The original number of the Félibres was seven, and they first met on the fête-day of Ste. Estelle; in whose honour they adopted the seven-pointed star as their emblem. Significantly, the number seven has much to do with the Félibres and Avignon alike. The enthusiastic Félibre tells of Avignon's seven churches, its seven gates, seven colleges, seven hospitals, and seven popes--who reigned at Avignon for seven decades; and further that the word Félibre has seven letters, as, also, has the name of Mistral, one of its seven founders--who took seven years in writing his epics. [Illustration: NOTRE DAME _des DOMS d'AVIGNON_] The machicolated walls, towers, and gateways of Avignon, which protected the city in mediæval times, and--history tells us--sheltered twice as many souls as now, are in a remarkable state of preservation and completeness, and rank foremost among the masterworks of fortification of their time. This outer wall, or _enceinte_, was built at the instigation of Clement VI., in 1349, and was the work of but fourteen years. A hideously decorated building opposite the papal palace--now the _Conservatoire de Musique_--was formerly the papal mint. The ruined bridge of St. Bénezet, built in the twelfth century, is a remarkable example of the engineering skill of the time. Surmounting the four remaining arches--still perfect as to their configuration--is a tiny chapel dedicated to St. Nicholas, which formerly contained _reliques_ of St. Bénezet. The extraordinary circumstance which led up to the building of this bridge seems legendary, to say the least. It is recorded that St. Bénezet, its founder, who was a mere shepherd, became inspired by God to undertake this great work. The inspiration must likewise have brought with it not a little of the uncommon skill of the bridge-builder, and, considering the extent and scope of the projected work, something of the spirit of benefaction as well. The foundation was laid in 1171, and it was completed, after seventeen years of labour, in 1188. On this bridge, near the entrance to the city, was erected a hospital of religious persons, who were denominated _Les Frères du Pont_, their offices being to preserve the fabric, and to afford succour to all manner of travellers. The boldness and utility of this undertaking,--it being the only means of communication between Avignon and the French territory beyond the Rhône,--as well as the permanency assured to it by the annexing of a religious foundation, cannot fail to grant to the memory of its holy founder something more than a due share of veneration on behalf of his genius and perspicacity. XI ST. SIFFREIN DE CARPENTRAS The tiny city of Carpentras, most picturesquely situated on the equally diminutive river Auzon which enters the Rhône between Orange and Avignon, was a Roman colony under Augustus, and a bishopric under St. Valentin in the third century. A suffragan of Avignon, the papal city, the see was suppressed in 1790.