avignon tour itinerary

The Perfect 1, 2 or 3 Days in Avignon Itinerary

Published on April 18, 2023

by Brittany Scott-Gunfield

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Our Avignon itinerary will take you on a fantastic journey through the historic streets of this provencal city, from palaces and popes to wine and walls. Over 1, 2 or 3 days in Avignon, you’ll have plenty to do at a relaxed pace to really get a feel for life in this former papal residence.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Avignon?

Although small in size, Avignon has a long and rich history, from the Romans to the present day, with most of the city’s attractions becoming World Heritage Sites in 1995.

Its main significance lies in being one of only three papal seats outside of Rome, and of course, the Papal Palace remains Avignon’s main tourist attraction. However, you’d be forgiven for wondering how many days to spend in Avignon, as little else is known about the city unless you’re a true francophile, a local, or from its twinned town of Colchester, England.

For 1 day in Avignon, you can plan to see the main historic sites as they are located very close together within the city’s walls, such as the Pope’s Palace and gardens, and the neighbouring semi-destroyed bridge.

If you have 2 days in Avignon, you can add a walk around the ramparts and through the charming city streets as well as a visit to a museum.

However, if you have 3 days, you can even go on a day trip to one of the vineyards on the Rhône, to the hilltop villages or to the nearby historic city of Arles , overflowing with Roman history and delighted with memories of Van Gogh.

Getting To & Around Avignon

Avignon is located in the South of France, relatively centrally, at 100 km northwest of Marseille , 100 km northeast of Montpellier and 230 km directly south of Lyon . The easiest way to reach Avignon from outside France is by flying into Avignon-Provence Airport, which is a 20-minute drive from the city centre or one hour via bus line 62.

From other cities in France, you can reach Avignon by high-speed train (TGV) from most major cities, including Paris , or via coaches or ridesharing applications. Avignon’s central train station is just outside of the city walls, however as it’s a small city, it’s just a ten-minute walk to the centre. You can view train schedules here.

You can enjoy a very pleasant long weekend in the city without needing a car, however, if you want to go further afield during a longer stay or as part of a Provence itinerary , you should rent a car to be able to get around more easily, particularly to the charming small villages located to the South and East of Avignon or even make your way to Aix-en-Provence .

Rental cars are available from Avignon-Provence Airport as well as other rental agencies outside of the city centre. You can browse car hire options here .

Within Avignon, there are buses and trams around the outside of the city walls, and some bus routes crossing the centre, however, due to the proximity of Avignon’s main highlights and the charming cobbled streets, it’s much better to explore the city on foot or by rental bike.

There is also the “Petit Train” also known as the little touristic train that takes you through a small circuit around the city to see 11 stops, including the Palais des Papes, Rocher de Dom and the Pont d’Avignon. Or a longer city circuit takes you over the rivers to Barthelasse island and the Philippe le Bel Tower.

1, 2 or 3 Days in Avignon Itinerary

Day 1 – historic centre.

Whether you take the Petit Train first or explore Avignon on foot, in one day in Avignon, you can take your time while visiting the most important historic buildings and relics the city has to offer. You can also take a walking tour to get more historical information about the city.

Palais des Papes

The Pope’s Palace is undoubtedly the highlight of any Avignon itinerary, so naturally comes as the first stop on ours. While most people know of the Vatican City being a papal enclave in Italy, few know that Avignon was formerly one in France, after Pope Clement V moved to France in 1309.

It was in 1316 that Pope John XXII began construction on the Palais des Papes, aided significantly by his successors Benedict XII and Clement VI, as demonstrated by the slight archaeological differences in the palace’s design.

The Papal Schism took place in 1378 as the College of Cardinals in Rome, eager to bring the papacy back to Rome, elected the first Pope Urban VI before nullifying this election and electing Pope Clement VII instead.

Due to Pope Urban VI’s unwillingness to step down, Pope Clement VII was forced to return to Avignon, with the support of King Charles V of France, beginning the era of two Popes that caused chaos in Europe as leaders were forced to recognise only one.

The schism ended finally in 1429 with the resignation of the Avignon and Roman Popes, the death of the Pisan Pope who ruled briefly from 1409 to 1410, and the election of Pope Martin V.

Later becoming a governmental residence and then barracks during the French Revolution, the Palais des Papes is now open to visitors who can learn more about the former papal residence, complete with awe-inspiring frescoes by Matteo Giovannetti and gardens.

If you’re spending one day in Avignon, you can buy a ticket that includes a visit to the Pont d’Avignon. You can also visit the Notre Dame des Doms d’Avignon (the main cathedral of the city), next to the palace, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site from the 12th century, holding several tombs on the Popes of Avignon.

Head down from the Palais des Papes, past the impressive baroque façade of the Hôtel des Monnaies to the palace gardens.

Jardin des Doms

Sat alongside the Rhône River, is a beautiful elevated public garden that gives visitors views of the provencal countryside and Mont Ventoux to the Northeast.

It’s the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up a fresh baguette and some fromage before you arrive, to sit and relax among the ponds, ponies, and palace to the rear, before continuing your Avignon itinerary.

The Jardin des Doms, also referred to as the Rocher de Doms, is free to enter every day from 7.30 am until sunset.

Pont d’Avignon

Actually called Pont Saint-Bénézet, but affectionately nicknamed the Pont d’Avignon, this mediaeval bridge over the Rhône was built in 1234 with 22 stone arches, replacing the wooden bridge that had been located there one hundred years before.

Unfortunately, the new stone Pont Saint-Bénézet faced the same misfortune as the wooden bridge, being regularly destroyed by the Rhône floods and finally being abandoned after a major flood of 1669.

Now with only its gatehouse and four remaining arches in Avignon, the Chapel of Saint Nicholas on the second pier of the bridge, and the Philippe-le-Bel Tower on the West side, little remains of the historic bridge, but it’s still worth a visit.

Famous in France due to a little ditty from the 15th century, while you’re on the bridge, make sure to give a rendition of “Sur le Pont d’Avignon, l’on y danse, l’on y danse…” as you spin in circles with your partner for the full experience; if you’re alone, here’s your chance to make a friend!

Tour de Philippe-le-Bel

Crossing the Rhône River on Pont Édouard Daladier, or taking a free boat, to the Île de Piot, and continuing across Pont du Royaume over the West divergence of the Rhône River, you’ll reach the small village of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, where after a couple of minutes walking along the riverside, you’ll come across the wonderful Philippe-le-Bel Tower.

This tower marked the end of the Pont d’Avignon and provided the French gateway to the Papal enclave of Avignon before the river destroyed it in the 1600s. Meaning, Philip “the fair” the tower’s name comes from King Philippe IV who commissioned it around the turn of the 14th century.

Closed in January and on Mondays, you can go up the tower for €4.50 before finishing your evening with a stroll along the riverside, or a 15-minute walk up to one of France’s oldest olive oil manufacturers, Maison Bronzini, formerly The Moulin de la Chartreuse, to try some delicious natural olive products and perhaps buy a souvenir, or enjoy a freshly prepared meal in their new restaurant.

Day 2 – Ramparts

Continue to discover the historic sites if you have 2 days to spend in Avignon, with its well-preserved ramparts, museum and exquisite cuisine.

Remparts d’Avignon

As you start your second day, you can see remnants of the former defensive perimeter from the 1200s in the city planning as you navigate the winding cobbled streets towards Avignon’s Ramparts.

This 8-metre tall city wall extends for 4.3 km around the historic centre since it was built by order of Pope Innocent VI in the mid-1300s to protect the papacy from angry French mercenaries. Over the centuries, the ramparts have met a great number of attacks and required numerous repairs; today there are 15 entrances for vehicles and a further 11 for pedestrians.

As it’s free to go up and walk around every day of the year, this is a must-do activity over 2 or 3 days in the city. You can pick up a brochure in the tourist information centre before walking around the ramparts, or book a guided tour to learn more about the history of the city walls.

Palais du Roure

The Palais du Roure is less of a palace and more of a hôtel particulier – an old French mansion belonging to one family over many years.

Formerly the home of the Baroncelli-Javons, a Florentine family, for 5 centuries before being changing hands and eventually being bought by author Jeanne de Flandreysy in 1918, the Palais du Roure is now a diverse centre of provencal history and culture, an art museum and the location of Flandreysy’s bell collection.

Although the contents are a touch bizarre, this Gothic mansion is architecturally charming and is free to enter to see the permanent collections from Tuesday to Saturday.

Musée Calvet

Just a 4-minute walk from the Palais du Roure towards the Rhône, lies another incredible hôtel particulier, this time from the 18th century, and a Jesuit Chapel forming the Calvet Museum.

Esprit Calvet, who gives the museum his name, was an enlightenment-era economist and collector, who donated his full collection of antiques, his library and natural history collection to the city of Avignon to be turned into a museum upon his death in 1810.

The mansion houses a wonderful fine art collection, while you can find all kinds of gemstones, precious metals, porcelain and tapestries in the lapidary area of the museum located in the former chapel. You can also find a number of archaeological finds from other continents that Calvet had collected.

Closed completely on Tuesdays and every other day from 1 – 2 pm for lunch, the museum’s permanent collection is free and you can pay on arrival for any current exhibitions.

Eating in Avignon

Due to its location and climate, the food in Avignon is exceptional, with seafood from the nearby Mediterranean, Spanish influence from the West, French influence from the North and perfect vegetable-growing land, giving the city an abundance of fresh ingredients to use in its cuisine.

Depending on which season you’re visiting Avignon in, you can find ample fresh cherries and strawberries, asparagus and garlic, and of course cheese, at most regional markets in the area as well as being served in the bistros and auberges.

Try the typical Avignon dish Foie de Veau en Persillade (veal liver in a parsley sauce) from central restaurant Caf’Thiers on Rue Thiers to get a taste of the area, or pick up some famous provencal charcuterie from your nearest butcher, supermarket or market stall (such as in Les Halles d’Avignon) to enjoy with your picnics or apéritifs. You can even do a cooking class with a chef at Les Halles market!

There is no doubt that eating local cuisine is one of the best things to do in Avignon.

Day 3 – Day Trips from Avignon

Avignon is a small city but in a great location, so once you’ve seen its highlights, take a day trip to one of the many interesting provencal villages and historic sites, by car, public transport or guided tour.

Pont du Gard

Just 26 km West of Avignon is the amazing 1st-century aqueduct, the Pont du Gard.

Either by car or line 115 bus from Avignon’s central bus station to Vers-Pont du Gard, you can easily arrive at the historic site, walking from the entrance into the grounds, with the museum where you can learn about the history of the aqueduct, shops full of local souvenirs and cafe where you can have a pleasant breakfast or light lunch. You can also take a guided half-day tour that also visits some other nearby villages.

After 15 minutes walking through the site, you’ll arrive at the incredible bridge. Although 2,000 years old the Pont du Gard is an amazing piece of architecture today, with its three arched tiers spanning 275 metres across the river Gardon. You can buy entry tickets here.

You can cross the aqueduct to get a different perspective and head to the Terrace restaurant for dinner if you have your whole day there, or explore the other historically significant bridges, Pont du Combe Roussière, or Pont de Valmale, or visit the ancient Chapel of St Peter or ruins of the formerly 50 km long aqueduct.

Driving 50 minutes South or taking the TER for 17 minutes from Gare d’Avignon to Gare d’Arles, you’ll arrive in the magnificent city of Arles. The centrepiece of the city is the Arènes d’Arles – an incredible two-tiered Roman amphitheatre. You can also take a guided half-day tour.

You can visit the amphitheatre to learn of its history as a place of gladiator battles, or book an event in advance, as the amphitheatre now hosts concerts and other events throughout the summer months.

You can also wander down the Alyscamps; a seemingly Gothic version of the Parisian Champs Élysées, this spectacular tree-lined route takes you past many ornate sarcophagi into an old Roman cemetery with a church from the 1100s.

Or, you can head to the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh, an art museum dedicated to the artist who lived in the city from 1888 to 1889, proving to be one of his most prolific periods in which he produced 200 paintings and 100 drawings and watercolours, including one of his most revered works, Sunflowers.

Although many of his famous works are scattered around Europe or housed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, this museum provides a great opportunity to see a broad spectrum of the artist’s work in the very place that inspired them. It was also while living in Arles that Van Gogh cut off his ear while being visited by friend Paul Gaugin.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

One of the best day trips that you can do, even if you just have 2 days in Avignon, is to the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, just 12 km north of Avignon. There are a number of tour options such as this half-day tour or this afternoon tour.

Although its name is larger than the village itself, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an absolute must-see place in Provence and one of the best places to visit in Avignon, especially for oenophiles, or connoisseurs of wine, as the region produces around 14 million bottles of wine annually.

