WHAT TO DO IN AVIGNON : 7 THINGS YOU CAN’T MISS

Often overlooked in favour of the South of France’s glamorous Cannes or multicultural Marseille, Avignon is a city unlike any other. Set along the banks of the Rhône River, this former papal seat was home to seven popes during the 14th century — a legacy still visible in its breathtaking Gothic architecture, at the heart of which stands the monumental Palais des Papes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city brims with culture, showcased in its many historical & art museums, and every summer the Festival d’Avignon fills its streets with life, energy, and creativity, transforming it into one of the world’s largest and most inspiring performing arts celebrations.

If you’re visiting Avignon soon, here are 5 of my favorite things to do in Avignon, whether you’re here for a day or a weekend getaway

GETTING TO AVIGNON

• By train : trains are departing every 30 minutes from Marseille to Avignon. It can takes 30 minutes to 1h30 depending if you choose a fast train or a regular one. From Paris you will reach Avignon train station in about 3 hours. Buy your train ticket on the SNCF platform.
• By bus : just a few buses are liking Avignon from Marseille so better take the train. However the city is more accessible from Paris, with a stopover in Lyon (10h travel time) with Flixbus.
• By plane : Marseille Provence domestic & international airport is 1h away

Get lost in the Palais des Papes

PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS

• Opening hours : from 9h to 19h (high season) or 10h to 17h (low season).
• Prices : Palais only 12€, Palais & Gardens 14,5€, Full ticket (Palais, Gardens & Pont d’Avignon) 17€

In the 14th century, the papacy established its pontifical residence in Avignon, making the city the seat of Catholicism during the medieval era. The Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic building of the Middle Ages, was the seat of the papacy. It took nearly 30 years to build and is composed of two distinct sections: the Old Palace and the New Palace, erected in the 14th century by two successive popes.

There are 25 rooms to explore during your visit. Allow about two hours to tour the palace using the Histopad — an interactive tablet guide synchronized with each room you enter. It provides digital reconstructions showing what the palace looked like at its peak. Although the device can feel a little bulky (especially since most information is also displayed on panels), it offers a vivid and immersive experience that’s particularly appealing to younger visitors. Among the most impressive rooms are the Pope’s Bedroom, with its richly detailed white-background decorations, and the Chambre du Cerf, once the Pope’s private study, adorned with elegant frescoes painted by Italian masters. The palace gardens are also a haven of peace, home to bees and a wide variety of plants typical of Provence.

Visit the Free Museums of Avignon

It’s a rare thing for a city of this size, so it’s worth noting that Avignon’s municipal museums are free for everybody. There are 5 of them, spread throughout the city. If you only have a day to visit, you probably won’t be able to see them all, but you can choose the ones that appeal to you most:

• The Palais du Roure | Housed in a former private mansion topped with a magnificent oak-branch sculpture, this palace offers a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in Mediterranean culture.
• The Petit Palais Museum | Just a few steps away from the Palais des Papes, this museum presents an exceptional collection by school & periods of Italian paintings dating from the 13th to the 16th century —including The Virgin and Child, a masterpiece by the young Botticelli, one of the great masters of the Florentine Renaissance. With over 300 masterpieces by more than 130 artists, it is one of the most important collections of early Italian art outside the Louvre. The museum staff are very welcoming and always happy to answer your questions.
• The Lapidaire Museum | Housed in a 17th-century former Jesuit chapel — showcases a fascinating collection of ancient artefacts and sculptures, ranging from relics of Avignon’s antiquity to Egyptian funerary stelae and Greco-Roman theatre masks.
• The Requien Natural History Museum | It explores the flora and fauna of the Vaucluse, from prehistoric times onwards, through a collection of over a million items.
• The Calvet Luseum | Often recommended as a must-see for its comprehensive and well-organised layout, it is named after the physician who gathered an impressive array of artworks — a remarkably rich collection of sculptures, goldsmith pieces, faience, and French, Italian, and Flemish paintings, featuring renowned artists such as David, Vigée-Lebrun, and Joseph Vernet, the famous painter from Avignon.

Have a stroll in the old town

Avignon is a beautiful city with a perfectly preserved historic centre surrounded by impressive 4-kilometre-long medieval walls built over 600 years ago. Don’t miss le Rocher des Doms, a lovely English-style garden perched 30 metres above the Rhône and overlooking the Palais des Papes, it’s the perfect spot to relax and take in a panoramic view of the old town, its monuments, and the landscapes stretching all the way to Mont Ventoux. (Currently under restoration until 2027.)

At the heart of the city lies La Place de l’Horloge, full of life and surrounded by café and restaurant terraces. From there, wander down Rue de la République, Avignon’s main street, filled with shops and elegant façades. For souvenirs, don’t miss the ones selling Provencal specialities (Fragonard for perfume, Souleiado for fashion made in Provence, l’Occitane en Provence that I don’t need to introduce and a chocolate lovers’ favorite Aline Géhant Chocolatier).

