The weakness and the division of the feudal power, caused in 1129 the establishment of the commune; the city became independent, governed by the knights and the rich citizens under the authority of the Bishop.

With the unique regime, Avignon is transformed into a cosmopolitan city of trade and traffic. It became very rich, and edified the bridge on the river as well as the Cathedral. It became powerful, surrounded with double ramparts, while the solid mansions became more and more present in town.

As it was allied to Toulouse, the city was occupied by the king of France Louis VIII, in 1226 at the departure of the Albigois Crusade.

Avignon loses with this its independence, that took the city long time to emerge from this disaster. A beautiful and strong city with 7 churches, with a Palace, the hospitaliers and the templars knights bases, several convents and a university (1303), that was Avignon at the beginning of the XIVth century.

The Saint Bénezet bridge

According to the legend, the well known bridge of Avignon was edified by a young shepherd , Bénezet, upon a divine order. Achieved in 1185 , it was the main path on the Rhone between Lyon and the sea.

Destroyed in 1226, rebuilt several times afterwards, today it is only ruins with 4 arches and a chapel listed in world patrimony , it is the origin of the children famous song known "sur le pont d’Avignon".

The Domes

This cathedral is the only complete romanesque type edifice from the XIIth century in the city, different modifications were added to it , one of them is the golden lead virgin in 1859, inside: the grave of the Pope Jean XXII besides an important collection of art .

Saint Ruf Abbay

The abbay, was established during the carolingian era on a palea-chistian religious site (outside the walls), reestablished by the monks of Notre Dame des Doms in 1039.