Avignon Travel Guide
Avignon is the main city of the Vaucluse department and is one of the most famous cities in France. Not because it is a stunning place but because everybody at school learnt a song where we are all dancing on the Avignon’s bridge. To be honest, before visiting Avignon, we also didn’t really know how beautiful the city was and why there was such a song.
But to be honest, Avignon is one of our favourite cities in France and in this Avignon Travel Guide you will discover why.
Avignon is not a metropole but it a middle size city in France with around 94 000 inhabitants making it a cool place to visit and a not too crowded place.
The city is also nicknamed the “City of Popes” because of the presence of popes from 1309 to 1423. And what’s made this place on our top cities in France is the old town. Surrounded by great ramparts, stunning old stones architectures and breath-taking spots.
Table of Contents
Mapping the day
Getting there
The easiest way to reach the city is either by car or by train. With 2 Train stations (TGV station and Center station) it is quite easy to reach. The fastest is by TGV from Paris, it takes 2h40 from Paris Gare de Lyon, or 3h from Charles de Gaulle Airport.
But if you are in the region, Lyon is 1h TGV away and Marseille is 30min away.
Once in the train stations, there is a shuttle bus that connects Avignon TGV station to Avignon center station in 4 minutes.
Moving Around
Once you are in the city center of the Avignon, you can do all the attraction of the city on foot. But for some nearby one, you will need to use either the public transportation (tram and bus) or rent a bike. Unless you are with your car, in which case, it will be pretty easy.
When to Visit
Avignon is a city in South of France located within land. The weather is year-round good. With average temperature from 11 to 31°C.
The best months to visit the city are Mai, June, September when the weather is the best and yet not too hot. July, August are the local summer holidays making them a good month to travel as well but it will be more crowded and warmer.
Where to Stay
We found this great little Airbnb near the old city. A top place to stay. Comfortable and well equipped. Located 5 min walking from the old city. Only one little comment would be that with a car you will have to use street parking. So, you may turn a while before finding a spot nearby.
What to Eat
The local dishes are :
- The Papaline d’Avignon is a small thistle, made of two thin chocolate dresses holding Comtat oregano liqueur. It was named in memory of the popes of Avignon, but its creation dates back only to 1960
- Papeton d’eggplant is a dish specific to the city of Avignon. It is presented in the form of a side dish made with eggplant caviar and eggs.
- L’Anis Pernod : Local alcohol based on Anis.
- The bohémienne is sometimes confused with the ratatouille, which requires several vegetables. This dish is made only with eggplant and tomatoes cut into pieces and fried in olive oil.
Things to do Avignon
Palais des Papes
The Palace of the Popes in Avignon is the largest of the Gothic buildings of the Middle Ages. Both a fortress and a palace, the papal residence was during the XIVᵉ century the seat of Western Christendom. It cost 12€ per person to access it but it is totally worth it. You will get an audio guide with a tablet that allows you to see how the building was back in the days in 3D through the tablet
Avignon Cathedral
Avignon Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located next to the Palais des Papes. The cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Avignon and is a Romanesque building, constructed primarily in the second half of the 12th century.
From the Palace of the Popes, take the stairs toward the Doms Garden and stop to visit this nice cathedral.
Jardin des Doms
Located next to the cathedral, the Doms Garden is a beautiful place pocated on the Rocher des Doms. A perfect place to relax a bit under the shade of trees and to admire the Avignon’s Bridge and some breathing landscape.
Pont d'Avignon
The Saint-Bénézet bridge, commonly called Pont d’Avignon, is a vestige of a bridge over the Rhône river composed of four arches. It starts from the north of Avignon in the direction of the Gard but does not allow to go there anymore. On one of the pillars is built the Saint-Bénézet chapel, and above it, the Saint-Nicolas chapel?
The bridge used to be a complete bridge but over time was destroyed by the rivers. Regarding the famous song, actually we never danced on the bridge but under it.
