") (14th century)[45] almost dwarfs the
cathedral. The palace is an impressive monument and sits within a
square of the same name. The palace was begun in 1316 by
John XXII
John XXII and
continued by succeeding popes through the 14th century, until 1370
when it was finished.
Minor churches of the town include, among others, three churches which
were built in the Gothic architectural style:
Church of Saint-Pierre (1840)[46] which has a graceful façade and
richly carved doors;
Church of Saint-Didier (14th century);[47] and
Church of Saint-Agricol (14th century).[48]
Civic buildings are represented most notably by:
the Hôtel de Ville (city hall) (1846),[49] a relatively modern
building with a bell tower from the 14th century,
the old Hôtel des Monnaies,[50] the papal mint which was built in
1610 and became a music-school.
The Ramparts,[51] built by the popes in the 14th century and still
encircle Avignon. They are one of the finest examples of medieval
fortification in existence. The walls are of great strength and are
surmounted by machicolated battlements flanked at intervals by 39
massive towers and pierced by several gateways, three of which date
from the 14th century. The walls were restored under the direction of
Eugène Viollet-le-Duc
Bridges include:
a little bridge which leads over the river to Villeneuve-les-Avignon
Pont d'Avignon
Pont d'Avignon (the Pont Saint-Bénézet). Only four of the twenty one
piers are left; on one of them stands the small Romanesque chapel of
Saint-Bénézet.[52] But the bridge is best known for the famous
French song Sur le pont d'Avignon.
Calvet Museum, so named after Esprit Calvet, a physician who in 1810
left his collections to the town. It has a large collection of
paintings, metalwork and other objects. The library has over 140,000
volumes.[53]
The town has a Statue of Jean Althen, who migrated from
Persia
Persia and in
1765 introduced the culture of the madder plant, which long formed the
staple—and is still an important tool—of the local cloth trade in
the area.
Musée du Petit Palais (opened 1976) at the end of the square
overlooked by the Palais des Papes, has an exceptional collection of
Renaissance paintings of the
Avignon
Avignon school as well as from Italy,
which reunites many "primitives" from the collection of Giampietro
Campana.
The Hotel d'Europe, one of the oldest hotels in France, in business
since 1799.
The Collection Lambert, houses contemporary art exhibitions
The Musée Angladon exhibits the paintings of a private collector who
created the museum
Musée Lapidaire, with collections of archaeological and medieval
sculptures from the
Fondation Calvet
Fondation Calvet in the old chapel of the Jesuit
College.
Musée Louis-Vouland
Musée Requien
Palais du Roure[54]
Les Halles is a large indoor market that offers fresh produce, meats,
and fish along with a variety of other goods.
The Place Pie is a small square near Place de l'Horloge where you can
partake in an afternoon coffee on the outdoor terraces or enjoy a
night on the town later in the evening as the square fills with young
people.
Religious historical objects[edit]
The commune houses an extremely large number of religious items which
are listed as historical objects. To see a comprehensive list of
objects in each location click on the numbers in the table below:
Locations of Historical Objects
Location
No. of Objects
Cathedral of Notre-Dame des Doms
268 objects
Chapel of the Oratory
1 object
Chapel of the White penitents
5 objects
Chapel of the Grey penitents
3 objects
Chapel of the Black penitents
9 objects
Chapel of the Grand Seminary
1 object
College of Saint-Joseph
3 objects
Hospice of Saint-Louis
1 object
Hospital Sainte-Marthe
26 objects
Hotel of Saint-Priest d'Urgel (Hotel de Monery)
27 objects
House of King René
1 object
Calvet Museum
3 objects
Arch-episcopal Palace
1 object
Palais des Papes
3 objects
Synagogue
4 objects
Church of Saint-Agricol
43 objects
Church of Saint-Didier
21 objects
Church of Saint-Pierre
23 objects
Church of Saint-Symphorien
12 objects
Church of Montfavet
4 objects
Total Objects
459
Picture gallery[edit]
View of the Palais des papes from the square on the western side.