Gaining its name officially in 1893, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is named due to the ruins of the mediaeval castle that sit above the village that was originally built for Pope John XXII in the 1300s. Nowadays, the village is much more famous for its production of deep red wines, which you can taste at many of the 320 local vineyards and wineries, covering 7,746 acres.

One of the most notable is Château Fortia, a family-run vineyard whose post-WWI struggle prompted husband and pilot Baron Le Roy and his friend Joseph Capus to begin work on a system of naming and protecting French wines, which was adopted in 1936 and is known today as the appellation d’origine contrôlée, or AOC.

Or visit Château La Nerthe; one of the oldest wineries in the region, dating back to 1570 and now one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s biggest and best.

Since 93% of wine produced in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region is red, you won’t find much white wine, however there is a great variety in the types of red on offer, which you can see in the AOC wine shop, Vinadea.

Gordes, Roussillon and Sault

If you have 3 days in Avignon or more, you should definitely rent a car or book a guided tour such as this full-day tour or this half-day tour to visit the nearby villages of Gordes, Roussillon and Sault. A circular drive visiting each provencal village from Avignon would take under 3 hours, so you have plenty of time to spend in each village between enjoying the views from the road.

40 minutes driving from Avignon is the hilltop village of Gordes, with scenic views of the surrounding countryside and winding cobbled streets taking you past the white stone buildings.

Just 15 minutes East of Gordes, is the picture-perfect village of Roussillon. Sat at the foot of the red Vaucluse mountains which lend its colour to the pinkish houses, in one of the world’s biggest ochre deposits, surrounded by Provence’s famous lavender fields and green pine trees, Roussillon is bursting with so much colour, it’s hard not to take out your sketchbook and paint brushes or takes picture on every corner.

There are many little ateliers dotted around the village too, demonstrating the influence the amazing landscape has on the artistic side of its inhabitants.

Continue for 30 minutes to the village of Sault for a real taste of Provence. You can take a free 30-minute guided tour of the Distillery Aroma’Plantes where you can take part in workshops to make your own lavender oils and soaps with the natural fragrances available to learn the skills passed down through generations of the lavender farmers of Provence.

Where to Stay in Avignon

Hotel Boquier – Mid-range visitors to Avignon will love the cosy hotel. Situated in the city centre within easy reach of all of the top attractions, there is a range of rooms to choose from, parking included and breakfast on offer in the mornings.

Hotel De Cambis – Luxury travellers will love this sophisticated hotel in the centre of Avignon. There are plush and comfortable rooms to choose from, a hearty breakfast available in the morning and a range of other amenities for guests to enjoy.

Chapelle du Miracle – These apartments are a great choice for those who would prefer their own flat when visiting Avignon. There is a range of different apartments to choose from, all fully furnished with everything you may need and they’re located in an excellent location for exploring the city.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Avignon hotels!

Although small, Avignon has a long and significant history which can be witnessed all over the city, from the food to the art and architecture. So don’t miss out and book your trip to Avignon today!

Are you planning a trip to Avignon? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

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About Brittany Scott-Gunfield

Brittany is a writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from Colchester, England, she is slowly but surely travelling the world as a digital nomad. She loves to hike around different landscapes and has a deep love for travelling around France (and elsewhere in Europe).

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1 Day In Avignon: The Perfect Avignon Itinerary

Did you know that Avignon is the second oldest city in France, right after Marseille? Located in the south of the country, more specifically in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, Avignon is the perfect starting point for a trip to the famous lavender fields in Provence!

On this Avignon itinerary, you’ll have the opportunity to discover numerous interesting museums and fascinating religious temples, as well as iconic monuments in the historic center (such as the Papal Palace, the Episcopal Ensemble, and the Avignon Bridge, which have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995)!

So, do you want to know more about 1 Day In Avignon: The Perfect Avignon Itinerary? Keep reading!

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World Heritage

Pont saint-bénézet, brief history of avignon.

The occupation of the site where Avignon is today dates back to the Neolithic period, as evidenced by several archaeological excavations. But its history as a city began with the Greeks, who established a trading port here in the 6th century BC, which they designated by Aouenion.

In the first half of the 2nd century AD, the Greek emporium of Aouenion passed into the domain of the Roman Empire and was renamed Avennio. And when Emperor Hadrian visited the region, he gave Avennio the status of a Roman colony, with the title of Colonia Julia Hadriana Avenniensis.

However, the most important era in Avignon’s history took place between 1309 and 1423, when it became the official residence of the Popes. In all, seven Popes lived in Avignon until 1377, which is why this period is known as the Avignon Papacy, and the city is still called the “City of Popes” today.

Avignon remained a papal property until 1791, the year in which the French Revolution was happening and the city was annexed to France. These days, it’s one of the few destinations in the country with its walls and historic center so well preserved. For that reason, Avignon was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

Did you know that the Historic Center of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge were part of France’s ninth set of inscriptions on the UNESCO World Heritage List ? This 19th session of the World Heritage Committee took place in Berlin (Germany), between December 4th and 9th, 1995.

Nowadays, France is the third country in the world and the second country in Europe with the most UNESCO sites, tied with Germany. It has fifty-two heritage assets (both cultural and natural) inscribed on the world list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization!

In the meantime, I’ve already had the opportunity to visit nine of them:

• Castle of Sully-sur-Loire (2000)
• Historic Center of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge (1995)
• Le Havre, the City Rebuilt by Auguste Perret (2005)
• Mont Saint-Michel and its Bay (1979)
• Nice, Winter Resort Town of the Riviera (2021)
• Palace and Park of Fontainebleau (1981)
• Palace and Park of Versailles (1985)
• Paris, Banks of the Seine (1991)
• Provins, Town of Medieval Fairs (2001)

Visiting Avignon

Due to its excellent geographical location, there are two recommended ways to explore Avignon: on a day trip from Marseille (100 km by car and 30 minutes by TGV train ) or Montpellier (100 km by car and 1h30 by TER train ), or a road trip through the south of France.

If you prefer the second option, I think you should consider visiting other cities and towns in the vicinity: Orange (30 km by car and 15 minutes by train), Arles (40 km by car and 20 minutes by train), Nîmes (45 km by car and 30 minutes by train), and Aix-en-Provence (85 km by car) – and, of course, Marseille and Montepellier.

It’s also possible to travel to/from Avignon by bus, with Flixbus !

Avignon Itinerary

Remparts d’avignon.