We also were surprised because this attraction is not free.
ile de la Barthelasse
Located within the Rhöne river between Avignon and Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, this island is one of the top spot to admire the city of Avignon. You can start at “Parking de l’ile de la Barthelasse” and walk along the “Chemin des Bergers” to get some amazing views of the city.
Basilique Saint-Pierre
While strolling around the old city of Avignon, you can make a quick stop to visit the Catholique Gothic church built in 1358.
Remparts d'Avignon
The walls of Avignon are a series of defensive stone walls that surround the city. They were originally built in the 14th century during the Avignon papacy and have been continually rebuilt and repaired throughout their subsequent history.
Those walls are stunning and are completely surrounding the old city. You can enjoy walking along them or a while before entering the old city.
Rue des Teinturiers
The Rue des Teinturiers is a picturesque, cobblestone street that follows the small channel of the Sorgue from the Rue des Lices all the way to the city walls. This cute street is covered of shade by the trees on its side and present watermills.
Musée Du Petit Palais
We personally didn’t have time to visit it, but it is one of the best museums in town. The Petit Palais Museum in Avignon, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, is a museum dedicated to medieval and early Renaissance painting and sculpture, bringing together some 390 paintings and 600 sculptures.
Musée Calvet
And again, something we didn’t do but that could be on your list. Well, at least walk around it to admire its architecture. The Calvet Museum is the main museum in Avignon. It is housed, for its fine arts section, in a listed 18thᵉ century mansion.
Bonus: Flea Market
And if you are there on the weekend, explore the local flea market. That was something amazing. You can not only see local going on with their daily life, but the market has some amazing stuff to buy. We particularly loved the olive trees woodcarver and its realisation. Best souvenir ever.
Things to do Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
Located 10min away by car, 40min walking and 15min by buses. Villeneuve-lès-Avignon is a medieval city dominated by the imposing Fort Saint-André, which stands atop a hill and has well-preserved 14th century ramparts. The Carthusian monastery of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon houses peaceful cloisters and an art center. Religious works of art are on display in the Pierre-de-Luxembourg Museum. A market and flea market are held on Saturdays, where you can find antiques and food products. Delicatessens and open-air Provencal brasseries line the cobblestone streets.
Tips: there is an amazing bakery called “la magie des pains” in town.
Fort Saint-André
For the 4 attractions to see in town, you can buy one ticket that will give you access to all. The Fort was the main defence of the city. Now you can visit it, walk on its ramparts, and explore its tower.
Abbey St. Andrew
Also located within the fort, but own by a private person, the Abbey is located within a beautiful garden where you can walk around, learn about flowers, and enjoy some stunning views.
Tour Philippe-le-Bel
Standing tall like a sentinel at the entrance to the town of Villeneuve-les-Avignon, the tower was built between 1292 and 1307 on orders from King Philip the Fair, who sought to impose respect from neighbouring Avignon. The tower has three levels, each with lovely rooms with vaulted ceilings, so be ready for some stairs!!! The best part being the rooftop view of course
Chartreuse Notre-Dame-du-Val-de-Bénédiction
To finish your stay in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and before just hanging around, a visit to this monastery is a must. It is the biggest Chartreuse meaning the biggest monastery from the Chartreux order. This building can be entirely visited.
Things to do Châteauneuf-du-Pape
If you have a spare day or are by car, we would strongly advice to make a little stop in the beautiful village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Stroll around town and walk up to an amazing viewpoint.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is also a vineyard town and is famous for the quality of its products!
Itinerary
Day 1:
- Palais des Papes
- Avignon Cathedral
- Jardin des Doms
- Pont d’Avignon
Day 2 :
- ile de la Barthelasse
- Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
- Fort Saint-André
- Abbey St. Andrew
- Chartreuse Notre-Dame-du-Val-de-Bénédiction
- Tour Philippe-le-Bel
Day 3 :
- Basilique Saint-Pierre
- Musée Calvet
- Remparts d’Avignon
- Rue des Teinturiers
- Musée Du Petit Palais
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape
La vérité vaut bien qu’on passe quelques années sans la trouver. -Jules Renard
“Truth is more valuable if it takes you a few years to find it.”
