Do you remember the song?

I am sure that you all remember the old song “Sur le pont d’Avignon” which actually dates back to the back to the 15th century and is about a bridge called Pont d’Avignon, but is also known as the Pont St-Bénezet, a famous medieval bridge [pictured right] in the stunning town of Avignon, in southern France.

The bridge originally spanned the Rhône River between Avignon and Villeneuve-lès-Avignon on the left bank and it was built between 1171 and 1185, with an original length of some 900 m [2950 ft), but it suffered frequent collapses during floods and had to be reconstructed several times.

Over the centuries, it became increasingly perilous as arches collapsed and were replaced by rickety wooden sections, with the bridge was finally put out of use by a catastrophic flood in 1668, which swept away much of the structure.

It was subsequently abandoned and no more attempts were made to repair it and since then, its surviving arches have successively collapsed or been demolished, with only four of the initial 22 arches remain intact today.

[Pictured: The Pope’s Palace in Avignon]

The bridge’s construction was inspired by Saint Bénézet, a local shepherd boy who, according to tradition was commanded by angels to build a bridge across the river.  Although he was ridiculed at first, he dramatically “proved” his divine inspiration by miraculously lifting a huge block of stone.   He won support for his project from wealthy sponsors who formed themselves into a Bridge  Brotherhood to fund its construction.

After his death, he was interred on the bridge itself, in a small chapel standing on one of the bridge’s surviving piers on the Avignon side. The bridge was also the site of devotion by the Rhône boatmen, whose patron saint was Saint Nicholas.

They initially worshipped in the Chapel of Saint Nicholas on the bridge itself (where Saint Bénézet’s body was also interred) but the increasing dilapidation of the bridge led to the clergy refusing to preside over services for fear of a total collapse. A new chapel was erected on dry land in the 18th century at the foot of the bridge, on the Avignon side.

[Pictured: The Notre Dame des Doms Cathedral in Avignon]

The bridge had great strategic importance as the only fixed river crossing between Lyon and the Mediterranean and it also formed the only river crossing between the Comtat Venaissin, an enclave controlled by the Pope, with Avignon’s Pope’s Palace a must visit, and France proper under the authority of the Kings of France and as such, it was closely guarded on both sides of the river.

The left bank, which was controlled by the French crown, was overlooked by the formidable fortress of the Tour Phillippe le Bel and the citadel at Villeneuve-les-Avignon.

On the Avignon side, the bridge passed through a large gatehouse erected in the 14th century (with major modifications in the 15th century), passing through and over the city wall and exiting via a ramp (now destroyed) which led into the city.

Fancy a sing song?  Then let it rip:

Sur le pont d’Avignon
L’on y danse, l’on y danse
Sur le pont d’Avignon
L’on y danse tous en rond

On the bridge of Avignon
We all dance there, we all dance there
On the bridge of Avignon
We all dance there in a ring

First Verse

Les beaux messieurs font comm’ ça
Et puis encore comm’ ça.

The handsome gentlemen go this way
Then again go that way

Second Verse

Les belles dames font comm’ ça
Et puis encore comm’ ça.

The beautiful ladies go this way
Then again go that way

Third Verse

Les militaires font comm’ ça
Et puis encore comm’ ça

The soldiers go this way
Then again go that way

Fourth Verse

Les musiciens font comm’ ça
Et puis encore comm’ ça.

The musicians go this way
Then again go that way

What better way to visit Avignon than on Uniworld’s excellent River Royale – pictured.

To hear more about the wonderful city of Avignon and its stunning Pope’s Palace and Cathedral click here now: http://www.travelmole.tv/watch_vdo.php?sid=1&id=14555

A Report by The Mole on location from Europe.