Originally the bridge at Avignon consisted in excess of 20 arches which crossed the very wide, floodable area through which the Rhone flows. Centuries of floods, inundations, floating debris and no doubt mans warlike interventions have resulted in only 6 arches remaining. It was during one of these floods when the couples danced and sang "sous la pont" that the waters rose very quickly and washed them all to their doom, all to be found, washed up in the Carmague. The Pope who happened to be in residence at the time, viewing the terrible event from his "fallaise" on the citadel was so appalled and saddened that he approached the town council and it was agreed that, from thence, the song would be changed and the young dancers would only dance "sur la pont". This historic occurrence heralded the first European Health & Safety Executive.