Visit Avignon

Behind its intact ramparts, Avignon was the capital of Christendom in the 14th century and still shows it in stone: the largest Gothic palace in Europe, a bridge that stops mid-Rhone, a maze of squares. Two days cover the city, four to range across Provence.

Why visit Avignon?

On a promontory above the Rhone, Avignon holds a UNESCO-listed monumental set: the Papal Palace, the Saint-Benezet bridge and the ramparts. The city is the gateway to postcard Provence: the Pont du Gard, the Luberon and the Alpilles are all under an hour away, and the TGV puts Paris at 2h40.

Avignon's must-sees

Monuments of the city and nearby sites, most on foot within the walls.

Papal Palace

The largest Gothic palace in Europe, home to nine popes in the 14th century, fifteen thousand square metres of halls and chapels, toured with the Histopad.

Saint-Benezet Bridge

The bridge of the song, built in the 12th century and swept away by floods, with four of its twenty-two arches left.

Rocher des Doms

A promontory garden above the Rhone, with views to the Barthelasse island, Mont Ventoux and Villeneuve.

Place de l'Horloge

The city's lively heart, terraces, a 1900 carousel and the town hall, on the site of the old Roman forum.

Les Halles

A covered market with a plant facade of 4,000 species, forty traders, open Tuesday to Sunday morning.

Rue des Teinturiers

A cobbled lane along the Sorgues canal, waterwheels of the old calico works, cafes and studios.

Petit Palais Museum

A former cardinal's residence holding a collection of 13th to 16th-century Italian painting, free entry.

Villeneuve Charterhouse

One of the largest charterhouses in France, cloisters, monks' cells and gardens, across the Rhone.

What to see in Avignon, area by area?

The Papal Palace and the Rocher des Doms

The Papal Palace is toured with an augmented-reality tablet, the Histopad, which recreates the furnished rooms; allow two hours for the twenty-five open spaces. Just above, the Rocher des Doms garden gives the best view over the Rhone, the Barthelasse island and Mont Ventoux. The combined ticket with the Saint-Benezet bridge saves a few euros. Arrive at opening, around 9 am: groups pour into the main courtyard by mid-morning.

Inside the walls: squares, lanes and museums

The historic centre fits within its ramparts and is crossed on foot in twenty minutes. Place de l'Horloge holds the terraces and the municipal theatre, Place Pie the covered market with its plant wall, open Tuesday to Sunday until 2 pm. Rue des Teinturiers, cobbled and lined with plane trees, runs along a canal with its old waterwheels. The Petit Palais museum, free, shows a collection of Italian primitives rare outside Italy.

Villeneuve-les-Avignon

Across the Rhone, Villeneuve was the town of the cardinals. You reach it on foot over the Pont Daladier in twenty minutes, or by shuttle. The Val de Benediction charterhouse, one of the largest in France, the Philippe le Bel tower and Fort Saint-Andre can be seen in half a day. The tower offers the finest panorama of Avignon and its palace, especially late afternoon when the stone turns gold.

The Festival and cultural life

Every July, the Avignon Festival takes over the palace's main courtyard for the official In, while the Off turns 130 venues into stages and covers the walls with posters. The city is then packed: book accommodation by winter and expect doubled prices. Outside the festival, the Lambert Collection of contemporary art, the opera and the many theatres keep the scene alive all year, at far gentler rates.

Around Avignon: the Pont du Gard, the Luberon and the Alpilles

Avignon is the best base for Provence. The Pont du Gard, a UNESCO-listed Roman aqueduct, is 45 minutes away by bus. The Luberon villages (Gordes, Roussillon and its ochre trail) need a car and a full day. The Alpilles, with Les Baux and Saint-Remy, are 30 minutes away. Lavender flowers only from mid-June to mid-July. To the south, Marseille is 35 minutes by TGV, an easy stop to extend a stay in southern France.

Avignon in pictures

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Frequently asked questions about Avignon

How many days do you need in Avignon?
Two days cover the Papal Palace, the bridge, the walled town and Villeneuve. A third and fourth day allow the Pont du Gard, the Luberon and the Alpilles. Outside July, a long weekend comfortably covers the city and one nearby site.
Should you visit Avignon during the Festival?
The Festival, all of July, offers a unique atmosphere but a packed, hot and expensive city, with lodging to be booked six months ahead. To see the monuments in peace, prefer May, June, September or October.
How do you get to the Pont du Gard from Avignon?
The regional bus links Avignon to the Pont du Gard in about 45 minutes, with several departures a day. By car, allow 30 minutes. The site is reached from both banks; the ticket includes the museum and parking.
Can you visit Avignon without a car?
Yes for the city, fully pedestrian within its walls, and for the Pont du Gard by bus. The Luberon and Alpilles villages, however, are poorly served: you need a car, an organised tour, or a bike for the Alpilles.
Where do you park in Avignon inside the walls?
Parking is very limited and paid within the ramparts. The free lots on the Ile Piot and Ile de la Barthelasse, linked to the centre by a river shuttle or bus, are the simplest option in high season.
What can you see around Avignon in one day?
Take your pick: the Pont du Gard and Uzes, the hilltop Luberon villages, the Alpilles with Les Baux and Saint-Remy, or the Chateauneuf-du-Pape vineyards and Orange. Each of these tours fits in a day from Avignon.
Can you actually visit the bridge of Avignon?
Yes, you can walk onto the four remaining arches and the Saint-Nicolas chapel from the Rocher gate. The visit is short, ten to fifteen minutes, and the bridge is seen just as well, or better, for free from the Rocher des Doms or Villeneuve.

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