Avignon: History, Former Names & Timeline
City on the Rhône where the popes resided from 1309 to 1377; the Palace of the Popes is one of the largest Gothic palaces in Europe.
AvignonExplore Avignon in the interactive map
Former names of Avignon
| From | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 500 BC | Avenio | |
| 1100 | Avignon |
Timeline of Avignon
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1309 | Pope Clement V settles in Avignon |
| 1348 | Clement VI buys Avignon from Queen Joanna of Naples |
| 1377 | Gregory XI returns to Rome |
| 1378 | The Western Schism begins, with rival popes in Avignon |
| 1791 | Avignon is annexed to France |
Who ruled Avignon
Derived from the border maps; each row runs until the next recorded border change.
| Period | State |
|---|---|
| 500 BC–401 BC | Greek city-states |
| 400 BC–324 BC | Greek colonies |
| 323 BC–101 BC | Unclaimed / no data |
| 100 BC–2 BC | Roman Republic |
| 1 BC–299 | Roman Empire |
| 300–399 | Rome (Constantinus) |
| 400–499 | Western Roman Empire |
| 500–599 | Ostrogoths |
| 600–799 | Frankish Kingdom |
| 800–999 | Carolingian Empire |
| 1000–1199 | Kingdom of France |
| 1200–1299 | Comté de Toulouse |
| 1300–today | France |
Landmarks in and around Avignon
Pont du GardStanding · AD 50
Famous people of Avignon
| Lived | Person | |
|---|---|---|
| 1304 – 1374 | Petrarch | Poet and humanist |
Nearby cities
Questions about Avignon
What was Avignon called in the past?
Avignon has been known as Avenio (from 500 BC). Its present name dates from 1100.
Which states have ruled Avignon?
On the historical border maps from 500 BC to today, Avignon lies within 12 different states: Greek city-states, Greek colonies, Roman Republic, Roman Empire, Rome (Constantinus), Western Roman Empire, Ostrogoths, Frankish Kingdom, Carolingian Empire, Kingdom of France and others.
What are the key dates in the history of Avignon?
1309: Pope Clement V settles in Avignon. 1348: Clement VI buys Avignon from Queen Joanna of Naples. 1377: Gregory XI returns to Rome. 1378: The Western Schism begins, with rival popes in Avignon. 1791: Avignon is annexed to France.
Which famous people are connected with Avignon?
Petrarch (poet and humanist, 1304 – 1374).