Watching over the Saint-Bénézet Bridge, the chapel lends it both elegance and protection through the passing centuries.
A Medieval Chapel on the Rhône
Built in the 12th century, the Saint-Bénézet Bridge, distinguished by its eponymous chapel, was a bold medieval construction linking Avignon to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. Partially destroyed today, the bridge retains a mystical aura, emanating from the Romanesque chapel nestled within it. Its refined and pure form evokes a time when faith and architecture intertwined to create structures imbued with spirituality.
A Place of Pilgrimage
The chapel and the bridge are inseparable from the legend of Saint Bénézet, a young shepherd who was said to have been guided by angels to build a bridge at this precise location. The chapel was erected after the saint’s death to house his relics and become a site of pilgrimage. Its architecture exemplifies pure Provençal style, with an arcade resting on six columns forming its sole decoration. The vaulted roof, once at risk of collapse, was replaced in the 17th century.
During the 17th century, as the bridge fell into ruin, the saint’s relics were transferred to the Celestine Convent, and in the 18th century to Saint Didier Church, where they remain today. Although Bénézet was never formally canonized, Pope John XXII officially recognized his sanctity.
A Rhône Treasure
Beyond its spiritual and historical significance, the Saint-Bénézet Chapel is set within a unique natural frame. The river flows along the medieval ramparts of the Provençal city, between the cliffs of the Rocher des Doms and the Papal Palace on one side, and the sun-drenched fields of the Île de la Barthelasse on the other. It is an enchanting setting, perfect for a leisurely stroll or quiet contemplation.
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Perched between sky and Rhône, the Saint-Bénézet Chapel invites visitors to immerse themselves in the living and spiritual history of Provence. This extraordinary site, charged with elemental forces and where history blends with legend, serves as the perfect starting point to explore Avignon and its surrounding Provençal lands.