The Walls of Avignon (in French, Remparts d’Avignon) are one of the best examples of fortified fences still existing in France.

With more than 4 km long and about 8 meters high, the walled enclosure of the old city was built between 1355 and 1370, during the pontificates of Innocent VI and Urban V.

When they were completed in the middle of the Hundred Years’ War, the Walls of Avignon were protected by 35 main towers, 50 secondary towers, 7 doors with drawbridge, and a moat 4 meters deep!

In this Avignon itinerary, I suggest that you enter the old city through the Porte de la République, right in front of the Gare d’Avignon Centre.

Collection Lambert

Approximately 300 meters from the Porte de la République, you’re going to find the Lambert Collection (in French, Collection Lambert), a contemporary art museum founded by art collector Yvon Lambert. Opened in 2000, the art gallery is housed in two 18th-century buildings in the historic center of Avignon: the Hôtel de Caumont (for the permanent exhibition) and the Hôtel de Montfaucon (for temporary exhibitions).

With hundreds of works from the second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, the Lambert Collection includes artists such as Cy Twombly, Sol LeWitt, Robert Ryman, Niele Toroni, Daniel Buren, Lawrence Weiner, Christian Boltanski, Bertrand Lavier, Andres Serrano, Nan Goldin, Miquel Barceló, Mirosław Bałka, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Douglas Gordon, Adel Abdessemed and Francesco Vezzoli.

The Lambert Collection is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11 am to 6 pm (September to June), and every day from 11 am to 7 pm (in July and August). Tickets cost €10 (adults), €8 (students and young people aged 12 to 16), or €2 (children aged 6 to 11), but you can check all practical information on the official website .

Musée Calvet

I think it won’t take you long to realize that Avignon is home to dozens of art museums, religious temples, and other historic buildings (like palaces). Well, the Calvet Museum (in French, Musée Calvet) is the main museum of the city and therefore a must-stop on this Avignon itinerary!

Open to the public in the 19th century and housed in the former Hôtel de Villeneuve-Martignan, the Museum of Fine Arts and Archeology of Avignon comprises collections of archeology, fine arts (painting, sculpture, and drawing), decorative arts (jewelry, faience, tapestry, etc.), and ethnography (from Africa, Asia, and Oceania).

The Calvet Museum is open every day (except on Tuesdays) from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm. And even though visiting the permanent collections is free for everyone, I recommend that you confirm all practical information on the official website .

Musée Lapidaire

The Lapidary Museum (in French, Musée Lapidaire) was created in 1933 as an archaeological museum annexed to the Calvet Museum. Located in the chapel of a 17th-century Jesuit college, it features examples of Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Gallo-Roman, and Paleo-Christian cultures, as well as prehistoric objects from the Avignon region.

Some of the pieces on display at the Lapidary Museum were used in everyday life, such as vases and amphorae. Nevertheless, most archaeological finds allude to funerary rituals: tombstones, inscriptions, reliefs, sarcophagi, statues…

The Lapidary Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm. Like the Calvet Museum, admission to the permanent collections is free!

Basilique Saint-Pierre d’Avignon

If you walk 500 meters from the Lapidary Museum, you’ll see the next point of interest in this Avignon itinerary. I’m talking about the Basilica of Saint Peter of Avignon (in French, Basilique Saint-Pierre d’Avignon), which was built between the second half of the 14th century and the first half of the 16th century.

As far as is known, this Gothic-style minor basilica was erected on the site of the first church from the 7th century, also dedicated to Saint Peter. Inside, don’t forget to admire the various side chapels and religious works of art, including the gilded altarpiece and choir!

The Basilica of Saint Peter of Avignon is open every day of the year, from 8 am to 12:40 pm and from 3 pm to 5 pm (from Monday to Saturday), or from 8 am to 11:30 am (on Sundays). And like most religious temples in France, entry is free for everyone.

Palais des Papes

The Palace of the Popes (in French, Palais des Papes) is the most visited monument in Avignon. Also known as the Papal Palace, this Gothic-style fortress was the official residence of Popes Clement V, John XXII, Benedict XII, Clement VI, Innocent VI, Urban V, and Gregory XI.

The imposing and sumptuous Palace of the Popes of Avignon was a palace complex formed by the Old Palace (in French, Palais Vieux), idealized by Pope Benedict XII, and by the New Palace (in French, Palais Neuf), commissioned by Pope Clement VI.

Also noteworthy is the Bibliothèque Pontificale d’Avignon (or Pontifical Library of Avignon) – the largest in Europe at that time, with more than 2000 volumes – as well as the Chapelle Clémentine or Grande Chapelle (Clementine Chapel or Great Chapel), which received the best musicians, singers, and songwriters.

The Palace of the Popes is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm, with the last entry at 5 pm (Palace) and 5:30 pm (Palace Gardens and Saint Bénézet Bridge). As for tickets, they cost €12 (adults), €10 (university students and seniors over 60), or €6.5 (children and young people aged 8 to 17).

TIP: Choose one of the combined tickets advertised on the official website of the Palace of the Popes , to benefit from special discounts on the visit to the Palace of the Popes, Gardens, and Saint Bénézet Bridge!

Cathédrale Notre-Dame-des-Doms d’Avignon

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Doms of Avignon (in French, Cathédrale Notre-Dame-des-Doms d’Avignon) is the most important Catholic temple in this French city. Also called Basilica of Our Lady of Doms of Avignon (in French, Basilique Notre-Dame-des-Doms d’Avignon), is next to the Palace of the Popes.

The construction works started in the middle of the 12th century and lasted until the first half of the 15th century – hence the predominant architectural style is the Romanesque. Even so, the cathedral basilica underwent reconstructions and expansions in the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as interventions and restorations in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Doms in Avignon is open every day from 6:30 am to 12 pm and from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm (from Monday to Saturday), or from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm (on Sundays). During the summer, the monument closes at 6 pm. And, once again, admission is free for everyone.

Jardin du Rocher des Doms

The Garden of the Rocher des Doms or Doms Garden (in French, Jardin du Rocher des Doms or Jardin des Doms, respectively) is an English-style public garden covering about 3 hectares, located a few meters from the Palace of the Popes and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Doms of Avignon.

Rising more than 30 meters above the River Rhône, the “Rocher des Doms” is a limestone hill that has served as a natural refuge for man since prehistoric times. Therefore, it’s easy to understand why the place was transformed into an oppidum (and castrum) in Ancient Rome and a castle in the Middle Ages.

