Visit Avignon Bridge: tickets, prices, schedules

How to visit Avignon Bridge? Discover here all the useful information to visit the famous monument, from its real name the Pont Saint-Bénézet!

Renowned beyond our borders for the famous child song, Pont d’Avignon also experienced a rich and enlivened history. A witness to the wars of the region and the caprices of the Rhone, he was rebuilt several times. The Pont Saint-Bénezet – its true name – was born in the 12th century. Technically, the bridge was once used to connect the two banks of the river. Today ranked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it attracts more than 400,000 visitors every year...

Are you passing through Provence? Discover the legend of the miracle of Saint Benedict! Whether you want to admire the monument from a distance or stroll around, we give you here all the useful information to know before visiting the Avignon Bridge!

History of Avignon Bridge

The construction of the bridge would go back to the end of the 12th century. Built on vestiges of a Roman bridge, it was intended to cross the Rhone. He is a young shepherd named Bénézet which would be at the origin of the work. The legend tells us that he descended from the mountains of the Ardèche, saying that he was sent from God to erect this bridge. The Avignonans make fun of him. The prelate adopts the same attitude by charging it to carry a very heavy stone block on the back to throw it into the river. Nevertheless, the miracle takes place and the stone falls into the water of the Rhone, to the general stupe. Therefore, Bénézet is raised to the rank of Saint!

Upon completion, the bridge stretches approximately 920 metres long for 4 metres wide. No less than twenty-two arches fill the Rhone by forming a curve. Too narrow for carts of goods that cannot cross, it is primarily used to control river traffic and to obtain toll rights. At the time, the Popes took the habit of praying at the chapel of Bénézet and leaving an alms of a florin. Damaged by the river floods and wars, the bridge undergoes several reconstructions. Finally, his interview became too expensive, he was left to abandon at the end of the seventeenth century. Louis XIV is one of the last to have crossed the Rhone. Today, there are only four arches and a cute chapel dedicated to Saint Nicolas, the patron of the mariners.

On the Pont d’Avignon, dance, dance

You are wondering why the child’s tablet “On the Pont d’Avignon, dance, dance...” is so known? In fact, historians have discovered that in the 15th century, many popular songs accompanying wedding wedding wedding wedding wedding wedding wedding weddings referred to the Avignon Bridge. They were called "the songs of the pillows". The operetta that inspired the comptine dates back to 1853 and would itself be influenced by these popular airs of ancient times. Cosy detail, it was actually impossible to dance on the bridge because of its narrowness! So we were under the bridge, on the banks of the Rhone.

What to see and do at the Avignon Bridge?

Visit the Avignon Bridge takes place from day to night, near or far. When you are in the center of Avignon intra-muros, the view is beautiful. You can also admire the building free of charge from the building Barthelasse Island . In both cases, wonderful photos are to be made, whether with the sunny light of the day, or when the bridge is lit in the evening and there is no one on it anymore.

To crowd the floor and dance on the bridge, take your ticket! You will thus benefit from detailed explanations and a beautiful view of the Rhone and the walls of Avignon. Four years of research led by historians, archaeologists, geomorphologists and architects allowed the building to be reconstituted in 3D in its medieval atmosphere. The visitor thus enjoys a film on the history of Pont d’Avignon . An exhibition on this research and another film on construction techniques is equally interesting. By taking your ticket to walk on the bridge, you will also receive one audio-guide and a touch tablet (optional): perfect to discover the legend and history of the bridge! In addition, the municipality had the right idea to propose a ticket combined with the visit of the Palais des Papes. Nothing like this to discover the exciting history of the region!

A tip - Go to sunset! You will enjoy a very nice light on the river and the city: ideal for photos. Don’t forget to immortalize this moment with a little dance!

How to go to Avignon Bridge?

The famous Pont Saint-Bénézet is located close to the city of Avignon. The address is: Boulevard de la Ligne, 84000 Avignon.

Go to Avignon

• By train

Avignon is accessible by two stations: Avignon Centre Station and Avignon-TGV Station. In TGV, you are 2h40 from Paris, 3h from Roissy and 1h from Lyon thanks to the TGV Mediterranean. Arrived at the TGV train station, you will need 5 min to reach the city centre. One frequent shuttle connects the two stations in 4 minutes. Avignon-Centre welcomes regional trains, Intercity and TGV from Paris.

• By car

Are you in a car? On the A7 motorway , go to Avignon Sud if you come from Marseille, Nice or Italy and Avignon Nord from Lyon or Paris. Are you from Nîmes, Montpellier or Spain? So take the exit Remoulins .

Join the Avignon Bridge

• By bus

Once in town, if you want to go directly from Avignon-Centre Station to Avignon Bridge, you can either go on foot (the distance is 1.6 km), or take public transport. The bus line 57 takes you there in about 15 minutes. By car or taxi, two minutes.

Schedules & Rates of Avignon Bridge

If you simply visit the Pont Saint-Bénézet from a distance, there is no need for a fare or schedule. You can admire it and take pictures at any time of day and night, from the heights of the city or from the banks of the Rhone. For a thorough and explanatory visit, here are the times and rates of access to the Pont:

HORARI

Open all year, every day.

• March : 9h – 6h30
• April to end June : 9h – 7h
• July : 9h – 8h
• August : 9h – 20h30
• September to end October : 9h – 7h
• November to end February : 9h30 - 17h45

The boxes close 30 minutes before the monument closes.

RATES

The tours are offered with free audioguide (11 available languages) and touch tablet. It is possible to buy a ticket combined with access to Palace of the Popes .

• Full rate : simple visit 5€ / with Palais des Papes 14,50 €
• Reduced price* : simple visit 4€ / with Palais des Papes 11,50 €
• Free for persons under 8 years of age, persons with disabilities at +- 80%, Avignonnais, curator-guides, journalists, job seekers on presentation of a recent document (6 months), holders of pass culture.
• Special family rates exist.

*children aged 8-17, university students, large families, disabled persons under 80%, over 60, RSA beneficiaries, etc.).

Special visits

• Pont d’Avignon + boat ride : €13.50 (possible from April to September). Free for under 8 years.

Schedule : April: 15h – May, June and September: 15h and 16h15 – July: 14h, 15h15, 16h30 and 17h45 – August: 11h, 14h, 15h15, 16h30 and 17h45.

• Avignon by a summer evening. This walk starts from the Pont to continue in the city in the sunset.

Rates : 9 € / Duo : 15.50 € / Free child – 8 years. Schedule : July and August / every day at 5:45 pm. September / Wednesday and Friday at 5:45 pm.

• 1h30 viewpoint: discovering the secrets and legends of the monument and its neighbourhood. Theatrical visit and privileged access to the Chapel Saint-Bénézet.

Rates : full price 16,50 € / reduced price : 14,50 € / Reduced price to 6,50 € for 8 – 11 years / free for under 8 years. Schedule August only, 10am or 5:45pm following the days.