A small and charming medieval town in Northern Provence on the left bank of the Rhone River, with a beautifully preserved old town (intra-muros quarter) surrounded by medieval walls. Avignon is famous for being the center of Christianity in the 14th century when seven successive popes resided in Avignon, controlling the town until the 18th century. The main attractions of Avignon are its charming old town, the 14th century impressive Palais des Papes, the Avignon cathedral, and the famous Pont d’Avignon Medieval bridge.
Stroll the streets of the old town starting at the charming central square, Place de l’Horloge, with its shading trees, cafes and restaurants, the neoclassical town hall, and the 14th century clock tower. South of the square walk the Rue de la Republique, the town’s main avenue, the pedestrian area west of the avenue, the streets surrounding the Place de l’Horloge, and the nearby Palais des Papes, to window shop the numerous boutiques, local small shops, and art galleries.
At the Place du Palais, visit the beautiful 12th century Romanesque Cathedrale Notre Dame des Doms, the 14th century Gothic Eglise Saint-Pierre (church) with its impressive sculptures and beautiful paintings, and the Romanesque Eglise Saint Didier with its 14th century paintings.
Visit the charming Rocher des Doms Park offering beautiful panoramic scenery of Avignon and the Rohn River.
Known for being a center of art and culture, visit The Museum of the Small Palace (Musee du Petit Palais) near the Palais des Papes, the Musee Calvet, and the other beautiful private collections based museums all housed within beautiful period buildings.
Try to synchronize your visit in town to one of many festivals such as the famous July Festival d’Avignon, with its diversified cultural program, the August Jazz Festival, the September Medieval Festival (Medievales des Carmes), and the traditional Christmas Market in December, among others.
Take a tour in one of the surrounding Cotes du Rhone vineyards and consider a popular river cruise on the Rohne in one of the numerous active river boat hotels. For more information about Avignon and what it has to offer visit the Avignon Tourist Office at the Southern end of Rue de la Republique.
To access Avignon, you can drive from Nice or Cannes in the French Riviera, through the beautiful Verdon Gorge, or by train from Paris or Marseille.
Pont Du Gard Aqueduct
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
Gordes
Visit Avignon for 1-2 days or consider making Avignon your travel hub in Provence, visiting the towns, villages, and attractions surrounding Avignon.
TheTjoy.com recommends visiting the following surrounding destinations including;
- Travel north out of town, spending 2-3 days visiting Chateauneuf du Pape wine region, the picturesque town of Vaison-la-Romaine and its impressive Roman ruins, and La Caverne du Pont-d’Arc, Chauvet 2. The Chauvet Cave replica present the amazing best preserved figurative Paleolithic cave paintings in the world, and its adjacent impressive cave systems.
- To the South visit the highly popular Les Baux-de-Provence, a charming Medieval mountain top village and its famous 11th century Coteaux-des-Baux fortress.
- To the west visit the beautifully preserved Renaissance town Uzes and the famous Pont du Gard Aqueduct.
- To the east visit the beautiful Luberon region famous for its outstanding natural beauty, and the traditional picturesque Medieval hilltop villages.
- Further away South and Southwest, consider visiting the historic towns of Arles, and Nimes.
