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Avignon

On highway A8 and route N7, 600km from Paris, 100km from Marseille. 2:30 from Paris by High Speed train.

Avignon, its bridge, its Palace of the Popes, a magnificent city to discover

Vue d'Avignon depuis le Rhône

A city of history, a city of spectacle, Avignon leaves no one indifferent. The life of the popes in Avignon has left an impressive mark on its architecture.

Avignon, the city of the Popes

Le Palais des Papes

Behind the superbly preserved ramparts, you will discover the city of the Popes after passing through one of the seven main gates: the Palace of the Popes built in the 14th century and its lively square, the famous Pont d'Avignon, the Petit Palais and Palais du Roure museums.

Discover the narrow streets of Avignon city centre

Place à Avignon

Take a stroll through the streets of Avignon! You'll be charmed by the old streets, the courtyards of private mansions and the restored facades. One of the most elegant in the city is rue Joseph Vernet, with the Calvet and Requien museums next door.

Musée Avignon

Don't miss the Antiques Quarter, the Place de l'Horloge or the covered walkway leading to the Rocher des Doms. From the top of the ramparts, you'll understand why the city of the Popes has become a formidable fortress palace: Avignon overlooks the immense spaces of the Rhône plain, and is the strategic capital of the Rhône valley.

Avignon, a city of theatre and festivals

Palais à Avignon

Avignon is also the capital of the performing arts with its theatre festival (created in 1947 by Jean Vilar). It generally takes place between 10 July and 5 August. Nearly 120,000 spectators flock to discover young companies or admire shows and actors with established reputations from France and all over the world.

The historic settings give these shows (dance, theatre and music) a new and often refreshing light. The OFF festival is a veritable laboratory for young talent and trendsetters. The street performances add to the inimitable atmosphere, which is in full swing late at night on restaurant terraces after the shows, bringing actors and spectators together.

Tourism: visit a vineyard near Avignon

If you'd like to visit a vineyard near Avignon, here are two suggestions not to be missed.

Located 16 km north of Avignon, the domaine de la Janasse now extends over more than 90 hectares. The estate is one of the elite in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation, producing warm wines with fine tannins. Come and visit the estate to discover their production secrets and taste their different cuvées, all free of charge. Know more and book online

Domaine Mayard

Just 20 minutes from Avignon are the Vignobles Mayard, family estate for 5 generations. Committed to producing quality wines, the estate uses integrated farming methods to bring out the best in their exceptional terroir. The estate has won awards in the main wine guides (Revue des Vins de France, Bettane et Desseauve), and produces wines of great complexity, which you can taste in their magnificent vaulted cellar dating from the 17th century. Know more and book online

Finding accommodation for your holidays in Avignon

With the plethora of holiday accommodation on offer in Avignon, it's not always easy to make a choice and find the best deals. At the bottom of this page, you'll find our recommendations for accommodation in Avignon, including hotels, bed and breakfasts and holiday rentals. These are little nuggets not to be missed. Don't forget to book your holiday as soon as possible, as Avignon is a very popular destination with tourists from France and abroad, especially during the holidays and the Avignon Festival. These accommodations are located in Avignon itself or in the surrounding villages.

What to see

The Palace of the Popes.
Saint Benezet Bridge (the famous "pont d'Avignon").
The Opera.
The Hotel de Ville. Various churches.
Cloitre St. Louis.
The Images Museum (more than 1,000 images of Avignon).
The Petit Palais museum (paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance).
The Calvet Museum.
The Lapidaire Museum (archeology, prehistory and paintings from the XVI to the XX centuries).

Leisure activities

Theater. Opera. Art Gallery.
Swimming pools, horse riding. Tennis.
Squash. Skating rinks.
Ballads and river excursions on the Rhone river.

