Avignon under the legates: a papal town beside France

History of Avignon Prehistory Before Rome Gallo-Roman Avignon Late antiquity Early Middle Ages The medieval commune The papal move The papal court Western Schism Legates Wars of Religion Altera Roma Eighteenth century Union with France Napoleon Nineteenth century Twentieth century Early twenty-first century

The papal court’s departure changed Avignon’s role without ending its activity. It remained papal territory, a trading centre and an artistic hub alongside the kingdom of France.

A town of trade and art

After the crises of the Western Schism, Avignon retained commercial, financial and artistic activity. Italian connections remained important. The court’s departure did not erase the legacy of the cardinals’ residences or the networks formed in the previous century.

The Petit Palais in Avignon © Vincent Flachaire

Papal government

Legates and later vice-legates represented papal authority in Avignon. The neighbouring Comtat Venaissin had its own institutions. Giuliano della Rovere, the future Pope Julius II, left his mark in the late fifteenth century through the transformation of the Petit Palais and the town’s cultural influence.

Julius II, portrait by Raphael

Relations with the French crown

In 1481, Louis XI inherited the county of Provence. Avignon and the Comtat became enclaves within the French kingdom while remaining papal territories. In the sixteenth century, the Italian Wars and French interventions demonstrated their strategic importance.

Francis I, portrait by Jean Clouet

Under Francis I and his successors, royal letters granted inhabitants of Avignon and the Comtat rights of régnicolité. These provisions facilitated some relations and trade with France without annexing the territories.

Further reading: The union of Provence with France: René of Anjou to 1487.

History of Avignon Prehistory Before Rome Gallo-Roman Avignon Late antiquity Early Middle Ages The medieval commune The papal move The papal court Western Schism Legates Wars of Religion Altera Roma Eighteenth century Union with France Napoleon Nineteenth century Twentieth century Early twenty-first century