Avignon detailed map and regional map, Google Map.
Avignon, Past and Present
Avignon is considered one of the most ancient towns in Europe. Artifacts from the Cardial period (3000 BC) attest to it's ancient past. Since the Neolithic period (2000 BC) large groups have lived at Avignon's current location. Amongst the remarkable pieces are the steles with human characteristics, part of the Megalithic current (e.g. small, human-faced Stonehenges). Also remarkable are the little engraved suns that reflect the already growing artist aspirations of Avignon.
From this period on, Avignon becomes one of the main cities of Europe; one of the 80 cities of the Roman Empire with its own money. During the 2nd century AD, the city is officially promoted to title of "Roman city" with 27,000 inhabitants.