Hotels

Charming and cozy boutique hotel renovated with elegance ideally located in the heart of Avignon. Refined rooms and spacious suites overlooking the Palais des Papes

81€ - 291€

Bed and breakfast

Mas Les Fleurs d'Hilaire
Monteux (Pays d'Avignon) | Avignon : 23 km - Isle sur Sorgue : 18km

5 guest rooms incl 1 family suite in a contemporary 19th C house
Air conditioning - TV - Small summer kitchen - 1 ha Landscaped park
Large pool 14 X 7 - Massages - Table d'hôtes

109€ - 129€

Bed and breakfast, 4 guest rooms incl 1 suite of 2 rooms for 3 to 4 pers
each with separate entrance and terrace. Sw.Pool. Private shaded parking. On Ile de la Barthelasse

98€ - 135€

Bed and breakfast - 5 guest rooms and suites 2 to 4 pers in a historic mansion overlooking Avignon. Panoramic view. Garden. Swimming pool. Workshops of painting and sculpture. Theme stays

130€ - 250€

Bed & Breakfast - 5 guest rooms (incl 2 suites) roomy and individually personalised - Spacious rooms and individual entrances - swimming pool - Massages

110€ - 170€
Le Clos des Cyprès
Graveson (Alpilles) | St Rémy : 6km - Avignon : 12km

4 air-conditioned charming bed and breakfast, comfortable and cozy. Large swimming pool 14X6, jacuzzi, massages, pool. In a magnificent lush setting. Secure closed parking, gourmet table d'hôtes (former chef).

135€ - 255€

5 bed and breakfast in a 16th renovated house full of charm on 2,5 ha landscaped park with pool. Ping pong, bike rentals - Ile de Barthelasse, 5 km from Palais des Papes + 3 cottages, 1 gypsy caravan, Studio and apartment

102€ - 170€
Mas des Précheurs
Tarascon (Alpilles) | Saint Rémy de Provence : 16 km

Prestigious guest rooms, Junior suites 50m² and Loft suite of 80m² in an authentic farmhouse of 800m2 carefully renovated on a private 18 ha estate with olive trees, pond, swimming pool and permaculture farm. Table d'hôtes.

127€ - 335€

Holiday rentals

Charming and prestigious apartment 250m² up to 6 people in a mansion of character, in the center, in the heart of old Avignon with quiet private garden 500m². 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Closed garage.

1250€ - 2450€

3 cottages and 1 gypsy caravan for 2 pers on 2,5 ha landscaped park,
Studio 2 pers, apart 4 pers in a 16th renovated house (+ 5 B and B) - Pool - Ping pong, bike rentals - Ile de Barthelasse - 5 km from Palais des Papes

609€ - 1358€

Accomodations

Hotels.
Vacation rentals.
Bed and breakfast.
Campsites.

QUESTIONS FROM VISITORS ABOUT AVIGNON

We've received a lot of questions about Avignon. Here are our answers to the most frequently asked questions, which may be of interest to some of you.

How can I visit Avignon in 1 day?

If you only have one day to spend visiting Avignon, we recommend you start at the famous Pont d'Avignon, then cross the Parc du Rocher des Doms towards the Palais des Papes and the old centre. Enjoy a bite to eat on a terrace in the old town and discover the Quartier des Antiquaires in the afternoon, taking a refreshing break in the narrow streets of the district. You can get to and from Avignon TGV station easily if you're coming from far away.

Which villages to visit around Avignon?

There are many beautiful villages in the Vaucluse close to Avignon. If we had to recommend a few, we'd recommend l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, Morières-lès-Avignon and if you have a little time, discover the wonders of the Luberon: Gordes, Bonnieux, Lourmarin...

What to do and where to go in Avignon

A stroll through the historic centre of Avignon is a must, as is a visit to the Palais des Papes and the famous Pont d'Avignon. The papal gardens, the narrow streets of the city centre and the Hôtel des Monnaies are all marvellous places to discover. It's not for nothing that Avignon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful cities in the south of France.

Is Avignon a good place to eat out?

Oh yes, there are many excellent Provencal and/or gastronomic restaurants in the city of Avignon! As Avignon is a city of art and culture, it is very popular with high society and there are plenty of high-end restaurants in the city centre. You'll be spoilt for choice if you're looking for a good restaurant in Avignon. Remember to book in advance if you're in the middle of the tourist season (Festival d'Avignon, school holidays, etc.).

Why is Avignon famous?

Avignon is famous for three main things:

  • Avignon was the residence of the Popes in the 14th century and the Palais des Papes is an architectural marvel,
  • the famous Pont d'Avignon, on which people dance in popular song, is also very beautiful,
  • The Avignon Theatre Festival is the most famous and prestigious theatre festival in the world.
Avignon dans le Vaucluse.
place à Avignon.
Avignon pont.
Le pont d'Avignon.

NEIGHBOURING TOWNS AND VILLAGES

Le Pontet (3km) and Morières les Avignon (10km).

Zoom in the map

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