The walled city where the popes lived in the 14th century: the vast Palais des Papes and the half-bridge of the Pont Saint-Bénézet. Avignon TGV station is 2 h 40 from Paris, which makes the city the base for Provence: Arles, the Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the Luberon hill villages are all within an hour. In July the Festival d'Avignon fills every hall and hotel.
Highlights
- Palais des Papes
- Pont d'Avignon
- Rocher des Doms gardens
- Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine
- Les Halles food market
- Festival d'Avignon in July
Things to do
- Palais des PapesMorning · 2h 30m
- Pont Saint-Bénézet and the Rocher des DomsAfternoon · 1h 30m
- Pont du Gard half-dayMorning · 4h
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tastingAfternoon · 3h
- Les Halles market lunchMorning · 1h 30m
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: April – June, September – October
Worth knowing
Festival d'Avignon: City Fully Booked
The theatre festival takes over Avignon for three weeks in July. Rooms sell out months ahead at double the price; book early, or stay in Arles or Nîmes and come in by train.
Heads up
Provence Heat
Inland Provence often passes 35 °C in July and August: sightsee in the morning and evening, and check that the room has air-conditioning.
- Festival d'Avignon — Three weeks of theatre in July: the official festival in the Palais des Papes' courtyard and over a thousand fringe ("Off") shows in every hall. The whole city is booked; rooms cost double or more, so book months ahead or stay in Arles or Nîmes.