In the following centuries, this rock developed little or nothing. But everything changed in the 18th century when the hill gained popularity when it comes to walks and picnics. Thus, the Garden of the Rocher des Doms was inaugurated in the 19th century, with leafy trees, water fountains, and statues of local personalities.

In the 20th century, the panoramic terraces were added, offering breathtaking views over the historic center of Avignon, the plains on the banks of the River Rhône, the neighboring village of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, and the popular Saint Benezet Bridge.

Musée du Petit Palais

The Small Palace Museum (in French, Musée du Petit Palais) is the last of four museums on this Avignon itinerary. And, coincidentally, it’s also an art gallery! Another curiosity is the fact that the monument is called “Small Palace”, simply to distinguish it from the neighboring Palace of the Popes – the “Grand Palace”.

Although the Small Palace Museum has only been in existence since 1976, the building dates from 1318-1320. Over time, the “Small Palace” has been an ecclesiastical residence, the seat of the local bishopric, a citadel, and even a school. Today, it’s home to one of the most relevant collections of Italian Gothic and Renaissance art outside Italy.

The Small Palace Museum is open every day (except Tuesdays) from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm. Other than that, the only official closing days are the holidays of January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. Finally, admission to permanent collections is free.

Saint Bénézet Bridge , popularly nicknamed the Avignon Bridge (in French, Pont Saint-Bénézet or Pont d’Avignon, respectively), is a mandatory stop on any Avignon itinerary. Built around 1234, this medieval bridge over the River Rhône preserves only 4 of the 22 original stone arches.

In 1185, Avignon gained a wooden bridge dedicated to Saint Benezet, which connected the city to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. Unfortunately, this first bridge was destroyed in 1226, during the Albigensian Crusade. But after the reconstruction, the new stone bridge was about 900 meters long and almost 5 meters wide!

Due to the constant landslides caused by floods from the River Rhône, Saint Bénézet Bridge was abandoned – hence almost all the arches and pillars have disappeared. But the children’s song “Sur le Pont d’Avignon” contributed to its ruins becoming a landmark of the city.

Saint Bénézet Bridge is open every day of the year, from 10 am to 6 pm. If you don’t want to buy a combined ticket with the Palace of the Popes, the visit costs €5 (adults) or €4 (university students, seniors over 60, and children aged 8 to 17), and includes a multimedia audio guide in English.

Map of the Avignon Itinerary

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How to Spend the Perfect One Day in Avignon Itinerary

By: Author Sophie Nadeau

Posted on Last updated: 12th April 2024

Categories France , Itineraries

Last Updated on 12th April 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

First founded several millennia ago and once known as Avenio  to the Romans, Avignon is a city with many façades, as opposed to only the medieval history aspect that everyone is so familiar with. From the world-famous Pont d’Avignon to discovering the hidden side of the city, here’s a suggested itinerary for how to spend one day in Avignon !

Is one day enough time to visit Avignon?

Enjoy breakfast at maison violette, visit the palais des papes, wander along the pont d’avignon (or at least admire it from afar), pick up lunch supplies at les halles d’avignon, enjoy your food at parc rocher des doms, go in search of hidden gems of avignon, caffeinate at café tulipe, enjoy dinner in avignon, la mirande, 4 place de la mirande, au jardin des carmes (21 place des carmes), l’agape (21 place des corps saints), if you have a little more time…, where to stay in avignon, enjoyed reading about how to spend one day in avignon pin it now, read it again later:.

Please note that I would personally opt to stay in Avignon for longer than 24 hours if you are able to. After all, the city is home to plenty of great places to eat, a wide variety of accommodation, and is a fantastic place to base yourself for travel in the wider region, particularly if you have access to a car.

With that being said, if one day is all you have in Avignon, then it’s better to go and get a taste for the city than forgo it altogether. Many of the major attractions are grouped together and so you can easily explore the inner city on foot. The ideal amount of time to explore Avignon is three days. This way you can see the main sights, discover hidden gems, and even embark on a few day trips .

Suggested one day in Avignon itinerary

Crumbly croissants, fresh raspberry tarts, and a piping hot espresso served fresh to the table: start your day the right way by heading to Maison Violette, a traditional French bakery in the heart of the city.

Located on Place des Corps Saints on the fringes of the historic city centre, highlights include sweet madeleines, light as a feather raspberry pastries, and every type of French cake you could possibly imagine.

Of all the places to visit in Avignon, the Palais des Papes (Papal Palace) is easily the most famous. As its name would suggest, the fortified residence was the abode of seven successive popes during the 14th-century when the ecclesiastical men fled Rome due to uncertainty in the Middle Ages.

Today, you can truly step back in time by visiting the two historic palaces, many courtyards, and by admiring the painted rooms throughout the complex. The rooftop of the complex offers fantastic views onto the River Rhône, including of the Pont d’Avignon.

Fun for all ages, an interactive tablet with headphones to borrow is also included in the price of your ticket so that you can explore each room in further depth. Overall, the Palais des Papes is one of the best things to do in Provence .

The iconic Pont d’Avignon is actually not a full monument, but rather what is left of a bridge which washed away during the Middle Ages and has been made even more famous by the popular famous French nursery rhyme  ‘Sur le Pont d’Avignon’  which is learned and sung by French children all over l’Hexagone and dates back to the 15th-century.

Today, you can stand on the bridge for a small fee and wander along its cobbled remains. Your guided visit includes an in-depth audioguide, which will take you through the history of the bridge, as well as the story of the wider city.

Alternatively, you can wander along the pedestrian footpath which meanders along the main road below the bridge. The best views of the Pont d’Avignon can be found at the Parc Rocher des Doms and the Pont Édouard Daladier, en route to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.

For those looking for a tasty pick-me-up in the very heart of town, a trip inside Les Halles is an absolute must. Described in some of the best books about Provence , including by authors such as Jean Viard and Peter Mayle, Les Halles food court is a traditional covered market place.

Home to a huge array of fresh produce, baked goods (I highly recommend purchasing the warm focaccia topped with fresh vegetables) , local delicacies, larger than life olive stands, and locally sourced fish, the covered market is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 6 am – 1:30 pm on weekdays  and 6 am – 2 pm on weekends.

Instead of eating your food in Les Halles (though, this of course, is always an option!), take your lunch to go and head to the Parc Rocher des Doms. Perched atop a rock high above the city, this park is home to fantastic views, pretty greenery, and even a secret vineyard. Though the vineyard may appear as if it has been in situ for centuries, the row of vines overlooking the River Rhône were actually planted in the 1990s.