The Abbey of Saint-Ruf.
The
Pont d'Avignon
Pont d'Avignon famous from the song Sur le Pont d'Avignon.
The Pont Saint-Bénézet, illuminated at night.
The Ramparts of Avignon.
The Hôtel des Monnaies.
Culture[edit]
Avignon
Avignon Festival[edit]
A famous theatre festival is held annually in Avignon. Founded in
1947, the
Avignon Festival
Avignon Festival comprises traditional theatrical events as
well as other art forms such as dance, music, and cinema, making good
use of the town's historical monuments. Every summer approximately
100,000 people attend the festival.[55] There are really two festivals
that take place: the more formal "Festival In", which presents plays
inside the Palace of the Popes and the more bohemian "Festival Off",
which is known for its presentation of largely undiscovered plays and
street performances.
The International Congress Centre[edit]
The Centre was created in 1976 within the premises of the Palace of
the Popes and hosts many events throughout the entire year. The
Congress Centre, designed for conventions, seminars, and meetings for
10 to 550 persons, now occupies two wings of the Popes' Palace.[56]
"Sur le Pont d'Avignon"[edit]
View over the
Rhône
Rhône looking northeast, with the Pont Saint-Bénézet
or "Pont d'Avignon" at left
Avignon
Avignon is commemorated by the French song, "Sur le Pont d'Avignon"
("On the bridge of Avignon"), which describes folk dancing. The song
dates from the mid-19th century when
Adolphe Adam
Adolphe Adam included it in the
Opéra comique
Opéra comique Le Sourd ou l'Auberge Pleine which was first performed
in
Paris
Paris in 1853. The opera was an adaptation of the 1790 comedy by
Desforges.[57]
The bridge of the song is the Saint-Bénézet bridge over the Rhône
of which only four arches (out of the initial 22) now remain. A bridge
across the Rhone was built between 1171 and 1185, with a length of
some 900 m (2950 ft), but was destroyed during the siege of
Avignon
Avignon by Louis VIII of
France
France in 1226. It was rebuilt but suffered
frequent collapses during floods and had to be continually repaired.
Several arches were already missing (and spanned by wooden sections)
before the remainder was abandoned in 1669.[58]
Sport[edit]
Sporting Olympique Avignon
Sporting Olympique Avignon is the local rugby league football team.
During the 20th century it produced a number of French international
representative players.
AC Arles-Avignon
AC Arles-Avignon is a professional association football team. They
compete in Ligue 2, having gained promotion from Ligue 3 in June 2009.
After a season 2010–2011 competing in Ligue 1, the Arles-Avignon
team came back in Ligue 2. They play at the Parc des Sports, which has
a capacity of just over 17,000.
Nuclear pollution[edit]
On 8 July 2008 waste containing unenriched uranium leaked into two
rivers from a nuclear plant in southern France. Some 30,000 litres
(7,925 gallons) of solution containing 12g of uranium per litre
spilled from an overflowing reservoir at the facility – which
handles liquids contaminated by uranium – into the ground and into
the Gaffiere and Lauzon rivers. The authorities kept this a secret
from the public for 12 hours then issued a statement prohibiting
swimming and fishing in the Gaffiere and Lauzon rivers.[59]
Education[edit]
The schools within the commune of
Avignon
Avignon are administered by the
Académie d'Aix-Marseille. There are 26 state nursery schools (Écoles
maternelles) for children up to 6, and 32 state primary schools
(Écoles élémentaires) up to 11. There are also 4 private
schools.[60]
University of Avignon[edit]
See also:
Medieval university
Medieval university and List of medieval universities
Entrance to the main university building. This 18th century portico
was once the entrance to the Hôpital Sainte-Marthe.
