Avignon

In the 14th century Pope Clement V and his court fled political problems in Rome for Avignon. For nearly 70 years the popes spent insane amounts of money on the papal palace. The cardinals have huge homes across the river, and it is said that the pope(s) would cross the bridge of Avignon to visit the cardinals because they thought Avignon was smelly. (Understandably, it was walled in and sewage ran through the streets.) On one occasion a pope had gold coins thrown in front of him the entire way to show his power and wealth…tithing money. Of course at this point the pope was more of a political title and taxes were collected. But often when in rivalry with a governing force the people were taxed twice, by government and church!

We picnicked on what is left of the Avignon bridge and, of course, danced while singing:
Sur la pont d’Avignon
L’on y danse, l’on y danse
Sur la pont d’Avignon
L’on y danse tout en rond

(On the bridge of Avignon
Everyone is dancing, everyone is dancing
On the bridge of Avignon
Everyone is dancing in a circle)

The papal palace