After seeing the major Avignon attractions, take the time to get to know the city on a more local level specifically by going in search of hidden gems before your one day in Avignon comes to an end.

Some of the best secret spots in Avignon include many a little-known church, off the beaten path cloisters, and a leaning bell tower that’s the city’s answer to the leaning tower of Pisa.

Hands down the best coffee to be found in Avignon, Café Tulipe is one of the newer and trendiest cafés in the city. This is also one of the only places where you can order delights such as Matcha lattés, almond milk speciality coffees, and altogether the tastiest coffee in town.

For those who are a little peckish, Café Tulipe also serves a selection of delicious cakes, as well as light savoury snacks such as avocado on toast. When it comes to the sweet side of things, there are a selection of mouthwatering homemade French sweets on offer. For more details, check out my full review on Café Tulipe.

To end your one day in Avignon itinerary, dinner in the walled and fortified city is an absolute must, particularly because the city is one of the top foodie destinations in Southern France.

During our recent visit to Provence , we were lucky enough to sample a variety of menus at several locations across the city. Some of my favourite picks of places to eat include, as well as those which we didn’t get to sample but are highly reviewed include:

Set against the backdrop of a luxruious five-star hotel and in the shadows of the Palais des Papes, this Michelin Star restaurant offers a gastronomic tasting menu which is paired with various wines from the region and beyond. The food is quite literally art and while the experience is pricier than some other places to eat in the city, the culinary tastes are unparalelled.

For those who are looking for great food in an even prettier location, this hidden away restaurant serves locally-inspired dishes, including fish plates and wonderful desserts. Well-reviewed, the food comes in at around €30 for two courses and €40 for three courses.

Not too pricey and consistently ranked as one of the best places to eat in Avignon, L’Agape serves food with a modern twist on a traditional French bistro. Seasonal and delicious, even the bread is made in-house.

Those visiting Provence for the first or even hundredth time will want to make sure that they leave themselves enough time to get to know this beautiful French region for themselves after spending 1 day in Avignon.

From forgotten lakes to medieval towns and a beautiful coastline, there’s no shortage of wonderful day trips to take from Avignon. If you don’t have access to a car, there’s the possibility to book guided tours such as this half day vineyards tour or this full day best of Provence tour.

As one of the largest cities in Provence, Avignon has no shortage of wonderful accommodation options to suit almost any budget and taste. If you’re visiting during the peak season, then it’s best to book your place to stay as far ahead as you can in order to secure your place at your desired place to stay. Here are some of the best places to stay in Avignon

Budget: For those visiting the south of France on a budget, this well-reviewed B&B offers free parking and Wi-Fi. Though not located within Avignon’s city walls, hence the lower price of the accommodation, it’s not too far to walk to Avignon’s main attractions. Check prices and availability here.

Mid-range: This four-star hotel is situated a 9-minute walk from Avignon Cathedral and amenities include air conditioned rooms, a bar and restaurant on site, and free parking. Check prices and availability here.

Luxury: The crème de la crème of staying in Avignon is undoubtedly this five-star hotel, which boasts highlights such as daily housekeeping, a close proximity to the Palais des Papes, and a concierge service. Check prices and availability here.

Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.

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Monday 10th of June 2019

If I'm ever in Avignon I'll be sure to follow this exact itinerary!

- Laura || afinnontheloose.com

One Day In Avignon Itinerary, What To Do In The Pope’s City

Avignon is a charming city in southeastern France that exudes history and culture. Its impressive architecture, lively squares, and chic eateries make it the perfect spot to experience Provence’s urban side.

Once the seat of the papacy, Avignon boasts a rich cultural heritage and a number of must see attractions, including the UNESCO-listed Pope’s Palace and some charming small museums and churches.

To help you make the most of your visit, I’ve put together my recommended one day in Avignon itinerary.

Overview Of One Day in Avignon Itinerary

Here’s a snapshot glance of what you can see with a one day in Avignon itinerary:

Pope’s Palace

Pont d’avignon.

• Church of St. Pierre
• Musee de Petit Palais
• Jardin des Doms

Avignon Cathedral

Musee angladon.

One Day in Avignon Itinerary

To see it all with a local, you might want to book this 4 hour guided tour .

Start your one day in Avignon at its most iconic attraction, the Palais des Papes.

I advise getting a skip the line ticket in high season and visiting at 9:00 am when it opens. It’s a vast complex, so you will likely want to dedicate a couple hours to it.

The Pope’s Palace is the largest Gothic palace in Europe and one of the most impressive historical landmarks in France . It’s the 10th most visited site in the country.

History of the Pope’s Palace

Did you know that, for a time in history, the popes didn’t reside in Vatican City ? Instead, from 1309 to 1377, they lived in Avignon. That period is known as the “Avignon Papacy.”

In the early 14th century, Rome was in a state of chaos and unrest, with various factions vying for control.

For his own safety, Pope Clement V moved to Avignon in 1309. To protect themselves from enemies and entertain in style, the Avignon popes built a mighty Gothic fortress.

However, the move led to a schism between France and Italy. This era was rife with drama akin to an HBO mini-series, with dual popes, infighting, and even poisonings.

Finally, upon Rome’s pleading, an elderly and more pliable Gregory XI moved “home” in 1377, ending the Avignon Papacy.

However, Gregory’s death in 1378 and the breakdown in relations between his successor, Urban VI, and the cardinals resulted in the “Western Schism.” This gave rise to a second line of popes in Avignon, known as antipopes. The schism ended for good in 1417.

What To See At The Pope’s Palace

The palace is an impressive example of Gothic architecture, featuring towering walls, fortified towers, soaring banquet halls, and vaulted chapels. It spans an area of over 160,000 square feet, making it the top dog in Europe.

The facade is grandiose and imposing. The central section features three tiers of large windows with arches and tracery work.

The roof is crenellated, emphasizing the palace’s defensive and medieval character. The most striking feature is the pair of Gothic turrets adorned with intricate carvings.

The palace is divided into two parts: the old palace (built by Pope Benedict XII) and the new palace (added by Pope Clement VI). The old palace is simpler in design, while the new palace is more ornate and includes luxurious living quarters for the pope.

