Fernweh: Home
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAll highlightsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    • Neighborhoods & highlights
    • Walking tours
    • Eat & drink
    • Food culture
    • Culture
    • Nightlife
    • Getting around
    • Accommodation
    • Plan trip
    • Nearby
    Avignon

    France

    Avignon

    CityCulture

    Historical Avignon in Provence is inextricably linked to its time as a papal seat in the 14th century. Its imposing city walls enclose an Old Town that is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. France
    7. Provence
    9. Avignon
    Historical Avignon in Provence is inextricably linked to its time as a papal seat in the 14th century. Its imposing city walls enclose an Old Town that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will be particularly impressed by the Palais des Papes, Europe's largest Gothic palace, and the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet bridge, known as the Pont d'Avignon. Stroll through the narrow streets and bustling squares to experience the city's authentic flair. From the Rocher des Doms rock, you can also enjoy a wide view over the city and the Rhône. For a more relaxed experience, a visit in spring or autumn is recommended to avoid the summer heat and peak tourist crowds.

    Sights in Avignon

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Basilique Saint-Pierre

    1Basilique Saint-Pierre

    The Basilique Saint-Pierre in Avignon's Old Town was built from 1358 on the site of one of the city's oldest churches. Its late Gothic facade already displays early Renaissance motifs, and an octagonal tower stands beside it. Famous are the approximately four-meter-high walnut doors, carved by Antoine Volard in 1551; they depict the Annunciation, Saint Jerome, and Saint Julian. Inside, you'll find altars and chapels with paintings and sculptures spanning several centuries. Since 2012, the church has held the title of a basilica.Our Tip: The church is usually quieter than the city's major attractions, and the light inside is most beautiful in the morning.
    Open in Google Maps
    Papstpalast

    2Papstpalast

    Papstpalast, einst in Konkurrenz zum Vatikan stehend, mit 25 offenen Räumen, Fresken & Kulturveranstaltungen.
    Open in Google Maps
    Musée Calvet

    3Musée Calvet

    Esprit Calvets Sammlung mit ägyptischen, griechischen und römischen Artefakten, archäologischen Funden und europäischen Gemälden.
    Open in Google Maps
    Musée Lapidaire

    4Musée Lapidaire

    The Musée Lapidaire is a department of the Musée Calvet and is located in the baroque chapel of the former 17th-century Jesuit College on Rue de la République. The archaeological collection features sculptures, reliefs, funerary steles, inscriptions, and sarcophagi from Egypt, Greece, Etruria, and Rome, as well as from Roman and early Christian Gaul. Its most famous piece is the Celtic Tarasque of Noves. The high church interior provides an impressive setting for the stones. Our Tip: Pay attention to the Roman funerary steles and the early Christian sarcophagi. It's quietest on weekday mornings.
    Open in Google Maps
    The Hill of Mourgues

    5The Hill of Mourgues

    The Colline des Mourgues is an approximately seven-hectare hill park in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, located on the right bank of the Rhône, opposite Avignon. Walking paths lead to the remains of the Petite Chartreuse, a hermitage with the rock-hewn tomb of the city's last Carthusian monk, and up to the Chapel Notre-Dame de Consolation. From the top, you'll see Villeneuve, the Rhône, and Avignon with its Popes' Palace. There's a playground, picnic areas, and an open-air theatre. Our Tip: Combine your visit to the park with a trip to Fort Saint-André and the Chartreuse in Villeneuve; the late afternoon light over Avignon is truly stunning.
    Open in Google Maps

    City walks in Avignon

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Avignon en Scène: A Journey Through the Theater City and Art Quarters

    Discover Avignon's vibrant art and theater scene beyond the Papal walls. This walk takes you to historic venues, renowned museums and hidden lanes that fill the city with cultural life during the famous Festival d'Avignon and beyond. Experience the modern and artistic heart of the city.