Try Avignon Culinaries Specialities

For lunch and dinner, Avignon is a wonderful culinary scene in Provence, with no shortage of choices. Be sure to try Tapenade, an olive purée with capers, anchovies and olive oil, perfect for an aperitif, Fougasse, a Provençal bread made with olive oil, Daube Provençale, a beef stew simmered slowly in red wine, and other à la carte specialities accompanied by the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a rich red wine grown near Avignon. For a sweet taste, try a few Papaline, chocolate sweets with oregano liqueur, or Provençal nougat.

Here are a few spots where you can taste the flavours of Provence :

• La Mirande : a Michelin-starred restaurant housed in a sumptuous 13th-century building, offers bold and committed cuisine made with local produce and subtle combinations that tell the story of Provence through the plate. The four-course menu starts at 60€.
• L’Epicerie de Ginette : for a quick bite without compromising on flavour, it offers counter service with its famous generous hot or cold toasts, traditional soups and homemade desserts in a 1940s bistro setting. Enjoy your meal on the terrace in the shade of the plane trees in summer. Toasts from €6.
• Première édition: in the remains of an old bookshop, you’ll find a characterful canteen with an open kitchen focusing on local produce, a harmonious blend of Provençal and other influences. Lunch menu with starter, main course and dessert for 25€.

Take a walk on the Pont d’Avignon

You might have heard of the famous french song ‘Sur le pont d’Avignon’ invented during the 15th century, and during your visit there, you’ll probably hear people (both French and foreigner) humming it & singing it. It goes like this :

Sur le pont d’Avignon
l’on y danse, l’on y danse.
Sur le pont d’Avignon
l’on y danse tous en rond.

If you happen to be in Avignon and have some time to spare, it is worth visiting the bridge. From here, you not only have a wonderful view of the Papal Palace and the old town, but you can also learn more about the history of the bridge’s construction, its use and the famous song that made it famous. According to legend, a young shepherd named Bénezet heard voices in 1771 commanding him to build a bridge over the Rhône to connect Avignon with Villeneuve-les-Avignon, the town on the opposite side. An angel led him to the spot where it was to be built. Ridiculed by the authorities, Bénézet still gathered the people and in 8 years the bridge was built. Restored several times, it was finally destroyed by the floods of the Rhône in the 17th century. And since, the bridge of Avignon is incomplete.

Explore the Charm of Villeneuve-les-Avignon

Speaking of Villeneuve-les-Avignon, this charmant town is just across the Rhône River and can be reached by bus (line 5), bike or car in less than ten minutes. The city was once a royal stronghold founded by King Philip the Fair, with Fort Saint-André built in the 12th century to assert France’s authority over the papacy established across the river in Avignon. Controlling access to the famous Pont d’Avignon, the fortress stands as a remarkable example of 14th-century French military architecture. Today, you can climb its ramparts for panoramic views (€7 entry) over the valley & Avignon. Beyond the fortress, the town is home to a rich architectural and cultural heritage, with the Saint-André Abbey & it’s remarkable garden, the impressive Carthusian Monastery & the old town with it’s Provençal way of life.

Take the Free Boat to the other side of Avignon

To end the day, why not treat yourself to a sunset view from the other side of Avignon? Take the free river shuttle from the Quai de la Ligne, at the foot of the Pont d’Avignon, to the Ile de la Barthelasse, Europe’s largest river island. Once on the island, you can cycle along the 13 km paths, relax by theriver stroll along the way of the Halage, which offers exceptional views of the Pont d’Avignon, the Rocher des Doms, and the Palais des Papes

The boat shuttle runs from February to December, departing every 15 minutes from 11am to 9pm in summer. For up-to-date timetables, visit the website of Avignon tourism office.

WHERE TO STAY IN AVIGNON

If you’re planning to visit Avignon in July, be prepared for higher prices and limited availability, as the city comes alive for its month-long festival. Outside this period, securing a place a week ahead is usually enough to find accommodation that suits your needs. Here are some of the most beloved places to stay in Avignon (& surroundings)

HIGH-END – La Mirande | Step back in time to the 18th century when you walk through the doors of La Mirande, a 5 stars boutique hotel where sparkling chandeliers and period draperies create a setting worthy of the most beautiful historic residences. Mere steps from the Palais des Papes, this patrician house has been restored with remarkable attention to detail, revealing all the refinement of its heritage. Each room has its own carefully designed universe, while the gourmet restaurant and cooking school invite you to discover the iconic flavors of Provence. From 300€.

MID-RANGE – Bastille de Bellegarde | Nestled in the heart of Barthelasse Island—Europe’s largest river island—this gem offers a peaceful retreat just a 5 minutes boat ride from the vibrant heart of Avignon. Here, the soothing landscape, the discreet charm of the residence, and the attentive welcome of the host create a deeply intimate atmosphere to feel at ease. With only 5 suites, each designed to prioritize privacy and a truly personalized experience, the place cultivates a rare and precious hospitality. Starting at 200€.

VALUE- La Magnaneraie | this establishment owes its name to its unique past : formerly dedicated to silkworm breeding, the property was transformed into a vineyard in the 20th century before embracing a new life as a hotel half a century ago. Today, its 32 rooms and suites welcome those seeking a warm break at the gates of the City of Popes. Framed in the heart of a Mediterranean garden and featuring a beautiful swimming pool, La Magnaneraie cultivates the Provençal art of living, where it is good to take your time. From 80€.