Avignon

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/avignon

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How many people live in Avignon?Commune: 93,671 (2017); Grand Avignon urban unit: 197,102 (2022)
2. How big is Avignon?Urban area experienced 136% increase from 1999-2010
3. What language do people speak in Avignon?French (official); historical presence of Provençal dialects
4. When was Avignon built?Ancient Roman settlement (Avenio)
5. What is Avignon famous for?Avignon is famous for its huge medieval walls, the grand Palais des Papes where popes once lived, and the iconic Pont d'Avignon, a bridge with only a few arches left.
6. Why is the bridge in Avignon called Pont d'Avignon?The bridge is officially named Pont Saint-Bénézet. It was built in the 12th century, but today only four of its original twenty‑two arches remain, making it a famous symbol.

Avignon Papacy: The historical period (1309-1377) when the seat of the Catholic Papacy was located in Avignon, France.
Palais des Papes: A vast Gothic palace in Avignon, one of the largest medieval buildings in Europe, serving as the papal residence.
Pont Saint-Bénézet: The medieval bridge in Avignon, famously known for its incomplete structure, with only a few arches remaining.
Festival d'Avignon: A major international performing arts festival held annually in Avignon, transforming the city into a cultural hub.