We drove to Avignon on Monday the 22nd. In the 14th century, Avignon was the seat of the Papacy, the French king having convinced the Vatican upon the election of the first French pope to move the seat to France from the Vatican. This caused a massive rift in the Catholic church at the time, lasting nearly a century and through the papacy of 9 different popes in Avignon. Apart from the Papal palace, Avignon is probably most famous for its bridge (Pont St Bénezat) that does not quite cross the Rhône! Anyone who ever studied French as a child probably knows the famous song:

“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!”

Though the Pont d’Avignon was mobbed by tourists on Monday (indeed, the entire city), I can report that absolutely no dancing happened on the bridge. At least not while D and I were there…