Happy Tuesday friends! Today I am excited to share with you a bit more from our Rhone River Cruise that we took last April! This beautiful and whimsical carrousel was so delightful to see that I had to write an entire post just about it! If you are visiting Avignon on a cruise or a different trip, make sure to stop by the square and see (or have children ride!) the carrousel. It is so beautiful!
Located in the heart of Avignon in the Place de l’Horloge, just a short distance from the Palais des Papes (you can read about our visit to the Palais des Papes HERE!), the Carrousel Belle Époque is a modern carousel designed in the style of late 19th- and early 20th-century French fairground rides.
Our tour started early in the morning before the carrousel opened, but later in the afternoon it was in full use!
The Belle Époque Carousel Tradition
Carousels became especially popular in France during the Belle Époque. Advances in steam power and later electric motors made it possible to construct elaborate rotating platforms adorned with:
* Hand-carved wooden horses
* Gilded mirrors and painted panels
* Ornamental canopies with decorative lighting
* Mechanical organ music
French carousel makers were known for craftsmanship and detail. Unlike some American carousels that emphasized speed and dramatic motion, French designs often focused on artistry and refined decoration.
The Avignon carousel follows this tradition visually, even though it is a later installation.
Location and Cultural Setting
The Carrousel Belle Époque sits in Place de l’Horloge, Avignon’s central square. This square has been a civic gathering space for centuries and developed into a social hub during the 19th century as cafés, theaters, and public life expanded.
* The 14th-century Gothic palace, built when Avignon was the seat of the papacy (1309–1377)
* A Belle Époque–style carousel representing leisure culture of the modern era
This juxtaposition reflects how French cities layer different historical periods within a single public space.
Public Carousels in Modern France
As I was reading more about carousels in France, I learned that today, Belle Époque–style carousels remain common in French town squares. Many are:
* Privately owned and operated
* Installed as semi-permanent fixtures in tourist centers
* Designed intentionally in nostalgic, historic styles
They function both as children’s attractions and as decorative heritage elements that reinforce France’s cultural identity around craftsmanship and public square life. The Carrousel Belle Époque in Avignon fits within this broader national tradition rather than representing a specific medieval artifact.
As I mentioned above, the carousel is easily accessible on foot from Avignon's historic center. It is operated much of the year (and definitely during tourist season).
While it is not a major historical monument, it reflects:
* The evolution of public entertainment in France
* The Belle Époque fascination with mechanical artistry
* The continued importance of town squares as communal spaces
In a city known primarily for papal history and Gothic architecture, the Carrousel Belle Époque offers insight into a later chapter of French cultural life — one shaped not by ecclesiastical authority, but by leisure, craftsmanship, and urban civic identity.
Thank you for stopping by and reading today! I hope that you enjoyed this brief overview of Carrousel Belle Epoque! I can't wait to share more about our adventures on this cruise! If you are interested in reading more about our Rhone River Cruise with Viking, you can click on the links below:
Viking River Cruise (2025):
Arles: // The Arles Ampitheater (Les Arenes D' Arles) //A Day in Arles France //
Viking Cruise Specific Posts: // Embarkation Day on the Viking Delling //
// Viking Rhone River Cruise: Answers to Your Most FAQ's // 9 Must Have Experiences on the Viking Delling //
Viking Rhone River Specific IG Reels: // The Incredible Crew of the Viking Delling (IG Reel) //
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