Timeline of Avignon facts for kids

The historic centre with the Palais des Papes

Welcome to the exciting history of Avignon, a famous city in southern France! This timeline will take you on a journey through centuries, showing how Avignon grew from an ancient settlement into a city known for its amazing buildings and important past. Get ready to discover popes, kings, and big changes that shaped this incredible place.

Early Days: Before the 1300s

• Around 400s AD: The city gets its own religious leader, called a bishop, setting up the Diocese of Avignon.
• 500: Clovis I, a Frankish king, tries to take Avignon but changes his mind.
• 737: The Frankish leader Charles Martel captures the town after a long fight.
• 1054: A big split happens in the Christian church, creating the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Avignon becomes very important for the Pope in the Catholic Church.
• Around 1129: Avignon starts to govern itself, a period called the Commune.
• 1185: The famous Pont Saint-Bénézet (bridge) is finished.
• Around 1220: New city walls are built to protect the growing town.
• 1226: The French king Louis VIII of France takes Avignon after a three-month siege.
• 1251: The Commune ends, and the brothers of Louis IX of France, Alphonse of Poitiers and Charles I of Anjou, take control.
• 1290: Charles II of Naples becomes the only ruler of Avignon.

The 1300s: Popes in Avignon

• 1303: The University of Avignon is founded, bringing learning to the city.
• 1309: Pope Clement V moves to Avignon. This starts the period known as the Avignon Papacy, where popes lived in Avignon instead of Rome.
• 1335: Building begins on the huge Palais des Papes (Pope's Palace) under Pope Benedict XII.
• 1348:

* Pope Clement VI buys Avignon from Joanna, the countess of Provence, for a lot of money. * The terrible Black Death arrives, killing about half of the city's people.

• Around 1357: Construction starts on the impressive city walls to protect the city.
• 1376: Pope Gregory XI leaves Avignon and returns to Rome, ending the Avignon Papacy.
• 1378: A new split, the Western Schism, begins. There are now two popes: one in Avignon and one in Rome.

The 1400s: Changes and Repairs

• 1417: The Western Schism ends with the election of Pope Martin V in Rome.
• 1475: The Diocese of Avignon becomes an archdiocese, a more important religious area.
• 1479–1488: The city walls are fixed and changed, reducing the number of gates.
• 1481: Avignon becomes like an island of papal land when the area around it, Provence, becomes part of France.

The 1500s: New Ideas and Challenges

• 1517: Important scholars come to teach at the University of Avignon.
• 1561: Pope Pius IV sends his cousin to help defend Avignon during the French Wars of Religion.
• 1580: Another outbreak of plague hits the city.

The 1600s: French Influence Grows

• 1662–1664: Louis XIV of France takes control of Avignon for a short time.
• 1669: The famous Pont Saint-Bénézet (bridge) is no longer used.
• 1688–1689: Louis XIV takes control of Avignon again.

The 1700s: Revolution and France's Control

• 1755: Severe floods cover more than three-quarters of the town.
• 1768–1774: Louis XV of France takes control of Avignon.
• 1791:

* During the French Revolution, Avignon officially becomes part of France. * A sad event called the Massacres of La Glacière happens.

• 1797: Pope Pius VI formally gives control of Avignon to France in a treaty.

The 1800s: Growth and Modernization

• 1800: The population of Avignon is 21,412 people.
• 1801: New administrative areas are created in the city.
• 1811: The Calvet Museum is established, a place for art and history.
• 1819: A new wooden bridge is built across the Rhône River.
• 1825: The Théâtre Municipal (Municipal Theater) opens.
• 1840: Another severe flood hits the town.
• 1849: A railway line opens, connecting Avignon with Marseille.
• 1854:

* A railway line opens, connecting Avignon with Paris. * A serious Cholera sickness spreads through the town.

• 1856: More severe flooding and a part of the city walls collapses.
• 1860: The Gare d'Avignon-Centre (train station) is built.
• 1899: Electric trams start running in Avignon.

The 1900s: New Transport and Culture

• 1901: The population grows to 43,453.
• 1913: The AC Arles-Avignon football (soccer) club is formed.
• 1935: The Rhône River causes serious flooding again.
• 1937: The Avignon-Caumont Aerodrome (airport) is established.
• 1944: During World War II, bombs are dropped on Avignon, damaging railway lines and houses. Many people are killed or injured.
• 1947: The famous Festival d'Avignon begins, a major arts festival.
• 1975: The Parc des Sports (Avignon) (stadium) opens. The population reaches 90,786.
• 1982: Avignon becomes part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France.
• 1984: The Avignon Film Festival begins, and the Université d'Avignon is created.
• 1997: The main campus of the Université d’Avignon is established.

The 2000s: Into the New Millennium

• 2001:

* The Gare d'Avignon TGV (high-speed train station) opens. * The Grand Avignon regional government is created.

• 2003: Flooding affects parts of the town.
• 2006: The population is around 90,800.
• 2009: The Vélopop' bikeshare system starts, letting people rent bikes.
• 2014: Cécile Helle becomes the mayor of Avignon.