If Even Popes get Castles…Why Can’t I Have One?

Avignon and Pont du Gard. A day trip spanning Roman times to medieval history to modern day.

La Palais des Papes

In 1305 Pope Clement V moved the papacy from Rome to Avignon. He did this because he felt unsafe in Rome, and also because the muggy weather didn’t agree with him. The palace that exists today was constructed a few decades later under Benedict XII in 1334 and continued in 1342. The palace is the largest medieval Gothic palace in the world.

In 1376, Pope Gregory XI moved papal power back to Rome, but when he died two years later a new pope was elected in Rome and an opposing pope was elected in Avignon. Over the next few decades, the palace withstood several sieges and people battled confusion over where their allegiance lay. In 1409, a council declared both popes illegitimate and elected a third pope.

A few years later, another council finally arranged the abdication of the Roman pope and the third one, and then excommunicated the Avignon pope. A new pope was elected in Rome (only one) and the confusion came to end.

I can understand why one would want to be a pope at that time—they lived like kings.

The medieval wall surrounding the city of Avignon still stands today. It was beautiful to see how Avignon has embraced its history, but also worked the modern around it.

After exploring, my friends and I met a Canadian study abroad student while looking for lunch in Avignon. He showed us his favorite spot and bought us lunch, excited to have someone to speak English with. This is what’s supposed to happen when you travel and study abroad!

Pont du Gard

The afternoon took us to Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct constructed in the first century AD. This is the largest remaining aqueduct in Europe. In it’s time, it carried water over 31 miles to Nîmes, dropping only 1 foot in altitude every mile.

We were lucky because the sun came out just as we were arriving!