    ~2 Std. 30 Min.
    Open in Google Maps
    Stops (8)

    Food & Drink

    Le Palais Royal

    Bar in 10 Rue de la Peyrolerie.
    Show on Google Maps

    MAISON ORSINI

    Stilvolles B&B in einem Gebäude aus dem 14. Jahrhundert mit Garten, Restaurant und Außenpool.
    Show on Google Maps

    Rossini Sandwicherie

    Restaurant in 4 Rue Félix Gras.
    Show on Google Maps

    La Fourchette

    Restaurant in 17 Rue Racine.
    Show on Google Maps

    Restaurant L'Épicerie

    Einfache, traditionelle französische Küche in einem urigen Bistro mit Terrasse auf einem ruhigen Platz.
    Show on Google Maps
    1

    Restaurant SEVIN

    Lass dich von der gehobenen provenzalischen Küche dieses Sternekochs in einem wunderschönen Setting mit Blick auf den Papstpalast verzaubern.
    Show on Google Maps
    2

    Restaurant Fou de Fafa

    Lass dich in Avignon im 'Fou de Fafa' von kreativen mediterranen Gerichten und der herzlichen Atmosphäre verzaubern.
    Show on Google Maps

    Restaurant Maison de la Tour

    Restaurant in 9 Rue de la Tour.
    Show on Google Maps

    Food and Drink

    Avignon's cuisine is Provençal: rich in vegetables, olive oil, herbs, and fish from the Mediterranean. The Halles in the city center are the best place to start, as producers and chefs shop there side-by-side.

    Les Halles d'Avignon

    The market hall, with its ivy-clad facade, opens daily except Mondays in the morning. Besides stalls with cheese, fish, and vegetables, there are counters where you can eat directly.

    Wines of the Southern Rhône

    Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Tavel are all within 30 kilometers. Their red wines are predominantly Grenache-based, making them robust and spicy.

    Provençal Vegetable Kitchen

    Ratatouille, stuffed vegetables, and black olive tapenade are standard. In spring, asparagus and artichokes from the Comtat Venaissin are added.

    Papalines of Avignon

    Small pink pralines, filled with a liqueur made from Mont Ventoux herbs. They were invented in 1960 by Avignon confectioners and are a typical souvenir.

    Melon from Cavaillon

    The cantaloupe from nearby Cavaillon has been famous since the 19th century. From June to August, it's available in every local market.

    Avignon: Culture, Art & History

    Avignon is deeply embedded in the history of Provence and closely linked to the 14th-century Papacy. This period profoundly shaped the city, leading to the construction of imposing structures that still dominate its skyline today.Avignon's architectural centerpiece is the Palais des Papes, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This Gothic palace, once the papal residence, combines the characteristics of a fortress and a palace, bearing witness to the political and religious power of that era. Equally renowned is the Pont Saint-Bénézet, also known as the Pont d'Avignon, with only a few arches still extending into the river.Beyond these monuments, Avignon is renowned for its vibrant culture. The annual Festival d'Avignon, one of the world's oldest and largest theater festivals, transforms the city into a vibrant stage every summer. It highlights Avignon's role as a hub for contemporary art and tradition, while the Provençal way of life can be experienced through its local markets and regional cuisine.

    Nightlife

    Avignon's nights are just as charming as its days, offering a delightful blend of relaxed wine bars, lively pubs, and vibrant dance clubs. Most nightlife venues are concentrated in the historic old town, where visitors can find everything from intimate jazz sessions to exuberant parties.
    1

    YAKA Chanter

    Bar in 190 Rue de la Petite Verdette.
    Show on Google Maps
    2

    Le Palais Royal

    Bar in 10 Rue de la Peyrolerie.
    Show on Google Maps
    3

    Restaurant Bar à Vin Le 46

    Mediterrane Tapas und Hauptgerichte sowie eine umfangreiche Wein- und Champagnerkarte in lebhaftem Ambiente.
    Show on Google Maps
    4

