Avignon: The 14th-Century Papal City of Provence 🇫🇷✨

Every Catholic knows the Vatican—but few realize there was another papal capital on the banks of the Rhône: Avignon. ⏳ Ancient Roots Existed since China’s Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE–9 CE)! Some trace its history to 500 BCE (Eastern Zhou era), founded by Celtic-Ligurian tribes. 🌬️ City of Wind & Water Perched on Mont Dom (windy! 🌪️) and guarding the Rhône River (mythical river spirits! 🌊), its landscape is as dramatic as its history. 💸 Quirky Tax Tales Taxes were once calculated by: Number of pianos 🎹 Count of windows 🪟 Cue locals painting fake windows on walls to cheat the system! 😆 🏆 UNESCO Glory Crowned a World Heritage Site in 1995 for its papal palace, bridge, and timeless charm. #Avignon #ProvençalHistory #PapalSeat #WorldHeritage #TravelTrivia 🏰📜