There are plenty of incredible rooms and spaces to explore in the palace. Among the most impressive are:

• Grande Audience Hall (the Pope’s Audience Chamber)
• Grand Tinel (the Pope’s banquet hall)
• Consistory (the council chamber)
• Chapels of St. Martial and St. Jean
• Pope’s Apartment (beautiful frescos)

As you wander through the palace, you’ll see a range of restored frescoes depicting biblical scenes, portraits, allegories, and decorative motifs. There’s even a forest scene with a dragon and unicorn.

Other things to see include a replica of the papal throne in the Hall of Conclaves and portraits of all nine Avignon popes in the Notary Room.

The palace also houses a treasury room that contains an impressive collection of religious artifacts and works of art. It offers visitors a fascinating look at the rich history of the palace.

For those who want to take in the stunning views of the surrounding area, you can climb the crenellated Pope’s Tower, which stands at an impressive height of 155 feet.

The palace also has a lovely large courtyard, called the Cour d’Honneur , which was used for public events and ceremonies. The courtyard is surrounded by the palace’s towering walls and features a central fountain and ornate decorations.

Admission to the palace is € 12. I recommend taking a guided tour to learn about the fascinating history of the palace and its former residents. But there’s also a histopad included in the ticket price that is super useful.

The tablet provides an interactive, multimedia experience of the palace’s history and architecture. It allows visitors to see how the palace looked in the past, making history come to life. 

When you’re done at the palace, take a walk to the nearby Pont d’Avignon. The famous bridge is the inspiration behind the popular children’s song and is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Construction of the bridge began in 1177. In medieval times, it served as a crucial pilgrimage route for travelers journeying from Italy to Spain.

However, in 1226, the bridge was destroyed by Louis VIII of France during his siege of Avignon. Despite this setback, the citizens of Avignon rebuilt the bridge.

Unfortunately, over time, several of the arches were damaged and swept away due to the frequent flooding of the Rhone River. Today, only four arches and a tower remain as a testament to the bridge’s former glory.

You can book a combined ticket for the palace and the bridge. Otherwise, entry to the bridge is 5 euros.

St. Pierre Church

Near the bridge, you’ll find the small Church of St. Pierre. It’s an ancient church dating back to the 7th century. The church has undergone many revisions, including the 14th century addition of a Flamboyant Gothic facade and Gothic nave.

Inside, there are some beautiful stained glass windows, but otherwise it’s rather undistinguished.

In the afternoon of you’re one day in Avignon itinerary, head to the Place de l’Horloge, the central square in Avignon, for lunch. There are many cafes and restaurants to choose from, serving traditional French cuisine as well as international dishes.

Another good place to eat, about 10 minutes from the square, is L’Epicerie . It’s an unpretentious place decorated like a French grocery store.

Les Halles d’Avignon

Perhaps the best lunch option is Les Halles d’Avignon , the city’s vibrant covered market. With a vertical garden on the exterior, you can’t miss it.

The market offers a cornucopia of locally-sourced produce, meats, cheeses, pastries, and flowers.

With numerous vendors selling everything from fresh sandwiches to seafood, you’re sure to find something to your liking. Take a seat at the bar, order a glass of wine, and enjoy a tasty lunch while immersing yourself in the local culture.

Old Town Stroll

After lunch, take a stroll through Avignon’s old town, also known as the “intra-muros” or “walled city.” It’s a charming and picturesque neighborhood filled with narrow streets, historic buildings, and quaint squares.

Colorful buildings line the streets in shades of pink, yellow, and orange. The streets are also lined with small cafes, boutiques, and galleries.

There are several streets in the old town that are particularly quaint and charming.

Rue des Teinturiers is a narrow street that runs alongside a picturesque canal. This street is known for its lively atmosphere, with outdoor cafes and bars lining its banks.

Place Crillon is a charming square located in the heart of the old town. It is surrounded by historic buildings and features a beautiful fountain in its center.

This square is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, and it is a great place to sit and people watch while enjoying a coffee or a glass of wine.

Finally, another charming street is Rue Joseph Vernet, which is home to several art galleries and shops.

The street is named after a famous 18th century painter who was born in Avignon. It has a lovely ambiance that makes it perfect for an afternoon stroll.

Musée du Petit Palais

If you’re an art enthusiast, the Musée du Petit Palais should be the next destination on your one day in Avignon itinerary. This stunning small art museum is housed in a gorgeous 14th century building that was once a bishop’s palace.

The museum boasts an especially good collection of medieval and early Renaissance artworks. Plus, admission is completely free!

The museum houses works by the Italian artists Bellini, Simone Martini, Carpaccio, and Botticelli.

In addition to paintings and sculptures, the museum also houses medieval sculptures and decorative arts, including ceramics, glassware, and furniture.

Jardin des Domes

After your museum visit, take a short stroll to the Jardin des Doms . This lovely garden was created in the 18th century on the site of a former medieval fortress.

Covering over 11 acres, it’s divided into several terraces connected by staircases and paths. The garden is full of Mediterranean vegetation, including olive trees, cypresses, and palm trees, which create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

One of the highlights of the garden is the belvedere. It’s a viewing terrace that offers panoramic views of the city, the Rhone River and the surrounding countryside. Additionally, there’s a small cafe where you can enjoy a drink or a snack while taking in the stunning views.

Avignon Cathedral , also known as the Cathedral of Notre-Dame des Doms, is a beautiful Romanesque and Gothic-style cathedral located in the heart of the city.

The cathedral was built in the 12th century and has undergone several renovations and additions over time. The interior of the cathedral is adorned with breathtaking frescoes, stunning stained glass windows, and beautiful works of art.

However, the most remarkable feature of the cathedral is its beautiful bell tower, which stands at a height of 230 feet and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. A 4.5 ton gold statue of Mary sits atop the tower.

You can climb the bell tower for a spectacular view of the city and surrounding countryside. Although the climb is a tad challenging, the panoramic views from the top are definitely worth the effort.

If you have any time left in your one day in Avignon, head to the Musee Angladon . It’s a small museum situated in a beautiful 18th century mansion that houses an impressive collection of fine art and antiques.

The museum is named after Jacques Doucet’s wife, Paulette Angladon-Dubrujeaud. She bequeathed her husband’s collection to the city of Avignon.

The collection features works by renowned artists such as Van Gogh, Cézanne, Picasso, Degas, and Modigliani, as well as antique furniture and other decorative arts. One of the collection highlights is Van Gogh’s Wagons de Chemin de Fer . 

