Everything Everywhere Daily · Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Avignon was chosen as the new papal seat due to its strategic location, proximity to trade routes and banking networks, and greater stability compared to Rome. While technically not part of the Kingdom of France at the time, its closeness to French territories and the surrounding papal control in the Comte Venaissin made it a viable alternative.
“There were practical reasons to avoid Rome. The city was chronically unstable. Powerful aristocratic families such as the Colonna and Orsini competed violently for influence.”
“At the time, however, it was technically not part of the Kingdom of France, although it was close. At the beginning of the Avignon period, the city belonged to the Counts of Provence.”
“Avignon was also near important trade routes and banking networks, making communication and finance relatively easy, at least compared to Rome.”