Saint Bénézet bridge in Avignon

aint Bénézet is actually a child, a simple shepherd in the Vivarais region, 100km north from Avignon. When he is 12 years old, he has a vision : Jesus Christ order him to build a brige across the Rhone river. He comes right away in Avignon and ask directly to the bishop delivering his sermon in the cathedral. To get over the scepticism of the Bishop and the audience, he accomplishes a miracle : he lift up huge stone and throw it in the Rhone river, where it will be the basis for the first pile of the bridge. Convince of God's will, the Avignon's inhabitants stand up for Bénézet and help him to build the bridge.

ctually, Bénézet was not the builder, but the funds raiser, with an exceptionnal charism. He founds the religious order of the Pontiff brothers (brothers of the bridge) in charge to collect the money necessary to accomplish God's will. They spread this beautiful legend who touched believers heart and aroused their generosity.

énézet died at the age of 19 only, of exhaustion, one year before its work achievement. His remains are left in the Saint Nicolas chapel built on the bridge. He is the object of a strong popular devotion. Despite he never was officially canonized by the catholic Church, he is consider like a Saint since the 13th century. In 1674, with the bridge's ruin, its remains are transfered in the Celestins church in Avignon, then in 1854 in the Saint Didier church where they still lie.