AVIGNON, an arrondissement in the department of Vaucluse, in France, divided into 5 cantons and 20 communes; area 124,304 acres. Pop. in 1851, 78,382. The capital, of the same name, is situated in a beautiful valley on the left bank of the Rhone. It is surrounded by walls planted with trees, which form an agreeable promenade. The houses are old but large, the streets narrow and crooked; but several of the public edifices are magnificent, particularly the cathedral and the ancient palace of the popes. Pop. 31,812. It is the seat of an archbishop, and has tribunals of primary jurisdiction and commerce, a royal college, a theological seminary, a society of arts, a normal school, a public library, theatre, &c. The chief object of industry is the preparation of silk, and the manufacture of silk goods; there are also manufactures of paper, leather, hats, jewellery, &c. Till the French revolution this city belonged to the papal see, and was the residence of the several popes from 1303 to 1376. It was seized by the republicans in 1791, and after some barbarous proceedings was at length united to France. The name of Petrarch is associated with Avignon; and here he first beheld the Laura whom he has immortalized. Long. 4. 52. 20. E. Lat. 43. 56. 58. N.