Avignon, a " door " to Orient (first half of the 14th Century) In the process of progressive affirmation of the universality of the Pope's spiritual power, the Papacy era in Avignon acquired an important position, particularly during the first half of the 14th century. Such a fact was namely marked by the establishment of an active organization oriented to Oriental missions. Within the framework of this missionary activity, and along with diverse Crusade projects, the Orient was the center of several discussions that occurred in the Papal court or in his areas of influence. Within a few decades, the presence of a considerable number of missionaries, departing from or arriving in the city, of Orientals, ambassadors, lay or religious, staying for a while,is detected. Texts and documents left behind by these missionaries, correlated with their activity, can be testimonials of their essentially oral exchange of information. Eventually, the multiplicity and the diffusion of these texts reflect an obvious interest in the Orient-related questions, revolving around the Papal court.