About Avignon, France:
Avignon is associated with one of the more interesting chapters in Catholic Church history.
Pope Clement V (the first of the Avignon popes) was elected in 1305. He was French and never entered Rome as pope due to political instability and pressure from the French king, Philip IV (“the Fair”). The papacy and the curia moved from Rome to Avignon in 1309 to escape the extreme political turmoil and violence in Rome, and to align with French interests under Pope Clement V, himself a Frenchman.
The result became known as the “Avignon Papacy” (it lasted 67 years from 1309 to 1376). This period was also coined by the scholar Francesco Petrarch (1304–1374) as “The Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy”.
This move placed the papal court in a French-influenced area that was still technically in the Kingdom of Arles.
Avignon was a papal territory that became home to seven Popes from 1309 to 1376.
The seven popes that reigned at Avignon were all French, and all under the influence of the French Crown.
Clement V (1305–1314): officially relocated the papal court (the Curia) to Avignon in 1308, although the move is often dated specifically to March 9, 1309.
Sede Vacante (1314-1316): following Clement V’s death in April 1314, a two-year sede vacante (vacancy) occurred due to disputes among cardinals before John XXII was elected in 1316, continuing the Avignon Papacy.
John XXII (1316–1334): highly organized and bureaucratic, known for strengthening Papal finances. Also survived an attempted assassination in 1317.
Benedict XII (1334–1342): Built the Old Palace.
Clement VI (1342–1352): Built the New Palace.
Innocent VI (1352–1362): initiated the Holy League which brought together the states of the Holy Roman Empire and King John III Sobieski of Poland-Lithuania who in 1683 hastened to the relief of Vienna which was being besieged by the Turks.
Urban V (1362–1370): the only Avignon pope to be beatified. Even after his election as pontiff, he continued to follow the Benedictine Rule, living simply and modestly.
Gregory XI (1370–1378): returned the papacy to Rome in 1376, arriving in January 1377. After Gregory’s death in 1378, deteriorating relations between his successor, Urban VI, and a faction of cardinals gave rise to the Western Schism.
Catholic places of interest in Avignon, France:
Avignon is rich in history and offers a great opportunity to sample French culture. In addition, and perhaps even more interesting, Avignon is home to a Eucharistic Miracle that took place in the 15th Century.
Papal Palace: the largest Gothic palace of the Middle Ages, serving as the 14th-century seat of Western Christianity. Built starting in 1335 by Popes Benedict XII (the old palace) and later Clement VI (the New Palace), featuring frescos by Matteo Giovanetti.
Pénitents Gris d’Avignon / Chapelle Sainte Croix (Chapel of the Grey Penitents): a rich history dating back to the 17th century, features stunning stained-glass windows and neoclassical architecture.
Traveling to Avignon, France:
Avignon is located on the left bank of the Rhône River in southeastern France as a historic, strategic waterway connecting Lyon to the Mediterranean Sea.
By air: Avignon–Provence Airport (IATA code AVN) is served by some regional airlines.
By ship: numerous river cruises stop at Avignon. Popular options include Viking River Cruises’ Lyon & Provence itineraries, Avalon Waterways’ Burgundy & Provence routes, and luxury options from Uniworld.
By train: Avignon is easily reached by train (always our preferred choice of travel in France). Note that there are two train stations serving Avignon. The regular trains come in to the main station in the center of town. Travel time on the high-speed TGV from Paris is about 3 1/2 hours and from Marseille about 30 minutes. The TGV station is about a mile from the city center and you can catch a bus from there into the city. Some TGV connections from other cities such as Paris change trains in Lyon and then proceed by local train.
The local train from Paris Montparnasse Station takes about 3 hours, and the one from Marseille takes about 90 minutes……but the beautiful countryside may be worth the extra time. Get train & bus schedules, see fares & buy tickets here