This popular children's song describes folk dancing, and the bridge of the song is the Pont d'Avignon, or more properly the Pont St-Bénezet. This famous medieval bridge spans less than half of the Rhône River between the old town of Avignon and Villeneuve-les-Avignon on the left bank. Technically, people would have danced beneath the bridge (sous le pont) where it crossed l'Ile de Barthelasse on its way to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.

The bridge's construction was inspired by Saint Bénézet, a local shepherd boy who (according to tradition) was commanded by angels to build a bridge across the river.