Avignon

American  

[a-vee-nyawn] / a viˈnyɔ̃ /

noun

1. a city in and the capital of Vaucluse, in SE France, on the Rhone River: papal residence 1309–77.

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Avignon British  

/ aviɲɔ̃ /

noun

1. a city in SE France, on the Rhône: seat of the papacy (1309–77); famous 12th-century bridge, now partly destroyed. Pop: 85 935 (1999)

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Example Sentences

A separate U.S. official reportedly brought up the fourteenth-century Avignon papacy.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

This was a time tensions between the French monarchy and the papacy that lead to a seven-decade-long relocation of the papacy from Rome to the French-controlled Avignon.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

She became a global figurehead of strength and feminism, and during the 15-week trial in Avignon, supporters stood outside the court every day with signs thanking Ms Pelicot for her courage, and calling for justice.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

In the 2024 trial in Avignon that garnered global attention, she declined the option to hold it behind closed doors, saying she wanted the world to know what she had been subjected to.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

“You went to Piltchard and Wren after the first Avignon mission and told them you didn’t ever want to fly with me. That’s why, isn’t it?”

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller