May 2nd, 1998
While living in Avignon, Pope Benedict XII had told the cardinals that he wanted to return to Rome, and had even had the roof of St. Peter's repaired. But civil war in Italy again prevented the move, as did the "100 Years' Task" of reconciling the warring kings of France and England (Philip VI and Edward III). It was at this point, in 1336, that work began on the magnificent Palais des Papes.
La Cite des Papes
By now, with the curia having been removed for more than thirty years, and the past two popes having never even set foot in Italy, a return would mean a drastic change of life for the cardinals, as well as for the pope. In addition to this, changes in the demography of Latin Christendom had placed Rome on the periphery, whereas Avignon was more equidistant from the major Christian centers (now located to the north, rather than the east, as of old), with its position on the Rhone making it an ideal point of departure. Avignon also possessed the southernmost bridge across the Rhone, the legendary Pont-St.-Benezet, constructed between 1177 and 1185 (this is the bridge referred to in the French song "Sur le Pont d'Avignon"). Avignon's central location made ecclesiastical administration more efficient, disregarding the fact that the papacy couldn't have operated in Rome anyway, for all the fighting going on. All of these factors contributed to the pope's decision to build, and to take up permanent residence in Avignon.

snap Starting Point Cote d'Azur Avignon Palais des Papes - I Been here.
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