Avignon

Avignon, its bridge, its Palais des Papes, a magnificent city to discover

Welcome to majestic Avignon, a city that instantly transports you to the heart of the 14th century! We invite you to discover this ancient City of the Popes, where every street tells a fascinating story.

The Palais des Papes, Europe's largest Gothic palace, dominates the city with its imposing silhouette, while the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet still dances on the Rhône.

Right in the heart of the historic center, you'll stroll through a veritable open-air museum, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cultural effervescence is particularly palpable in July, during the theater festival that transforms the city into the biggest stage in France. From theaters to restaurants to charming hotels, we'll guide you to the best addresses for an unforgettable experience in this must-see city of our beautiful Provence.

Avignon, city of the Popes

Behind the superbly preserved ramparts, you'll discover the city of the Popes after passing through one of the seven main gates: the Palais des Papes 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 downtown Avignon

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

Don't miss the Antiquaires district, 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 became a formidable fortress palace: Avignon overlooks the vast spaces of the Rhône plain, and is the strategic capital of the Rhône valley. Also worth a visit is the superb church of Saint Pierre.

Avignon, city of theater and festivals

Avignon is also the capital of the performing arts, with its theater festival (created in 1947 by Jean Vilar). It generally takes place between July 10 and August 5. Some 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, theater and music) a new and often refreshing light. The OFF festival is a veritable laboratory for young talent and trendsetters. Street performances round off the inimitable atmosphere that reigns late into the evening 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.

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.

Our map of Avignon

To find your way around Avignon, you can use our interactive city map. We've included all the city's points of interest (Palais des Papes, Pont Saint-Bénézet, Eglise Saint-Pierre...) as well as our accommodation recommendations.