University before the Revolution[edit]
The medieval University of Avignon, formed from the existing schools
of the city, was formally constituted in 1303 by
Boniface VIII
.jpg/440px-Medieval,_Reused_papal_bulla_of_Pope_Boniface_VIII_(FindID_564384).jpg)
Boniface VIII in a
Papal Bull.
Boniface VIII
Boniface VIII and King
Charles II of Naples
Charles II of Naples were the first
great protectors and benefactors to the university. The Law department
was the most important department covering both civil and
ecclesiastical law. The law department existed nearly exclusively for
some time after the university's formation and remained its most
important department throughout its existence.[61]
In 1413
Antipope John XXIII
Antipope John XXIII founded the University's department of
theology, which for quite some time had only a few students. It was
not until the 16th and 17th centuries that the school developed a
department of medicine. The
Bishop of Avignon
Bishop of Avignon was chancellor of the
university from 1303 to 1475. After 1475 the bishop became an
Archbishop but remained chancellor of the university. The papal
vice-legate, generally a bishop, represented the civil power (in this
case the pope) and was chiefly a judicial officer who ranked higher
than the Primicerius (Rector).[61]
The Primicerius was elected by the Doctors of Law. In 1503 the Doctors
of Law had 4 Theologians and in 1784 two Doctors of Medicine added to
their ranks. Since the Pope was the spiritual head and, after 1348,
the temporal ruler of Avignon, he was able to have a great deal of
influence in all university affairs. In 1413 John XXIII granted the
university extensive special privileges, such as university
jurisdiction and tax exempt status. Political, geographical, and
educational circumstances in the latter part of the university's
existence caused it to seek favour from
Paris
Paris rather than Rome for
protection. During the chaos of the
French Revolution
French Revolution the university
started to gradually disappear and, in 1792, the university was
abandoned and closed.[61]
Modern university[edit]
A university annex of the Faculté des Sciences d'Aix-
Marseille
Marseille was
opened in
Avignon
Avignon in 1963. Over the next 20 years various changes were
made to the provision of tertiary education in the town until finally
in 1984 the Université d'
Avignon
Avignon et des Pays de
Vaucluse
Vaucluse was created.
This was nearly 200 years after the demise of the original Avignon
university.[62] The main campus lies to the east of the city centre
within the city ramparts. The university occupies the 18th century
buildings of the Hôpital Sainte-Marthe. The main building has an
elegant façade with a central portico. The right hand side was
designed by Jean-Baptiste Franque and built between 1743 and 1745.
Franque was assisted by his son François in the design of the
portico. The hospital moved out in the 1980s and, after major works,
the building opened for students in 1997.[63][64] In 2009–2010 there
were 7,125 students registered at the university.[65]
People who were born or died in Avignon[edit]
Trophime Bigot, French painter, died in Avignon, 1650.[66]
Jean Alesi, racing car driver, born in Avignon, 1964
Henri Bosco, writer, born in Avignon, 1888.[67]
Pierre Boulle, author of
The Bridge over the River Kwai
The Bridge over the River Kwai and Planet of
the Apes, born in Avignon, 1912
Alexandre de Rhodes
Alexandre de Rhodes (1591–1664),
Jesuit
Jesuit missionary, born in
Avignon.[68]
Pierre-Esprit Radisson, fur trader and explorer, born in Avignon, 1636
or 1640
Bernard Kouchner, politician, born in Avignon, 1936
Mireille Mathieu, singer, born in Avignon, 1946
Olivier Messiaen, composer, born in Avignon, 1908
Joseph Vernet, painter, born in Avignon, 1714.[69]
John Stuart Mill, liberal philosopher, died at
Avignon
Avignon in 1873 and is
buried in the cemetery.[70]
Dorothea von Rodde-Schlözer, artist and scholar, died in
Avignon
Avignon in
1825
Michel Trinquier, painter, born in Avignon, 1930
René Girard, historian, literary critic, philosopher, and author,
born in Avignon, 1923
Daniel Arsand, writer and publisher, born in Avignon, 1950
Vincent Almendros, writer, winner of the 2015 prix Françoise Sagan,
born in Avignon, 1978
Cédric Carrasso, footballer, born in Avignon, 1981
See also[edit]
Avenir Club Avignonnais, a French association football team
Battle of Avignon (737)
Councils of Avignon, councils of the Roman Catholic Church
Pont Saint-Bénézet
Pont Saint-Bénézet (bridge at Avignon)
Notes[edit]
^ Provençal tradition says that the first two were the mistral and
the Parliament of Aix
^ The épicentre was at Lambesc – a village in Bouches-du-Rhône.
