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_City Overview Avignon, situated in the heart of the Vaucluse region in the south of France, is famed for two celebrated attractions – Le Palais des Papes (Pope’s Palace) and Pont St Bénezet (the bridge made famous in the ditty ‘Sur le pont d’Avignon, on y danse, on y danse…’). But the city has much more to offer. The Palais des Papes marks the skyline with its graceful and ornate spires, an exterior more awe-inspiring than anything inside. Fire destroyed many of the rooms and only one single bedroom remains fully furnished to impress visitors. The famous bridge, erected in the 12th century, to carry St Bénezet over to the neighbouring village of Villeneuve, nowadays retains only four of its original 22 arches. Flood, fire, pillaging, plague and Le Mistral have all ravaged Avignon. Allegedly, the town got its name from the Celts, who dubbed the area ‘Avenio’ (‘the town of violent winds’), in the Bronze Age. Despite all of this, most of Avignon amazingly has remained intact. Around every corner of the narrow, winding cobbled streets, elaborately decorated chapels, churches and convents are revealed. Most date from the 14th century, when Avignon became the centre of Christendom and the Palais des Papes was home to a series of seven popes, often more interested in plotting and partying than religion. Situated on the River Rhône, the setting of Avignon is as colourful as its history, with images straight out of a Van Gogh painting. Quiet streets, secluded courtyards and secret gardens, cosy pavement cafés and fantastic restaurants frequented almost entirely by locals make Avignon the perfect place for a romantic weekend away. Nevertheless, the city is rarely completely at peace. In the 13th century, it became known as the ‘ringing town’ because of its proliferation of bells. Today, during the summer months, the population of less than 100,000 is almost doubled by tourists. Although subject to violent winds – the most famous being Le Mistral, a cold, dry and northwesterly wind – Avignon’s climate is otherwise pleasant, with warm summers, perfect for alfresco activities. The annual Avignon Festival runs throughout July and attracts aspiring performers and aficionados of the arts. The official festival usually numbers over 40 different acts, most of them performing in the evocative courtyard of the Palais des Papes or in old churches and cloisters around Avignon. There is also a local ‘fringe’, known as the ‘Off’ Festival, which comprises 400 acts running non-stop from dawn through to the early hours. Every lamppost and railing is covered with signs advertising some performance, every café has a resident musician and every square is crammed with minstrels, clowns and artists. The scene would be straight out of medieval times, if it weren’t for the tourists. Language Avignonnais speak French in the sing-song tones of the Midi. Many of the older generation speak Provençal, the Romance language of southern France, closely related to Latin. Even those who do not, pepper their speech with Provençalisms. In spite of the French government’s refusal to support regional languages, associations are springing up in Avignon and around to educate Avignonnais in their linguistic heritage. Avignon-born singer Guy Bonnet sings in Provençal, and popular media personality Jean-Pierre Belmon ensures that the local radio station France Vaucluse Avignon and regional television station Provençale France 3 Méditerrané produce regular programmes in Provençal. The publication Lou Flouregian has a small readership but a greater history – born of the Felibrige movement founded by Frédéric Mistral and Avignon-born Théodore Aubanel, who fought to save the Provençal heritage (see Literary Notes section). Events featuring the Provençal language and culture will take pride of place in the year 2000 celebrations. Phrases Yes - Oui No - Non Hello - Bonjour Goodbye - Au revoir Please - S’il vous plaît Thank you - Merci My name is … - Je m’appelle … How are you? - Comment ça va? I’m very well - Ça va bien I feel ill - Je ne me sens pas bien How much does it cost? - Combien est-ce que ça coûte? Do you speak - Est-ce que vous English? - parlez anglais? I don’t understand - Je ne comprends pas Where is …? - Où est …? Entrance - Entrée Exit - Sortie Danger - Danger Open - Ouvert Closed - Fermé Toilets - Toilettes Doctor - Médecin Hotel - Hôtel Restaurant - Restaurant Beer - Bière Wine - Vin Menu - Menu Today - Aujourd’hui Tomorrow - Demain Monday - Lundi Tuesday - Mardi Wednesday - Mercredi Thursday - Jeudi Friday - Vendredi Saturday - Samedi Sunday - Dimanche One - Un / Une Two - Deux Three - Trois Four - Quatre Five - Cinq Six - Six Seven - Sept Eight - Huit Nine - Neuf Ten - Dix Twenty - Vingt Thirty - Trente Forty - Quarante Fifty - Cinquante Sixty - Soixante Seventy - Soixante-dix Eighty - Quatre-vingt Ninety - Quatre-vingt dix One Hundred - Cent One Thousand - Mille Getting There By Air Marseille-Provence Airport (MRS) Tel: (04) 4214 1414 or 4289 0974, for flight information. Fax: (04) 4214 2724. Website: www.marseille-provence.aeroport.fr Marseille-Provence Airport, located 80km (50 miles) southeast of Avignon, has two terminals – terminal one is international, while terminal two provides domestic flights. The airport serves 80 destinations, including Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Brussels, London, Paris and Rome. Major airlines: The national airline is Air France (tel: (0802) 802 802; website: www.airfrance.co.uk). Other airlines serving the airport include Alitalia, British Airways and Lufthansa. Airport facilities: Facilities include left-luggage, a pharmacy and 24-hour medical facilities, banks, bureaux de change, ATMs, shops, bars and restaurants, a post office, tourist information, lost property, VIP salon and car hire from Ada, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt and National Citer. Business facilities: The Marseilles Provence Business Centre (tel: (04) 4214 2774) in hall four, terminal two, provides Internet, fax and telephone facilities, as well as several small meeting rooms. The salon panoramique in terminal one holds 150 people for meetings. Transport to the city: There are regular shuttle buses (navettes) to St-Charles SNCF railway station (tel: (04) 9504 1000), operated by Transport Routier Passagers Aeriens – TRPA (tel: (04) 9150 5934), taking 25-30 minutes. From the station, there are direct links to Avignon (journey time – 50 minutes). Airport taxis (tel: (04) 4214 2444) from the airport to Avignon cost approximately €120 (journey time – 45 minutes). Avignon-Caumont Airport (AVN) Tel: (04) 9081 5151. Fax: (04) 9081 5166. Website: www.avignon.aeroport.fr Avignon-Caumont Airport, operated by the Avignon-Vaucluse Chamber of Commerce, is located just eight kilometres (five miles) from