Île de la Barthelasse
Île de la Barthelasse is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Avignon audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~30 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type park
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Avignon Avignon guide
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About Île de la Barthelasse
The long green island in the Rhone facing Avignon, source of the classic view of bridge, rock and palace, and home of the 'sous le pont' dancing tradition.
Île de la Barthelasse is a large, low-lying island in the Rhone, set between Avignon and Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and directly opposite the city walls. It divides the river into the broad grand Rhone and the narrower petit Rhone, and is often described as the largest river island in Europe. From its Chemin des Berges towpath come the classic views of the Pont Saint-Benezet, the Rocher des Doms and the Palais des Papes.
Largely rural, the island is given over to market gardening and leisure. It is reached by the Pont Edouard Daladier and, for much of the year, by a free river shuttle from the Rocher des Doms. In the 19th century open-air dance cafes, or guinguettes, ran on the island and beneath the ruined arches of the bridge. This underlies the popular reading that the traditional song, whose roots are traced to the 15th century, describes dancing 'sous' (under or beside) the Pont d'Avignon rather than on it.
Did you know? Île de la Barthelasse splits the Rhone into two arms and is often called the largest river island in Europe, though that ranking is a repeated tourism claim rather than a settled fact.
How long should you spend at Île de la Barthelasse?
Plan about ~30 min at Île de la Barthelasse. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Île de la Barthelasse worth visiting?
Île de la Barthelasse is one of the 13 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Avignon, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Avignon
Day 2 of the Avignon in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Île de la Barthelasse
Preview the Avignon tour free in the Gingerguide app.