Avignon

Avignon (, US also , French: [aviɲɔ̃] ; Provençal: Avinhon (Classical norm) or Avignoun (Mistralian norm), IPA: [aviˈɲun]; Latin: Avenio) is the prefecture of the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southern France. Located on the left bank of the river Rhône, the commune has a population of 92,188 (2023), with about 16,000 (estimate from Avignon's municipal services) living in the ancient town centre enclosed by its medieval walls. Between 1309 and 1377, during the Avignon Papacy, seven successive popes resided in Avignon and in 1348 Pope Clement VI bought the town from Joanna I of Naples. Papal control persisted until 1791 when during the French Revolution it became part of France. This is why Avignon is also known as La Cité des Papes ('The City of the Popes'). The city is the capital of the Vaucluse department and is one of the constituent municipalities in the Vaucluse and the Gard of the urban agglomeration of Grand Avignon with a combined population of 199,932 (2023). The historic centre is one of the few cities in France to have preserved its mediaeval city walls and includes the Palais des Papes, Avignon Cathedral and the Pont d'Avignon. Due to its architectural and cultural importance during the 14th and 15th centuries, it was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1995. The medieval monuments and the annual Festival d'Avignon – one of the world's largest festivals for performing arts – have helped to make the town a major centre for tourism.