Avignon

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Avignon

Avignon Location within Provence-A.-C.d'A. region  Avignon Administration Country France Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Department Vaucluse Arrondissement Avignon Intercommunality Grand Avignon Mayor Marie-Josée Roig (UMP) (2008–2014) Statistics Elevation 10–122 m (33–400 ft) (avg. 23 m or 75 ft) Land area1 64.78 km2 (25.01 sq mi) Population2 94,787  (2006)  - Density 1,463 /km2 (3,790 /sq mi) Time zone CET (GMT +1) INSEE/Postal code 84007/ 84000 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Coordinates: 43°57′N 4°49′E / 43.95°N 4.81°E / 43.95; 4.81

Avignon (French pronunciation: ​; Occitan: Avinhon in classical norm or Avignoun in Mistralian norm) is a French commune in southeastern France in the départment of the Vaucluse bordered by the left bank of the Rhône river. Of the 94,787 inhabitants of the city (as of 1 January 2010), about 12,000 live in the ancient town centre surrounded by its medieval ramparts.

Often referred to as the "City of Popes" because of the presence of popes and antipopes from 1309 to 1423 during the Catholic schism, it is currently the largest city and capital of the département of Vaucluse. This is one of the few French cities to have preserved its ramparts. In addition, its historic centre, the palace of the popes, Rocher des Doms, and the bridge of Avignon are well-preserved. It was classified a World Heritage Site by UNESCO under the criteria I, II and IV.

As a showcase of arts and culture, the fame of its annual theatre festival, known as the Festival d'Avignon, has far exceeded the French borders.