^ This area has had the INRA Centre which carries out scientific
research in engineering environmental management for cultivated land
and forests since 1953.
^ Cleaning company.
References[edit]
^
Avignon
Avignon in the Competition for Towns and Villages in Bloom Archived
10 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine. (in French)
^ a b c Rostaing 1994, p. 30.
^ a b Dauzat & Rostaing 1963, p. 1689.
^ Robert Bourret, French-
Occitan
Occitan Dictionary, Éd. Lacour, Nîmes,
1999, p. 59. (in French)
^ Xavier de Fourvière & Rupert 1902, p. 62.
^ a b c d e Relief and Geology of the
Avignon
Avignon sector, Agence Rosier
website (archived) (in French)
^
Avignon
Avignon Encyclopedia Universalis website (in French)
^ "Cassini map circa 1750: Avignon". David Rumsey Historical Map
Collection. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
^ Champion 1862.
^ Floods in Avignon,
Institut national de l'audiovisuel video
document, consulted on 19 July 2014 (in French)
^ Floods in
Paris
Paris and Avignon, 23 January 1955, Institut national de
l'audiovisuel video document JT 20h, ORTF, consulted on 19 July 2014
(in French)
^ Floods on 2 December 2003,
Institut national de l'audiovisuel video
document (in French)
^ Watercourses: The Èze River (X31-0400),
Sandre database (in French)
^ The Street of Dyers – Avignon, avignon-et-provence.com website,
consulted on 19 July 2014
^ Regulatory Seismic Zoning of France, classed by cantons (as at the
end of 1989) in the PACA rehion, p. 48. (in French)
^ Mistral 1979, p. 196.
^ "Avignon–INRA (84)" (PDF). Fiche Climatologique: Statistiques
1981–2010 et records (in French). Meteo France. Archived from the
original (PDF) on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
^ Infoclimat weather station at Orange (in French)
^ Jean Vialar, Regional and local winds, 1948; reprinted by
Météo-
France
France in 2003. (in French)
^ Source: Inter
Rhône
Rhône technical services at
Avignon
Avignon Metereological
data from 2006 Archived 13 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine. (in
French)
^ "Les communes". Communauté d'Agglomération du Grand Avignon.
Retrieved 25 March 2014.
^ List of Mayors of
France
France (in French)
^ National Commission for Decentralised cooperation (in French)
^ Francis, Valerie. "Twin Town News – Colchester, Avignon, Imola and
Wetzlar" (PDF). The
Colchester
Colchester Twinning Society. Retrieved 22 July
2013.
^ "Des villages de Cassini aux communes d'aujourd'hui: Avignon".
École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS). Retrieved 26
July 2014. .
^ a b Avignon, Town Hall Annual, consulted on 10 September 2010 (in
French)
^ a b c "Contexte économique: Carte d'identité d'Avignon" (in
French). Le Marie, Avignon.
