Avignon travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Avignon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Avignon.
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- family-friendly leisure lake, calm and sheltered
- Pebble beach
- Supervised swimming zone in summer with lifeguards (confirm days and hours at lacdemonteux.fr)
- Pedalos, kayaks and paddleboards
- Snack bar and play areas
Lac de Monteux
Editor’s tip. Confirm lifeguard days and hours at lacdemonteux.fr before travelling, as supervision is seasonal.
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- relaxed river village, paddlers and picnickers
- Pebble river bank
- Canoe hire (Kayak Vert)
- Cafés in the village
- Unsupervised swimming - water level varies
Gardon river beach at Collias
Editor’s tip. Swimming is unsupervised, so check the river level and current before entering.
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- scenic heritage setting, sightseers and picnickers
- Pebble and rock river bank by the Roman bridge
- Marked bathing area on the left bank in summer (confirm at the site)
- Cafés and picnic areas
- Site parking fee applies
Gardon swimming area at Pont du Gard
Editor’s tip. Confirm which bathing zones are open at the site before entering the water.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Avignon memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Swimming season runs roughly June to mid-September. Avignon itself has no sea beach; the nearest coast (Camargue and Fos) is 80 to 100 km away.
Transport
A car is the simplest way to reach any of these sites. The Gardon sites are in Gard (Occitanie), west of the city.
Cost
Access to the Monteux lake shore and Gardon river banks is free apart from parking (about EUR 5-9 or ~$6-10) and activity hire.
Booking
No booking is needed for swimming. Reserve canoes in July and August.
Private Beaches
Accessibility
The Monteux lake has the most level access; Gardon banks are pebbles and rock with no ramps.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Avignon’s coast.
Is swimming supervised at Lac de Monteux?
Supervised swimming with lifeguards runs in summer, mainly July to early September. Days and hours change, so check lacdemonteux.fr before visiting.
From the Lac de Monteux editorial.
Is the beach sand or pebbles?
The beach is pebbles. Water shoes make walking into the lake more comfortable, especially for children.
From the Lac de Monteux editorial.
Is swimming safe at Collias?
Swimming is unsupervised and the river level varies. Visitors should check conditions locally and avoid entering after heavy rain.
From the Gardon river beach at Collias editorial.
Can canoes be hired in Collias?
Yes, Kayak Vert is listed for canoe and kayak hire. Confirm prices and booking details with the operator.
From the Gardon river beach at Collias editorial.
Can visitors swim at the Pont du Gard?
A marked bathing area on the left bank is described for summer. Confirm open zones and any supervision at the site.
From the Gardon swimming area at Pont du Gard editorial.
How far is it from Avignon?
About 27 km west, roughly 35 minutes by car. An Edgard bus line is listed in summer, but verify the timetable.
From the Gardon swimming area at Pont du Gard editorial.