Avignon. Recent developments have enlarged the airport and improved the runway. Since October 2001, links to airport hub Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne, have expanded destinations to include 21 French (including four daily flights to Paris) and European destinations (including London City Airport, Brussels, Amsterdam, Geneva, Turin and Milan). Passenger traffic shows a steady increase, with 2001 figures at 127,636, compared to 2000 figures at 127,426. Another route to Paris (journey time – 1 hour 10 minutes) or London Stansted (journey time – 2 hours) is via Ryanair from Nîmes Arles Camargue airport, only 20 minutes from Avignon by taxi. Major airlines: Air France (tel: (0802) 802 802; website: www.airfrance.co.uk). No other airlines serve this airport. Airport facilities: These include a shop, bar-restaurant, hotel, car parks and car hire from Avis, Budget, Hertz, Citer and Europcar. Business facilities: None. Transport to the city: Taxis to Avignon city centre are provided by Taxis Avignonnais (tel: (04) 9082 2020) and cost about €23 (journey time – 10 minutes). There are no other transport options from Avignon-Caumont Airport currently available. Approximate flight times to Avignon: From London is 2 hours; from New York is 8 hours 45 minutes; from Los Angeles is 11 hours 45 minutes; from Toronto is 9 hours 30 minutes; from Sydney is 24 hours 50 minutes and from Paris Orly is 50 minutes. Arrival/departure tax: None. Getting There By Road Motorways bear the prefix ‘A’, national roads ‘N’ and minor roads are classed as ‘D’ roads. Traffic drives on the right and drivers must give way to the right, unless the route is marked with Passage Protégé signs (a broad arrow, a yellow diamond or an ‘X’ on a triangular background) or if the driver is at a roundabout indicating vous n’avez pas la priorité. Tolls (péages) are enforced. Speed limits are 130kph (81mph) on motorways, 110kph (68mph) on dual carriageways separated by a central reservation, 90kph (56mph) outside built-up areas and 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas. The minimum age for driving is 18 years. Seatbelts must be worn by all passengers (front and rear). Children under ten may not travel in the front seat. A national driving licence, the car’s registration document and a red warning triangle must be carried at all times. All headlamp beams must be adjusted for right-side driving, by use of beam deflectors or by tilting the headlamp bulb-holder. The French police fine motorists on the spot for driving offences. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.05%. EU nationals taking their own cars to France are strongly advised to obtain a Green Card, without which insurance cover is limited to the minimum legal cover in France. The Green Card tops this up to the level of cover provided by the car owner’s domestic policy. Autoroutes du Sud de la France – ASF (tel: (04) 9032 9005; website: www.asf.fr) is responsible for the southern France motorway network and produces free maps with information in English – available at Avignon Tourist Office (see Sightseeing). The motorway network number (tel: (04) 9178 7878) provides information on traffic conditions and driving regulations in southeastern France. Traffic conditions are broadcast on RadioTrafic 107.7FM. Emergency telephones linked up to the police are located every two kilometres (0.6 miles) on each side of the motorway. Emergency breakdown service: Garage CATTO (04) 9082 1611 Routes to the city: The motorways A7 (direction Paris, Lyon, Marseilles, Nice and Italy) and A9 (direction Nîmes, Perpignan and Barcelona) are located seven and ten kilometres (four and six miles) from central Avignon (north and southwest respectively). Approximate driving times to Avignon: From Marseilles – 1 hour 10 minutes; Barcelona – 4 hours 30 minutes; Paris – 7 hours 10 minutes. Coach services: The coach station, Gare Routière, boulevard St-Roch (tel: (04) 9082 0735) serves the Vaucluse department, including Aix, l’Isle/Sorgue, Nîmes, Carpentras and Cavaillon. International services operated by Linebus (tel: (04) 9085 3048) and Eurolines (tel: (04) 9085 2760; website: www.eurolines.com), with connections to Brussels, Morocco, London, Prague, Italy and Spain, also depart from here. The Tourist Office (see Sightseeing) provides information on the independent companies operating from the coach station. Tickets are purchased from the driver. Getting There By Rail Societé Nationale de Chemins de Fer – SNCF (tel: (08) 9235 3535; website: www.sncf.fr) is the national rail carrier. Avignon belongs to the regional network, Transports Express Régionaux – TER (website: www.ter-sncf.com), of Provence-Alpes–Côtes d’Azur. Since 2001, Avignon has enjoyed a brand new high-speed train station, Gare Avignon TGV, located on the southern edge of the city and linked to central Avignon via shuttle buses, which stop in front of the post office. The new service brings Paris within two hours and 40 minutes of Avignon – previously three hours and 20 minutes. Some of the high-speed trains also travel on to Avignon’s Central Station, boulevard St Roch (tel: (04) 9027 8163 or (08) 9235 3535). Facilities at both stations include left-luggage, a café, newsagent and ticket reservations service (tel: (08) 3635 3535). Bilingual signs and multi-lingual announcements ease the way for foreign visitors. As throughout France, train tickets must be validated prior to boarding. Rail services: There are direct links to Paris (journey time – 2 hours 40 minutes), Lille, Nantes, Rouen, Brussels and Geneva. Eurostar (tel: +44 (0) 20 7928 5163, UK number; website: www.eurostar.com) will offer a direct London-Waterloo-Avignon summer service in July 2002, set to run every Saturday from 20 July to 7 September (journey time – 6 hours 20 minutes). Transport to the city: A shuttle runs from Gare Avignon TGV to the city centre (journey time – 10 minutes), costing just €1. Avignon’s Central Station is linked to all major bus routes. Both stations have taxi ranks. Getting Around Public Transport Transports en Commun de la Région d’Avignon – TCRA (tel: (04) 3274 1832) supplies public transport throughout ‘Grand Avignon’ (the Avignon Region), including services to Les Angles, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and Le Pontet. The major bus stops in central Avignon are in front of the main post office (poste), place Pie and rue de la République. The system runs 0700-1940 Monday to Saturday (less frequently on Saturday). The restricted Sunday service (labelled with a number followed by a ‘D’ for dimanche) runs 0800-1800. Line 30 runs on weekdays, weekends and bank holidays. During the Avignon Festival, there is a special late-running service and reduced price tickets for public transport throughout the festival – the Bustivale pass, offering 30% reduction on standard prices. Tickets may be pre-purchased or bought on the bus and must be stamped upon boarding. Information and bus tickets are available at the Point d’Accueil, avenue de Lattre de Tassigny (tel: (04) 3274 1832), located between the central rail station and the Avignon Tourist Office. Tickets are also for sale at tabacs, newsagents and shops displaying the TCRA logo. One ticket costs €1, two tickets €1.75 and a carnet of ten tickets costs €7.80. Weekly and monthly passes are also available at €7.80 and €27.30 respectively (concessions are available). Taxis The taxi service is centrally run by Taxi Radio Avignonnais (tel: (04) 9082 2020; fax: (04) 9086 6169). The major taxi ranks are located in front of the central and new TGV rail stations, while others are at Raspail (rue de la République), St-Lazare (near the university) and place Pie. Taxi journeys around central Avignon are tallied by the kilometre at €1.20 (0700-1900) and €1.80 (1900-0700 and bank holidays), with a pick-up fee of €1.90. Luggage (per item) costs €0.61, an animal €0.71 and a fourth passenger €1.19. Tips are welcome but not expected. Limousines Lieutaud Voyages (tel: (04) 9086 3675; website: www.cars-lieutaud.fr) are situated in front of the SNCF Avignon Central Station and charge between €392 and €450 for a day’s hire, including an English-speaking chauffeur. Gaillard (tel: (04) 3240 9866) offers a similar service. Driving in the City The Old Town is small enough to be covered on foot and parts of it are pedestrianised. However, for those who choose to drive, conditions are good, roads rarely traffic-clogged and there is a special pleasure to be gained in driving through the portes (gates) of the ancient city walls. The main supervised and 24-hour car parks are located by the station, at 7 avenue Monclar, and underneath the Palais des Papes square. Free, supervised car parks (tel: (04) 9080 8102) are located at the Ile Piot (1500 spaces), with free shuttle buses running to the city centre, and Parking des Italiens, avenue des Italiens (550 spaces). In peak season, an additional car park opens at the foot of the Pont St-Bénézet. It is best to choose these supervised spaces, as car break-ins are all too frequent. Alternatively, there are good car parks west of the city centre. Car Hire The minimum age for car hire varies from 21 to 25 years. Drivers must possess a national driving licence, which they have held for at least one year. Third party insurance is mandatory for driving in France and this should be covered in the hire price. Additional insurance is optional. Providers include RentaCar, 130 avenue Pierre Sémard (tel: (04) 9088 0802), Sixt, 3 avenue St-Ruf (tel: (04) 9086 0661), and Véo, 51 avenue Pierre Sémard (tel: (04) 9087 5343), all are centrally located. Daily rates for a small car start at about €46 for a day’s hire. Bicycle & Scooter Hire Holiday Bikes – Provence Bikes (tel: (04) 9027 9261) hires out motorbikes (€75-185), scooters (€40-55) and bicycles (€8-21) per day, from the bus station on boulevard St-Roch, during high season (April to October). Business Business Profile The Avigon area, comprising two regional administrative districts (Provence-Alpes-Côtes d’Azur and Languedoc-Roussillon) and three departments (Vaucluse, Gard and Bouches-du-Rhône), has a population of some 458,500 and is administered from Avignon Town Hall. In addition, 32 communes in the surrounding area, comprising some 250,000 inhabitants, rely on Avignon for their employment. Avignon is centrally located and has easy access to Marseilles, Lyon and Paris. Just a 50-minute drive from Marseilles, two hours from Lyon and, with the new TGV Méditerranée, two hours and 40 minutes from Paris, Avignon also boasts an immense cultural wealth, in terms of monuments – such as the UNESCO-listed Palais des Papes – and the international Theatre Festival. These factors play an important role in the development of tourism (including business tourism), which is extremely important to Avignon’s economy. Chemicals, packaging, construction, agriculture, metals and precision instruments are the other industries in the region, while food and the production of appellation contrôlées wine also have a strong tradition in the area. Local government, SNCF railways and EDF electricity are the main employers in Avignon, while there are numerous small businesses – bakeries, patisseries and retail outlets. The university (with 8000 students) has kept Avignon’s population young. The inauguration of Avignon’s TGV station has helped to develop the Courtine district, south of Avignon Centre. Projects are underway to bring businesses – including the headquarters of food manufacturer La Durence – and hotels to the area. Unemployment in Avignon, as throughout France, is on the way down. The most recent statistics show Avignon's unemployment rate standing at 10.2%, slightly higher than France's average at 9% (February 2002). Business Etiquette Avignon feels far away from Paris and its business practices are markedly different. Breakfast meetings are rare, only materialising at large conferences during the Theatre Festival. Standard business hours in Avignon are Monday-Friday 0900-1800. Normally, meetings are fixed for mid-morning or mid-afternoon, while lunch meetings usually only involve colleagues already involved on a joint project. Punctuality is not expected and being 15 minutes late is standard practice. No excuse is necessary other than ‘J’ai eu un retard’ (‘I was delayed’). In other respects, however, conducting business in Avignon is quite a formal affair. Meetings should be confirmed in writing and colleagues addressed by their surname. Smart dress is appropriate. Businesswomen should take heart from the fact that the city’s dynamic mayor is a woman – Marie-Josée Roig. It is unlikely that business visitors will be invited for drinks or to homes at first, however, after several meetings, socialising after work becomes more common. Sightseeing Sightseeing Overview In Avignon, everything worth seeing is within easy walking distance and orientation is not difficult. The city is enclosed in fortified medieval walls, with the River Rhône to the north and west of the town. The Palais des Papes and Pont St-Bénezet are in the north, connected by place du Palais, which itself runs into Avignon’s central square –place de l’Horloge – just a little south. This square is home to the impressive Hôtel de Ville and the Opera House, decorated with statues of former visitors Corneille and Molière. From here, the main thoroughfare, the rue de la Republique, turns into the cours Jean Jaurès as it approaches the southern city walls and the railway station. To the east are several shopping streets and a mass of interesting restaurants and cafés. The best way to explore Avignon is for visitors to wander through its maze of