^ A wall of commercial areas, journal le Ravi, November 2008 (in
French)
^ It is the zone, article in the Provençal magazine le Ravi,
September 2011
^ The exemptions in the
Sensitive urban zone of
Avignon
Avignon (in French)
^ Maps and plans of the
Sensitive urban zone of Avignon, Chamber of
Commerce and Industry of Vaucluse, consulted on 19 October 2011 (in
French)
^ a b c d e Principal areas of activity in the department, Chamber of
Commerce and Industry of Vaucluse, consulted on 19 October 2011 (in
French)
^ a b Joly, Sylvie. "
Avignon
Avignon 2013: Dossier de Presse" (PDF) (in
French). Office de Tourisme, Avignon. Archived from the original (PDF)
on 31 July 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
^ a b South
INSEE the highest 10, October 1998, INSEE, consulted on 18
October 2011 (in French)
^ a b Key Employment data, INSEE
^ "Transport: Parking" (in French). La Marie d'Avignon. Retrieved 26
July 2014.
^ "Transport: Le train". La Marie d'Avignon. Retrieved 26 July
2014.
^ "TCRA Transports en Commun Région d'Avignon: Page d'accueil".
Transports en Commun de la Région d'Avignon. Retrieved 26 July
2014.
^ "Le tramway: Un projet optimisé pour 2016". Communauté
d'Agglomération du Grand Avignon. Archived from the original on 2
July 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
^ "Vélopop" (in French). Transports en Commun de la Région
d'Avignon. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
^ "Search for "Avignon" in Mérimée database" (in French). Ministère
de la Culture et de la Communication. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
^ "L'extension du XXe siècle" (in French). Archives Municipales
Avignon. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
^ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081814
Notre Dame des Doms
Notre Dame des Doms (in
French)
^ Ministry of Culture, Palissy PM84000105 Tomb of
Pope John XXII
Pope John XXII (in
French)
^ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081941
Palais des Papes
Palais des Papes (in
French)
^ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081834 Church of Saint-Pierre (in
French)
^ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081832 Church of Saint-Didier (in
French)
^ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081831 Church of Saint-Agricol
(in French)
^ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081880 Hôtel de Ville (in
French)
^ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081864 Hôtel des Monnaies (in
French)
^ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081943 Ramparts (in French)
^ Vella et al. 2013.
^ Vingtain & Aujard-Catot 2001, pp. 84–87.
^ Ministry of Culture, Mérimée PA00081942 Palais du Roure (in
French)
^ "Festival 2014". Retrieved 6 November 2013.
^ "Popes' Palace". Palais-des-papes.com. Archived from the original on
7 January 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
^ Anonymous (6 February 1853), "Théatre Impérial de
l'Opéra-Comique, Le Sourd ou l'Auberge pleine: Comédie en trois
actes de Desforges, mélée de musique par Ad. Adam", Revue et gazette
musicale de Paris: journal des artistes, des amateurs et des
théâtres (in French), Paris, 20 (6): 42 .
^ Rouquette 1974, pp. 219–229.
^ "Europe, Warning over French uranium leak". BBC News. 9 July 2008.
Retrieved 7 July 2009.
^ "Liste des écoles maternelles et primaires". Le Marie d'Avignon.
Retrieved 2 August 2014.
^ a b c Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "University of Avignon".
Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
^ "Présentation: Histoire". Université d'
Avignon
Avignon et des Pays de
Vaucluse. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 5
April 2014.
^ Vingtain & Aujard-Catot 2001, pp. 123–124.
^ Girard 1958, pp. 306–307.
^ "Présentation: Chiffres clés". Université d'
Avignon
Avignon et des Pays
de Vaucluse. Retrieved 5 April 2014. [permanent dead link]
^ Boyer 1988, p. 356.
^ Vitaglione 2000, p. 63.
^ Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Alexandre De Rhodes". Catholic
Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
^ "Claude-Joseph Vernet". National Gallery, London. Retrieved 5 April
2014.
^ Girard 1958, p. 356.
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Aubanel.
Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Avignon". Catholic
Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Councils of Avignon". Catholic
Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "University of Avignon".
Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Avignon". Encyclopædia Britannica
(11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Avignon.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Avignon.
Tourist office website
City council website
Avignon
Avignon greater metropolitan area website (in French)
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Avignon
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WorldCat Identities
VIAF: 159446858
LCCN: n80097464
GND: 4004019-7
SUDOC: 026359979
BNF: cb11862325