Saint-Bénezet Bridge (The Pont d’Avignon) : info and guided tour

Presentation of Pont Saint-Bénezet (The Pont d’Avignon)

Pont Saint-Bénezet, better known as the Pont d’Avignon, stands on the banks of the Rhône, in the immediate vicinity of Avignon’s historic center. This surviving fragment of a medieval bridge is one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, recognizable by its incomplete arches stretching out toward the river.

Built in the Middle Ages, it owes its name to Bénézet, the legendary figure associated with its foundation. The bridge long played an important role in crossing the Rhône before being partly carried away by successive floods. Today, it remains a valuable witness to medieval engineering and to Avignon’s urban history.

Its current appearance, with only a few arches preserved, gives it a distinctive silhouette. From the deck, the view opens onto the Rhône, the ramparts, and the Palace of the Popes, which adds to its heritage value. The site is also famous thanks to the traditional song “Sur le pont d’Avignon,” which made it famous far beyond Provence.

A visit allows you to observe up close the old masonry, the massive piers, and the bridge’s setting in the river landscape. Between medieval architecture, local memory, and cultural renown, Pont Saint-Bénezet holds a special place among Avignon’s monuments, both a historic ruin and an immediately recognizable symbol.

Discover Avignon with a private guide

A private guide can help place Pont Saint-Bénezet in the history of Avignon, explaining its role on the Rhône, the reasons for its partial destruction, and the distinctive features of its remains. The visit then becomes clearer, with a more precise look at the monument and its urban surroundings.