medieval streets. Many take their names from inns – such as rue du Chapeau Rouge – or from trades – rue des Fourbisseurs (‘weapon sharpeners’), rue du Vieux Sextier (‘Old Sexton’) and rue des Teinturiers, named after the dying process inherent in calico printing. For travelling off the beaten path, the rue Joseph-Vernet is a good bet, lined with Avignon’s most stylish shops, old hotels and quaint courtyards and gardens. More imposing but still frequented, mainly by the locals, is the cathedral, Notre-Dame des Doms, a brief walk past the Palais des Papes. The cathedral is surrounded by Rocher des Doms, a charming public park. Steep steps lead up to it, so there are not usually many other people about to share the magnificent views of the city and the Rhône. Avignon also has a cluster of interesting little museums that are clearly detailed on a free map available at the Tourist Office. Most notable is the Musée Angladon, 5 rue Laboureur (tel: (04) 9082 2903), which displays the private collection of aesthete Jacques Doucet, including Modigliani’s The Pink Blouse and Van Gogh’s The Railroad Cars. Tourist Information Office de Tourisme d’Avignon 41 cours Jean Jaurès Tel: (04) 3274 3274. Fax: (04) 9082 9503. E-mail: information@ot-avignon.fr Website: www.avignon-tourisme.com and www.ot-avignon.fr Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1800, Sun and bank holidays 1000-1700 (Apr-Oct); Mon-Sat 0900-1900, Sun and bank holidays 1000-1700 (July – during Avignon Festival); Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1000-1200 (Nov-Mar). There is also an information office at Espace St-Bénezet, open daily 1000-1900 (Apr-Oct). Passes The Avignon Passion card is available free at participating museums, on tourist transport and at Avignon and Villeneuve-lès-Avignon tourist offices. The pass offers cut-price admission (reductions of 20-50%) after the first full-price attraction has been visited and includes all the various sightseeing tours listed in the Tours of the City section. The pass is valid for two weeks of unlimited visits for the holder and their family. Key Attractions Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) This palace-fortress looms above Avignon. The immense courtyard in front, lined with cafés and restaurants, is also the impressive setting for the Avignon Festival, while the battlements offer wonderful views. The palace was built over 30 years, during the reign of three popes – Bénédict XII, Clément VI and Innocent VI. The palace is based on the fusion of two buildings – the austere ‘Old Palace’ (1334-42), constructed on the orders of Bénédict XII, and the extravagant Gothic ‘New Palace’ (1342-52), of Clément VI. It is a frowning mass of elaborate architecture, covering some 15,000 sq metres (166,660 sq ft) and reducing Avignon’s other buildings to toy-town proportions. The exterior is chilling and unfriendly, with a crenellated façade and slit windows. In contrast, the interiors are rich with the frescoes of Italian artist Matteo Giovannetti and Sienese Giovanni Luca, survivors of the fire that burned away many paintings and much finery in 1413. It is worth taking the audiocassette (included in the admission price) to make sense of the maze of rooms within the palace. Among the most beautiful is the Pope’s Bedchamber. The walls are awhirl with frescoes of birds and grapevines, while the floor is covered with reproductions of the 14th-century tiles discovered beneath the nearby study of Bénédict XII, in 1963. Religious themes dominate the frescoes in the Chapelle St-Martial and Pope’s Antechamber, while hunting scenes decorate the Stag Room. The Grand Tinel is where the pope’s banquets were held, with the pope seated on a raised platform. Gold plates and ivory cutlery were used to devour mountains of food – detailed inventories record the consumption of 118 cows, 1023 sheep, 60 pigs, 1195 geese, 7428 chickens… a total of 95,000 dishes – and all at one sitting. New for 2002, is a guided tour (in French only) through the ‘Secret Palace’, with a chance to see Saint-Michele Chapel and rooms that are normally closed to the public, with a convivial supper. It is best for visitors to make a trip to the Palais des Papes in the afternoon, when it is cooler and there are fewer tourists. Place du Palais Tel: (04) 9027 5073, for reservations or (04) 9027 5074, for information. Fax: (04) 9027 5088. E-mail: rmg@palais-des-papes.com Website: www.palais-des-papes.com Transport: Bus to place de l’Horloge. Opening hours: Daily 0900-1900 (Apr-Oct); daily 0930-1745 (Nov-Mar); Secret Palace Tours daily from 1700. Admission: €9.50; concessions available; €9 (combined Palais des Papes and Pont St-Bénezet ticket, 1 Jan-14 Mar); €11 (combined Palais des Papes and Pont St-Bénezet ticket, 15 Mar-1 Nov); €24.50 (Secret Palace tour and tea). Musée du Petit Palais (Little Palace Museum) Located on the northern end of place du Palais, the Little Palace Museum was a bishop’s and an archbishop’s palace, during the 14th and 15th centuries. Today, its 19 rooms house an impressive collection of frescoes, sculptures and Italian religious paintings from the 13th to 16th centuries, including works by Botticelli, Carpaccio and Giovanni di Paolo. The Angel of the Annunciation, by Sano Di Pietro (1406-1481), is one of the most beautiful paintings – the golden-haired angel has all the beauty of a pre-Raphaelite woman. Palais des Archevêques, place du Palais Tel: (04) 9086 4458. Fax: (04) 9082 1872. Transport: Bus to place de l’Horloge, place du Pie or post office. Opening hours: Wed-Mon 0930-1300 and 1400-1730 (Oct-May); Wed-Mon 1000-1300 and 1400-1800 (Jun-Sep). Admission: €6; concessions available. Pont St-Bénezet (St Bénezet Bridge) ‘Sur le pont d’Avignon on y danse, on y danse …’ – the melody of the 19th-century song still draws visitors to the famed bridge that is formally known as the Pont St-Bénezet, after the shepherd whose heavenly vision and determination led to the bridge being built. Spanning the two channels of the River Rhône and the island in between (Ile de la Barthelasse), the bridge was built between 1177 and January 1185. Originally of wood, it had to be continuously rebuilt, as it was the only crossing, providing a link between the Mediterranean and Lyon, an important trade hub in the Middle Ages. The river finally won the day, washing away the bridge in the mid-1600s. Today, only four of its original 22 arches and the tiny Chapelle St-Nicholas remain. This delicate Romanesque chapel, dedicated to St Nicholas, patron saint of bargemen, should not be missed. A small museum, beneath the ticket office, offers images of the bridge in former centuries. Rue Ferruce Tel: (04) 9027 5116 or 9085 6016. Fax: (04) 9082 7402 or 9082 7402 E-mail: monument@palais-des-papes.com Website: www.palais-des-papes.com/pont Transport: Bus to place de l’Horloge or porte de l’Oulle. Opening hours: Daily 0900-1900 (Apr-Oct); daily 0930-1730 (Nov-Mar). Admission: €3 (Pont Bénezet only, 1 Jan-14 Mar), €9 (combined Pont Bénezet and Palais des Papes ticket, 1 Jan-14 Mar); €3.50 (Pont Bénezet only, 15 Mar-1 Nov), €11 (combined Pont Bénezet and Palais des Papes ticket, 15 Mar-1 Nov); concessions available. Further Distractions Rocher des Doms Ramps from the Palais des Papes lead up past the Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms to the Rocher des Doms. The site of Avignon’s earliest settlement, the rocky area was landscaped in the 18th century, into a pleasant plateau with an artificial rock garden. Nineteenth-century additions include a lake and the statues of prominent Provençal figures, such as writer Félix Gras and artists Paul Saïn and Paul Vaysan. Terraces were laid out in the 20th century, offering views onto the River Rhône, Pont St-Bénézet, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and the Alpilles. Rocher des Doms, off place du Palais Transport: Bus to place de l’Horloge. Opening hours: Daily sunrise to sunset. Admission: Free. Musée Louis Vouland (Louis Vouland Museum) Successful businessman and art collector Louis Vouland (1883-1973) bequeathed his 19th-century mansion to the state. His home was opened as a museum in 1982, offering a quirky collection of 17th- and 18th-century decorative arts. Highlights include faïence (earthenware) from Vincennes and Sèvres and tapestries woven in Flanders, Aubusson and Gobelins. However, a dainty travel tea set in Sèvres faïence, which belonged to the Comtesse du Barry, mistress of Louis XV, steals the show. 17 rue Victor Hugo Tel: (04) 9086 0379. Fax: (04) 9085 1204. E-mail: musee-vouland@avignon-et-provence.com Website: www.vouland.com Transport: Bus to rue de la République, post office or porte de l’Oulle. Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1000-1200 and 1400-1800, Sun 1400-1800 (2 May- 31 Oct); Tues-Sun 1400-1800 (1 Nov-30 Apr). Admission: €4; concessions available. Tours of the City Walking Tours The Tourist Office (tel: (04) 3274 3272) organises two-hour guided tours in English around the city at 1000 Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (April to October) and every Saturday at 1000 (November to March). Tours are based on a specific theme and depart from the main tourist office, cost €8 per person. If alone, however, a wander along the picturesque pedestrianised streets and up to the Rocher des Doms or along the city’s ramparts is recommended. Bus Tours Cars Lieutaud, cour de la Gare SNCF (tel: (04) 9086 3675), operates tours in Provence, which depart daily from Avignon (April to October). Half-day tours depart from the railway station, 1000-1230 and 1400-1830, for Vaison-la-Romaine and Orange (Monday afternoon), Pont du Gard (Tuesday and Thursday morning), Alpilles (Tuesday and Thursday afternoon), Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards (Wednesday morning) and the Luberon (Wednesday afternoon). Friday’s day trip (1000-1830) goes to Nîmes, Arles and Camarges. On Saturday morning there is a trip to a provençale market, at Saint Remy de Provence. In the afternoon, bus tours go to the Luberon. Morning trips are €15, afternoon trips €19 and day trips €28. Boat Tours Les Grands Bateaux de Provence (tel: (04) 9085 6225) runs six times per day, July-August (reduced service, May-June and September), between Avignon and Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (journey time – 35 minutes). The first boat departs from Avignon at 1030 and the last day boat returns from Villeneuve-lès-Avignon at 1830. The return journey costs €7 (concessions are available). Tickets are for sale at the Allées de l’Oulle landing stage, tourist offices, Pont St-Bénezet or on-board. In addition, frequent boats run from the Pont Saint Bénezet to the Ile de la Barthelasse. Inaugurated in summer 2001, this service is free. Visitors can take a bicycle and ride around the paths or just stroll, for magnificent views over the Palais des Papes and city ramparts. Train Tours Les Trains Touristiques d’Avignon (tel: (06) 1135 0666; fax: (04) 9082 7940) operate tourist trains that chug around the Old Town (journey time – 35 minutes), from 15 March to 15 October, daily 1000-1900, every 35 minutes (from 1330 to the Rocher des Doms). Departing from the place du Palais, a trip costs €6 to the Old Town and €2 to Rocher des Doms. Excursions For a Half Day Villeneuve-lès-Avignon: The Pont St-Bénezet stops enticingly short of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon on the west bank of the River Rhône, allowing only a view onto the impressive fortifications of the Fort St-André, built on the rocky outcrop of the Mont Andaon, in the 14th century. This Ville Neuve (New Town) allowed the King of France to keep an eye on the city of the popes across the river – although many popes and cardinals could not resist its charm, building their luxurious residences (known as livrées) on the site. The Musée Pierre de Luxembourg still displays the wealth of the cardinal, its previous owner. A 15-minute bus ride (line 11) links Avignon (the Old Town) with its New Town, stopping near the Tourist Office, 1 place Charles David (tel: (04) 9025 6133). The key attraction is close by – the Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction. Founded by Pope Innocent VI, in 1356, this formerly was the largest and most important Carthusian monastery in France. For a Whole Day Gordes: The Provençal village of Gordes lies atop the Vaucluse Plateau, overlooking the Sorgue and Calavon rivers. Artists’ galleries, restaurants and hotels line the sloping streets, leading up to a château built between the 11th and 16th centuries. The Tourist Office (tel: (04) 9072 0275) is located just below, in the Salle des Gardes (Guard’s Hall). The easiest way to reach Gordes is by road, although the village is accessible by bus from the tranquil town of Cavaillon. It is worth exploring the whole area – just four kilometres (two and a half miles) southwest (off the D2) are the curious beehive-like Bories, first built in the Bronze Age but occupied continuously, until the 18th century. To the north lies the 12th-century Cistercian Abbaye de Sénanque, a functioning monastery surrounded by fields of lavender. Sport For football fans, Avignon’s glory days are gone. Twenty years ago, Olympique Avignonnais used to hit first and second league status but no longer. However, this does not stop enthusiastic fans attending local matches at the city’s largest stadium, Le Parc des Sports, avenue Pierre de Courbertin (tel: (04) 9087 3202). Rugby is also popular and is played at the Baizet Stadium, route de Tarascon (tel: (04) 9087 5649). Tickets are available at the grounds. The Service des Sports, 74 boulevard Jules Ferry (tel: (04) 9016 3100) provides information on swimming pools and sports opportunities available in the city. One of the most popular sporting activities in Avignon is roller skating, with skating within the city ramparts taking place every last Friday of the month –departing 0830 from the main post office, cours Kennedy. Participation is free and the skate lasts around two hours. Key sporting events include the Avignon Roll’air roller skating festival in May/June and theTriathlon in June. Fitness centres: Saint Didier Fitness Club, place Saint Didier (tel: (04) 9066 1708) is located in the heart of Avignon. Golf: Golf Grand Avignon is located at Les Chênes Verts, 84270 Vedène (tel: (04) 9031 4994; fax: (04) 9031 0121). Membership is not required and daily rates are charged at €38 weekdays and €46 weekends. Squash: Avignon Squash Racket, 32 boulevard Limbert (tel: (04) 9085 2778) charges €2.5 for racket and ball hire, €6.5 for 40 minutes’ play and €54 for 11 40-minute games of squash. Swimming: The municipal pool is on route de Marseille (tel: (04) 9087 0090), and there is an Olympic pool at Ile de la Barthelasse (tel: (04) 9082 5425). These pools are only open in the summer. The Tourist Office provides a complete list of the city’s swimming pools. Tennis: Tennis Club d’Avignon, rue Montolivet, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (tel: (04) 9025 4359), hires out its six outdoor and three indoor courts to non-members, for €8 per person per hour. Shopping The main shopping street is rue de la République, which is home to Monoprix department store, among others. Chic boutiques line rue Joseph-Vernet, which runs east off rue de la République, opposite the main Tourist Office. Rue St-Agricol is lined with various little boutiques, including designer outlets Christian Lacroix Boutique, 10 rue St-Agricol and Donna, 35 rue St-Agricol. The pedestrianised area – rue des Fourbisseurs, rue des Marchands, rue du Vieux Sextier and rue de la Bonneterie – allows for a leisurely, traffic-free shop. Avignon is an ideal town for presents. Provençal specialities include olive oil, lavender, brightly printed fabrics, sugared fruits, chocolate and fig or melon jam. Lovers of the mustard yellow and olive green of Provençal pottery will be spoilt for choice at Terre et Art, 29 rue des Fourbisseurs, or Terre et Provence, 26 rue de la République. A good selection of regional wines can be found at La Cave du Bouffart, 14 rue des Fourbisseurs, and Le Coin Gourmand, Les Halles d’Avignon, place Pie. The latter also boats a range of gastronomic specialities. For a souvenir in silver or gold, shoppers should head for Vincent Joaillier, 12 place du Change, a jewellery design shop, founded in 1897. In addition to the Tuesday-Sunday morning covered market at Les Halles, south of place Pie, there are colourful outdoor markets at the Rempart St-Michel (a food market on Saturday and Sunday) and place des Carmes (a flower market on Saturday and flea market on Sunday). Department stores are open 0900-1900 Monday to Saturday, while smaller shops close 1200-1400 and Monday morning. Sales tax varies between 5.5% (food) to 20% (luxury goods). Visitors from outside the European Union can claim a refund upon departure for each purchase over €175. Culture Avignon’s cultural scene hits the headlines each July, with the Avignon Festival, created by Jean Vilar in 1947. Originally pure theatre, the event now includes contemporary and religious music, dance, poetry, circus, films, exhibitions and debates. The most prestigious productions are performed in the vast Palais des Papes courtyard, others within theatres, churches and sports halls. The Chartreuse, at Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, showcases the contemporary theatre of the Avignon Festival, as well as a separate musical theatre festival, Villeneuve en Scène. The programme for 2002 includes a production of Macbeth on horseback, at Clos de l’Abbaye, Villeneuve-lez-Avignon, and noBody, choreographed by Sasha Waltz and held in the newly renovated Palais des Papes’ interior courtyard. The Bureau du Festival d’Avignon (and box office) is located at the Espace Saint-Louis, 20 rue du Portail Boquier. Alongside the official festival (locally known as the ‘In’), the ‘Off’ fringe festival enlivens streets and courtyards with a carnival atmosphere. The ‘In’ programme is available as of the second week in May, from the Bureau du Festival d’Avignon (tel: (04) 9014 1460; website: www.festival-avignon.com) or from the Tourist Office. Tickets – priced at €10-33 – are available by telephone (tel: (04) 9014 1414) or on the website, from June onwards. The ‘Off’ programme is published in June by Paris-based Avignon Public Off (tel: (01) 4805 0119; website: www.avignon-off.org). During the festival, the headquarters are within the Conservatoire de Musique, opposite the Palais des Papes. Tickets to all other performances and events are available for purchase from the individual venue box offices, in advance or at the venue itself. The tourist office publishes a monthly calendar of events (French only) in Rendez-Vouz. Music: The gracious Opéra d’Avignon (tel: (04) 9082 8140), built in 1847, overlooks place de l’Horloge. The season runs from October to June and includes operas and operettas, plays and ballet, symphonic and chamber music concerts. The Musique Sacrée en Avignon, 49 rue Portail Magnanen (tel: (04) 9082 2175), organises free concerts in churches (October to May). Theatre: Avignon has about ten permanent theatres, as well as the opera house. The Théâtre du Chêne Noir, 8 rue Ste-Catherine (tel: (04) 9086 5811), draws well-known actors and directors, while the Théâtre du Chien qui Fume, 75 rue des Teinturiers (tel: (04) 9085 2587), puts on a varied programme of theatre, music and improvisation evenings. The Théâtre des Halles, 4 rue Noël Biret (tel: (04) 9085 5257), excels in contemporary theatre, while cutting-edge Théâtre des Carmes, 6 place des Carmes (tel: (04) 9082 2047), is run by the André Benedetto company – one of the founders of the Festival ‘Off’. Theatre tickets tend to be cheaper than the Festival ‘On’ and the season runs from October to May. Dance: Dance has its own moment of glory in February, when Les Hivernales contemporary dance festival takes place at La Manutention, 4 rue escalier Ste-Anne (tel: (04) 9082 3312; website: www.hivernales.asso.fr). The Théâtre de la Danse, 1 rue Ste-Catherine (tel: (04) 9086 0127) offers courses and performances year round. Film: Avignon has about 20 cinemas. Cinéma Utopia (tel: (04) 9082 6536), at La Manutention arts centre, 4 rue escalier Ste-Anne, shows undubbed art films. Utopia has another cinema located at 5 rue Figuière, north of place St-Didier, where dubbed films creep into the screenings. They also produce La Gazette Utopia, a free monthly listings magazine. Cinema Vox, 22 place de l’Horloge (tel: (04) 9082 0361), offers mainstream films, with the odd art film – some in the original language. One of Avignon’s largest cinemas is the ten-screened Pathé Cap Sud, 175 rue Pierre-Sémard, route de Marseille (tel: (08) 3668 2288). Cultural events: Without doubt, Avignon’s key cultural event is the Avignon Festival in July (see above). However, another cultural highlight is the Avignon Film Festival, which takes place every June and is a showcase for independent filmmakers from America, France and Europe. Literary Notes Petrarch (1304-1374) brought the theme of idealised love to Avignon, where he first set enchanted eyes on Laure, in 1327. This earthly incarnation of perfection inspired the Canzoniere – over 300 poems, mainly sonnets, on the subject of platonic love. Not withstanding the fated meeting, Petrarch detested Avignon, which he famously described as ‘a sewer where all the filth of the universe has gathered’. Frédéric Mistral (born in 1830, between Arles and Avignon) drew on the troubadour tradition with his love poetry, Mireille (1859), about star-crossed lovers. Written in both Provençal and French, the tragic tale won Mistral a Nobel Prize and revived the dying Provençal language. Together with Avignon-born Theodore Aubanel, he founded the Felibrige movement and helped revive Provençal tradition. Avignon-born writer Pierre Boulle (1912-1994) won international renown with Planet of the Apes (1963) and Bridge Across the River Kwai (1952), both later made into films. English-language writers have painted a mythical picture of Provence as a sun-drenched idyll populated by country bumpkins – most famously in Peter Mayle’s bestselling Year in Provence (1989). Nightlife The lively nightspots are around place de l’Horloge, place du Palais, trendy rue Carnot and place des Corps-Saints and they all become frenetic during the Avignon Festival. Licensing hours are not strict in France and bars stay open quite late, some past midnight, while some clubs are open well into the small hours. The legal drinking age in France is 16 years and the average price of drink while out and about in Avignon is €4. The Tourist Office hands out the free monthly arts, events and music listings magazine, Rendez-Vous (also available in arts centres). Bars: Bars with a buzz include Pub Z, 58 rue de la Bonneterie. Open until 0130, the bar is owned by a rocker, enamoured of zebras, which dominate the décor. A medley of arty types hang out amid the mirror-lined walls and modern sculptures of Le Grand Café at cultural hub La Manutention, 4 rue escalier Ste-Anne, where decent food is served. Esclave Bar, 12 rue du Limas, is a popular gay bar and disco. Casinos: There are no casinos in Avignon. Clubs: Avignon is not a clubbing centre, although there are some small venues, such as the eclectic Red Zone, 25 rue Carnot, which plays anything from salsa to house and is open 1900-0300. Bokao’s, 9 bis, boulevard Quai Saint Lazare, has a chill-out café as well as dancefloor and VIP area. The biggest clubs are located about a ten-minute drive from Avignon, including Le Privé Club (website: www.leprive.fr), route de Tavel in Les Angles, a techno and house venue in an old quarry. Live music: AJMI Jazz Club at La Manutention, 4 rue escalier Ste-Anne, is a popular jazz venue on Thursday night. Rock is played at Le Bistroquet bar, Quartier du Mouton, on Ile de la Barthelasse, while regular concerts are held at Les Passagers du Zinc, 23 route de Montfavet. City Statistics Location: Department of the Vaucluse, Provence region, southern France. Country dialling code: 33. Population: 85,935 (city); 187,577 (metropolitan area). Ethnic mix: Mainly French, with some Spanish, Portuguese, Algerian, Moroccan and Tunisian. Religion: Catholic majority, with prominent Protestant and Jewish communities. Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; two-pin plugs are standard. Average January temp: 6°C (43°F). Average July temp: 25°C (77°F). Annual rainfall: 700mm (27.6 inches). Special Events Tour des Remparts, race, Jan, ramparts Cheval Passion, horse show, late Jan, Avignon Exhibition Park Salon des Antiquaires, antiques fair, Feb, place Xavier Battini, L’Ile-sur-la-Sorgue Les Oléades, olive tree festival with exhibitions, cooking demonstration and debates, Feb, Palais des Papes Les Hivernales, festival of contemporary dance, mid-Feb-early March, city centre Foire de Printemps (Spring Fair), exhibitions and tastings of French gastronomy, home and garden show, Apr-May, Avignon Foire et Expos du Grand Delta Avignon Roll’air, roller skating festival, May-Jun, throughout the city Fête Nationale de la Musique, music festival, Jun, various venues Triathlon d’Avignon, Jun, various venues Avignon Film Festival, independent French-American cinema festival, late Jun, French American Center, 10 Montée de la Tour, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon Marché aux Livres, book fair, Jul, cours Jean Jaurès Festival d’Avignon, three-week dance, music and theatre festival, Jul, various venues Festival Off, three-week arts fringe festival, Jul, various venues Festival Provençal, Provençal music and theatre, Jul, various venues Marché du Festival, festival market, Jul, Allées de l’Oulle Fête Nationale, national festival celebrated with fireworks, 14 Jul, on the banks of the Rhone and in the city centre Tremplin Jazz, late Jul-early Aug, Cloître des Carmes and Palais des Papes courtyard Fête des Foins (Hay Festival), traditional festival to celebrate the end of summer with the gathering of the last bail of hay, followed by street parties, craft exhibitions and music, late Aug-early Sep, Montfavet, 5 km (3 miles) from Avignon city centre Ban des Vendanges (Harvest Banns), wine and gastronomy celebration, early Sep, on the banks of the Rhone Le 15km de la Cité des Papes, 15km (9 mile) race, early Sep, circular race from the Palais des Papes Journées du Patrimoine, free entry to monuments and museums, mid-Sep, museums and monuments throughout the city Festival de Musique Ancienne, medieval music festival, 1st half Oct, various locations Fête des Côtes du Rhône Primeurs and Les Médiévales d’Avignon, wine festival, costumed procession, medieval music and craft market, third Thurs in Nov, place du Palais du Papes, procession through the city centre Foire St-André, traditional fair, end Nov, historical centre Marché de Noël, Christmas market, 3 weeks in Dec, devant la Mairie Cost of Living On 1 January 2002, the French Franc was replaced by the Euro. One-litre bottle of mineral water: €0.46 33cl bottle of beer: €0.80 Financial Times newspaper: €2.13 36-exposure colour film: €6 City-centre bus ticket: €1.20 Adult football ticket: €12.50 Three-course meal with wine/beer: €9.20-30.50 1 Euro (€1) = £0.68; US$1.07; C$1.62; A$1.80; FFr6.56 1 French Franc (FFr1) = €0.15 Currency conversion rates as of February 2003 Business Services Business Contacts: Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie d’Avignon et de Vaucluse 46 cours Jeans Jaurès, BP 158 84008 Avignon, Cedex 1 Tel: (04) 9014 8700. Fax: (04) 9085 5678. E-mail: cci.vaucluse@wanadoo.fr Website: www.avignonvaucluse.cci.fr French Chamber of Commerce (UK) 21 Dartmouth Street, London SW1H 9BP Tel: (020) 7304 4040. Fax: (020) 7304 7034. E-mail: mail@ccfgb.co.uk Website: www.ccfgb.co.uk Franco-American Chamber of Commerce (USA) 6th Floor, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019 Tel: (212) 765 4460. Fax: (212) 765 4650. E-mail: info@faccnyc.org Website: www.faccnyc.org French Chamber of Commerce (Canada) Bureau 202, 1819 Boulevard René Lévesque Ouest, Montréal, Québec, H3H 2P5 Tel: (514) 281 1246. Fax: (514) 289 9594. E-mail: accueil@ccfcmtl.ca Website: www.ccife.org/canada French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Australia) 9th Floor, AAP Centre, 259 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Tel: (02) 9251 1033. Fax: (02) 9251 1031. E-mail: facci@acenet.com.au Website: www.facci.com.au Business library Médiathèque Ceccano (Bibliothèque Municipale) 2 rue Laboureur, 84000 Avignon Tel: (04) 9085 1559. Fax: (04) 9014 6561. The municipal library provides information on the local economy (French only). Convention and meeting planner RMG (Régis Municipal de Gestion) Palais des Papes In association with the Town Hall, this company is responsible for the planning of major conferences in the Palais des Papes – see following entry. Convention and meeting venues Avignon International Conference Center RMG, BP 149, Palais des Papes, 6 rue Pente Rapide, Charles Ansidei, 84008 Avignon, Cedex 1 Tel: (04) 9027 5056. Fax: (04) 9027 5058. E-mail: congress@palais-des-papes.com Website: www.palais-des-papes.com Located within the Palais des Papes, the centre offers 1700 sq metres (18,298 sq ft) of exhibition space and a number of fully equipped meeting rooms (with capacity for 20-560 people). Avignon Exhibition Park Chateaublanc, RN7, 84000 Avignon, Montfavet Tel: (04) 9084 0204. Fax: (04) 9084 0298. Located close to the airport, the exhibition space consists of eight halls, with a combined capacity for 800-4000 people. Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Vaucluse BP 158, 84008 Avignon Tel: (04) 9014 8700. Fax: (04) 9085 5678. E-mail: cci.vaucluse@wanadoo.fr Website: www.avignonvaucluse.cci.fr The Chamber of Commerce offers two amphitheatres: ISEMA (see following entry) and Le Campus de la CCI, which is located at Allées des Fenaisons, 84032 Avignon, three kilometres to the south of the centre, and has a capacity for 140 people. Institut Superieur d’enseignement du management agro-alimentaire (ISEMA) Agroparc, 40 rue Helvetius, BP 1201, 84911 Avignon, Cedex 9 Tel: (04) 9023 5050. Fax: (04) 9023 5031. Located six kilometres south of Avignon, ISEMA offers a more modern space for 100 people. Office equipment hire Avignon Affaires La Cristole, RN 7 Avignon Sud, 84145 Montfavet Tel: (04) 9013 1660. Fax: (04) 9088 5987. E-mail: avignonaffaires@wanadoo.fr Fully equipped offices located three minutes drive from the airport, for hire by the day or month; secretarial support is available on prior request. Secretarial service Manpower 5 avenue St-Ruf, 84000 Avignon Tel: (04) 9014 8900. Fax: (04) 9014 8901. Translation service Marie Podevin 16 place Crillon, 84000 Avignon Tel: (04) 9086 2786. Fax: (04) 9027 9754. E-mail: mpodevin@pacwan.fr Unusual conference venue Cloître des Arts 83 rue Joseph-Vernet, 84000 Avignon Tel: (04) 9085 9904. Fax: (04) 9085 7803. Five rooms (with a capacity for 10-150 people) located within a charming eighteenth-century building with restaurant and leafy courtyard. History 4000BC The Chaseens, the earliest inhabitants of Avignon, settle on the Rocher des Doms 2000BC The Chalcalithic and Campaniforme civilisations settle on the same site, leaving behind an anthropomorphic monolith (discovered in 1961 and now on display in the Calvet Museum) 500BC The city expands around the clifftop oppidum, under the occupation of a Celto-Ligurian people – the Cavares c. 2nd C BC Avignon gains its name – Avenio, ‘Lord of the River’ according to a translation from the Celtic, or ‘City of the Violent Wind’ from the Ligurian translation 49BC Roman influence extends from the Alps to the Pyrenees; Avignon becomes a Latin city Late 3rd & early 5th C AD Successive waves of Franks, Alemans, Goths and Burgundes (who make Avignon the southernmost fortification of their realm in AD474) reduce Avignon to a seventh of its former size AD537 King Vitiges cedes Avignon and Provence to the Frankish king Clovis; the city becomes a part of the kingdom of Burgundy in 561 until the second half of the eighth century 734-35 The Saracens enter Arles and Avignon 737 Charles Martel frees Avignon from Saracen control 932 Provence is united with Burgundy, forming the kingdom of Arles, annexed to the empire in 1033 1129 William II, Count of Fovalquier, grants the bishops, knights and ombudsmen of Avignon ‘power, jurisdiction and seigneurship’; Avignon acquires the status of a commune 1177-85 Construction of Pont St-Bénézet 1226 Louis VIII lays seige to Avignon (10 Jun-12 Sep); his victory is the beginning of the end of the power of Avignon 1309-76 Six successive popes reside in Avignon (Clement V, Jean XXXII, Benoit XII, Clement VI, Innocent VI and Urban V). The Palais des Papes is begun in 1335. The population swells to 40,000, making Avignon one of Europe’s largest cities but, due to the plague and the departure of the pope, the population falls to some 15,000 1379-1409 The great schism: the warring Catholic church is divided between the supporters of Clement VII and Urban VI 1403 Benoit XIII escapes from the Palais des Papes 1580 The plague decimates Avignon 1680 The River Rhône destroys four arches of Pont St-Bénézet 1694 The River Rhône freezes over and can be crossed on foot 1721 Plague devastates the city 1722 The notorious Parfumeurs set the convent of the Augustins alight 1777 Oil lamps provide the first street lighting 18 Aug 1791 Annexation of the county of Avignon to France 19 Feb 1797 The treaty of Tolentino confirms the unification of Avignon and the County of Venaissin 25 Apr 1814 Napoleon I stops at Porte St-Lazare on his way to the Isle of Elba; the population force him to flee 1832 The public fountains pump out drinking water 1838 Gas lighting is installed 1854 Felibrige movement is born 1868 Installation of the sewage system 1873 Bus network is opened 11 Nov 1942 Avignon is occupied by the German army 25 Aug 1944 Avignon is liberated by French and American troops 1946 Jean Vilar initiates Avignon’s role as a cultural centre, with the first Theatre Festival 2000 Avignon is elected a European City of Culture Copyright © 2003 Columbus Travel Publishing Ltd.