    L'Explo

    Bar in 2 Rue des Teinturiers.
    Show on Google Maps
    5

    Chez Marie

    Bar in 4 Rue Louis Pasteur.
    Show on Google Maps
    6

    La Tonnelle

    Bar in 15 Av. Jules Ferry.
    Show on Google Maps

    Hôtel Le Prieuré Baumanière 5 étoiles Relais & Châteaux

    Bar in 7 Pl. du Chapitre.
    Show on Google Maps
    7

    Marion Nous - Bar à Vins & Tapas

    Bar in 1 Pl. des Carmes.
    Show on Google Maps
    8

    AJMi Jazz Club - La Manutention

    Bar in 4 Rue des Esc. Sainte-Anne.
    Show on Google Maps
    9

    Club Discothèque Le Jungle

    120 Av. de Tarascon, 84000 Avignon, Frankreich
    Show on Google Maps
    10

    Bibendum

    Bar in 83 Rue Joseph Vernet.
    Show on Google Maps
    11

    Bar La place ️| Terrasse Cocktail Music

    Bar in 3 Pl. Pie.
    Show on Google Maps
    12

    La Bastide Avignon

    Bar in 4 Rue des Teinturiers.
    Show on Google Maps

    Exploring Locally

    The Old Town within the city walls is best explored on foot. For longer distances, there's the Orizo network with buses and trams. Avignon has two train stations: Avignon-Centre right outside the city wall and Avignon TGV about four kilometers south, connected by a shuttle train. By bike, you can easily reach the Île de la Barthelasse in the Rhône; a free ferry crosses over there.

    Accommodations in Avignon

    Find perfect stay in Avignon

    Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Agoda* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Airbnb
    Vacation Rentals

    * Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.

    Campgrounds in Avignon

    Find perfect campground in Avignon

    Search via Google Maps
    Campgrounds nearby (15km)
    Camping.info
    Find Campgrounds
    Park4Night
    RV Parks & Camping

    Plan your trip to Avignon

    Save places, build a route and plan your city trip, all in one place.

    1. 1
      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
      1234

      Round trip

      12 days · 4 stops

      Saved

      Pick a route

      Pick a ready-made one or save places and plan your own.

      Open bookmarks
    2. 2

      Trip to Avignon

      Live
      • 1Basilique Saint-Pierre3 days
      • 2Papstpalast4 days
      • 3Musée Calvet5 days
      Budget

      Plan your trip

      The planner sorts stops, days and budget. Plan together in real time.

      Start trip planning
    3. 3
      9:41 No signal
      Avignon
      Available offline

      Use it on the road

      Download the guide to your phone and use it on site, even offline.

    Nearby

    Provence

    Provence

    The Provence in southeastern France stretches from the Rhône Valley into the Pre-Alps and to the coast near Marseille. Here you'll find Roman structures, medieval hilltop villages, lavender fields on the plateaus, the Verdon Gorges, and lively cities like Marseille, Avignon, and Aix-en-Provence. Additionally, there are markets, wine, and a cuisine rich in vegetables, olive oil, and herbs.
    Pont du Gard

    Pont du Gard

    The Pont du Gard is one of the best-preserved Roman aqueducts and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985. The approximately 49-meter-high bridge spans the Gardon and was part of a roughly 50-kilometer-long aqueduct system that brought spring water from Uzès to Nîmes in the 1st century AD. You can admire the three superimposed rows of arches up close and cross the river via the lower level. A museum and visitor center explain its construction and history. In the late afternoon, the light is warm and the crowds are smaller. In summer, you can swim in the Gardon below the bridge; a walk along the banks offers additional perspectives.
    Gordes

    Gordes

    Gordes, a Luberon hill village, is among the "Plus Beaux Villages de France". Its stone houses rise on a rocky spur around the Renaissance castle. From the top, you overlook the valley to the Luberon mountains. Nearby are the Village des Bories and Sénanque Abbey with its lavender field.
    Arles

    Arles

    Arles is a city with a deep-rooted history, shaped by its Roman heritage and the artistic presence of Vincent van Gogh. Here, you can explore impressive Roman structures such as the well-preserved amphitheater Arènes d'Arles and the ancient theater, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Roman cryptoporticus and the Alyscamps burial ground also bear witness to the city's former importance. The city significantly inspired Vincent van Gogh, whose traces can be found at places like Café la Nuit or in the garden of the Hôtel-Dieu. The Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles presents his work in the context of contemporary art. For an authentic experience, a visit to the lively Saturday market is worthwhile. The best time to visit is spring or autumn, to enjoy the city with mild temperatures and fewer crowds.
    Saint-Gilles

    Saint-Gilles

    Saint-Gilles is a small town on the edge of the Petite Camargue in the Gard département, about 20 kilometres south of Nîmes. It is known for its abbey church, whose Romanesque west facade from the 12th century counts among the most important sculptural works of Romanesque art in France and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela. There are also a small old town, a harbour on the Canal du Rhône à Sète and the bull and rice culture of the Camargue.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI