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About Avignon
Avignon is a walled city on the Rhône in the Vaucluse department of Provence, famous as the seat of the popes from 1309 to 1377. The Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace in Europe, the broken Pont Saint-Bénézet of the song 'Sur le pont d'Avignon', and 4.3 km of medieval ramparts form a UNESCO World Heritage historic centre. Today it is a lively university and arts city: the Festival d'Avignon fills the streets with theatre every July, Les Halles market sells Provençal produce daily except Monday, and the Rocher des Doms gardens overlook the river. Trains reach Arles, Nîmes and Orange in under 30 minutes, making it a base for the Pont du Gard, Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine villages and the Luberon.
- Capital
- Paris (national capital); Marseille is the regional capital of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur; Avignon is the prefecture of Vaucluse
- Largest city
- Marseille (largest city of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur); Avignon has about 90,000 residents in the commune and over 300,000 in its urban area
- Population
- About 90,000-92,000 (commune of Avignon, recent INSEE estimates)
- Languages
- French
- Currency
- Euro
- Time zone
- Europe/Paris (UTC+1, summer UTC+2 CEST)
Explore Avignon by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Avignon
The 12 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Pont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d'Avignon)
Rocher des Doms
Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms
Musée du Petit Palais
Collection Lambert
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Avignon Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Avignon, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Avignon
- Days 1-2Avignon city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Avignon
- Days 1-3Avignon comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Avignon, departure
Where to stay in Avignon
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget EUR 65-138 (~$75-159)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range EUR 168-300 (~$193-345)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury EUR 470-1,400+ (~$540-1,610+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
La Mirande
Cardinal's townhouse behind the Palais des Papes with antique-filled rooms, a garden, a cooking school and a tea salon.
Check rates on Booking.comHôtel d'Europe
Sixteenth-century mansion beside the Rhône ramparts, Avignon's grande dame hotel, with a garden terrace restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comCloître Saint-Louis Hôtel Avignon
Converted Jesuit cloister with a 1950s annex by Jean-Pierre Pouillon, a pool in the courtyard and a garden.
Check rates on Booking.comMercure Avignon Centre Palais des Papes
Chain hotel a few steps from the Palais des Papes with air-conditioned rooms and a breakfast buffet.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Avignon
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
La Mirande
Hiély-Lucullus
La Fourchette
Sevin
Numéro 75
Le Goût du Jour
Book a food tour in Avignon We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Avignon
Transportation options in Avignon include local buses, taxis, and rental cars. Check local conditions before planning your travel.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in EUR, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | EUR 45-80 (~$52-92) | EUR 100-160 (~$115-184) | EUR 250-600+ (~$288-690+) |
| Food (per day) | EUR 20-32 (~$23-37) | EUR 45-75 (~$52-86) | EUR 120-300+ (~$138-345+) |
| Transportation | EUR 0-6 (~$0-7) | EUR 3-20 (~$3-23) | EUR 40-200 (~$46-230) |
| Activities | EUR 0-20 (~$0-23) | EUR 20-45 (~$23-52) | EUR 60-300+ (~$69-345+) |
| Daily total | EUR 65-138 (~$75-159) | EUR 168-300 (~$193-345) | EUR 470-1,400+ (~$540-1,610+) |
Best time to visit Avignon
Weather through the year in France
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for France.
Late spring and early autumn bring warm sun, open terraces and manageable crowds.
Avignon has a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers, mild winters and sharp autumn downpours. The mistral, a cold northerly wind, can blow for days in any season and clears the sky. In July the three-week theatre festival fills most hotels, so book months ahead (festival-avignon.com).
Essential travel tips
- Book hotels far ahead for the Festival d'Avignon (July); the three-week event doubles rates.
- Buy the combined Palais des Papes and Pont d'Avignon ticket to save a few euros over separate entries.
- Visit Les Halles d'Avignon market (Tuesday to Sunday mornings, closed Monday) before 10:00 for the best choice.
- Walk the ramparts and cross to Île de la Barthelasse at sunset for the classic view of the city.
- Use the TER train for day trips to Arles, Nîmes and Orange; Zou! regional buses reach the Luberon villages.
- Carry a jacket in any season: the mistral wind can drop temperatures sharply.
Safety information
Keep phones, passports and wallets in zipped inner pockets or a cross-body bag worn in front around Place de l'Horloge, Rue de la République, Les Halles and Gare d'Avignon-Centre.
Do not leave valuables in parked cars or on café tables.
Drink water often and avoid the midday sun in July and August.
Do not swim in the Rhône; use a pool or the nearby Gorges de l'Ardèche for supervised water activities.
Respect wildfire restrictions and keep to marked paths in the dry season.
Use official taxis (rank at Gare d'Avignon-Centre) or apps late at night.
Emergency numbers: 112 (all emergencies), 17 (police), 15 (ambulance), 18 (fire).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Avignon?
Entry follows France/Schengen rules. EU citizens need only a national ID card or passport; visitors from many non-EU countries may stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 days; others need a Schengen visa. Check france-visas.gouv.fr.
How many days do you need in Avignon?
Two days cover the Palais des Papes, Pont d'Avignon, ramparts and Les Halles; three to five days allow day trips to Arles, Nîmes, Orange, the Pont du Gard and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
How much is the Palais des Papes ticket?
The 2026 adult ticket is about EUR 14.50 (~$17) for the palace alone and about EUR 17 (~$20) combined with the Pont d'Avignon; confirm current prices at palais-des-papes.com.
When is the Festival d'Avignon?
The Festival d'Avignon runs for about three weeks every July (4-25 July in 2026), with the larger Festival Off running alongside. Hotels are scarce and prices rise, so book months ahead.
What is the best way to get to Avignon?
By train: TGV from Paris takes about 2 hours 45 minutes to Avignon TGV, then a short shuttle train to Gare d'Avignon-Centre. From Marseille Provence Airport, take a coach or a train via Marseille Saint-Charles.