Polish off your one day in Avignon with some delicious Provencal cuisine such as bouillabaisse (fish stew), langoustines (shellfish), pissaladière (savory tart), or ratatouille (vegetable dish).

There’s a wealth of both trendy and historic eateries in Avignon. I mention a few below that are fantastic. But you’ll definitely need to reserve in advance.

Restaurant Sevin is near the Pope’s palace and has locally sourced seasonal fresh food and a beautiful terrace.

Avenio is a one star Michelin restaurant offering up imaginative French and Mediterranean food. L’Agape gives you a modern twist on French classics and boasts a chic industrial decor.

After dinner, you might take a leisurely stroll through the city to enjoy the lively ambiance and the beautiful illuminated monuments.

Alternatively, you could attend an evening performance. The Opéra Grand Avignon is a prominent venue for classical opera, theater, and dance performances.

The gorgeous Neo-Classical facade has grand entrance, flanked by large columns and topped with a triangular pediment adorned with sculptures of famous composers like Mozart and Beethoven.

The interior of the Opera House is just as stunning, with a large and ornate foyer adorned with chandeliers and elaborate decorations. The main auditorium has plush red velvet seating, intricate moldings, and a large stage.

Tips For A One Day In Avignon Itinerary

Here are some must know tips for spending 1 day in Avignon.

1. How To Get To Avignon

If you are driving to Avignon, be forewarned that parking in the city is a nightmare! It’s easiest to head straight to the parking garage near the Pope’s Palace, called the Parking Palais des Papes.

Avignon has a major train station called Avignon Centre (Gare d’Avignon Centre). It’s well connected to other major cities in France and neighboring countries.

There are several high-speed trains (TGV) that run daily from Paris to Avignon, with a travel time of around 2:40. Other major cities connected to Avignon by train include Lyon, Marseille, and Nice.

Avignon can be reached by plane via the Avignon-Provence Airport (AVN), which is located about 5 miles from the city center. Alternatively, travelers can fly into the Marseille Provence Airport (MRS), which is about an hour’s drive from Avignon.

You can book a private transfer from Avignon Airport or a transfer from Marseille Airport .

2. How To Get Around Avignon

Avignon’s old town is compact and easily walkable, so you can explore most of the attractions on foot.

However, if you prefer to use public transportation, you can use buses, the bike-sharing system called Vélopop, or taxis. Taxis are at designated taxi stands throughout the city.

3. Where To Stay in Avignon

Avignon has some nice nests to lay your head.

One of the top-rated options is the Hotel d’Europe , located in a 16th century building in the heart of the city. This elegant hotel features a Michelin-starred restaurant, a spa, and luxurious rooms and suites decorated in a traditional French style.

Another popular choice is the La Mirande . It’s a 5 star hotel housed in a fully restored 14th century mansion that was once a cardinal’s palace. There’s a Michelin-starred restaurant, a a beautiful garden, and opulent rooms and suites.

For a more modern experience, the Hotel Le Cloitre Saint Louis offers sleek and stylish accommodations in a converted 16th century building. The Hotel de l’Horloge is housed in a former 19th century townhouse and features a pool and a fitness center.

4. When To Visit Avignon

Like most places in southern France, Avignon is at its best in spring and fall when the weather is mild. Summer is hot and will be crowded.

But you may want to visit then to attend the Festival d’Avignon . It’s one of the most important performing arts festivals in France, and it takes place every year in July.

The festival typically runs for about three weeks. It features a wide range of theater, dance, music, and other performances, as well as exhibitions and other cultural events.

5. Is Avignon Worth Visiting?

It’s worth spending one day in Avignon just to see the Pope’s Palace! Plus, Avignon has a nice old town tailor made for strolling and some excellent restaurants.

But, I will admit, the city is primarily known for its historic attractions, rather than its quaintness.

If you are prioritizing the charming tiny villages in Provence or don’t have that much time on your itinerary, you might skip Avignon in favor of other destinations.

6. Is One Day In Avignon Enough?

One day in Avignon will give you a taste of the city’s charm and history. It’s certainly not enough time to explore everything the city has to offer. But one day is enough to see the top attractions.

7. More Than One Day In Avignon?

If you have extra time and like cities, Avignon makes an ideal base for exploring the region’s charming towns and famous attractions.

From Avignon, you can easily take day trips to Arles, St. Remy, Nimes, Aix-en-Provence, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, or the Luberon villages.

If you don’t have a car or would like to book guided day trips from Avignon, you can check out these great options:

• half day wine tour at Chateauneuf de Pape
• half day tour of Uzes, Nimes, and Pont du Gard
• half day Luberon Valley tour
• full day best of Provence tour
• half day trip to Arles and the Camargue

I hope you’ve enjoyed my one day in Avignon itinerary. You may find these other France travel guides useful:

• 3 day itinerary for Paris
• 5 day itinerary for Paris
• Hidden gems in Paris
• Best Museums in Paris
• Beautiful villages of Brittany
• Beautiful villages in Normandy
• 10 day itinerary for southern France
• Top Attractions in Arles
• Charming hidden gems in Provence
• Hilltop villages of the Luberon Valley

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Last Updated on February 18, 2024 by Leslie Livingston

One Day in Avignon – Itinerary & Best Tips

Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France This article may contain compensated links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

Visit Avignon, France

Avignon is one of the most beautiful cities in France and an excellent base to explore the Luberon and other parts of Provence. Located in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur , Avignon is a must-stop for any Provence road trip , and some of the best road trips in France make sure to go through Avignon.

Avignon can also be an excellent weekend getaway from Paris by train ; the train ride from Paris to Avignon takes less than 3 hours!

We spent three days in Avignon and used the city as a base camp to explore the hilltop villages in Luberon and the closest lavender fields on a Luberon road trip . During our stay, we made sure to spend one day in Avignon to visit the city.

Do you know the French expression ‘Heureux comme un Pape en Avignon’ (happy like a Pope in Avignon)? Well, even if you are not a Pope, it’s not difficult to have fun in Avignon!

What to do in Avignon for a day? Here’s the ultimate Avignon itinerary with the top things to do in Avignon in one day. This 1 day in Avignon itinerary works well for an Avignon day trip from somewhere else or for a short visit as part of a Provence road trip.

How Many Days in Avignon? One day in Avignon is enough to visit the city’s main sights. With 2 days in Avignon or more, you can visit other beautiful places in the region on day trips from Avignon or guided tours. Avignon is an excellent base camp to explore other places in the Luberon, with accommodation options to suit all budgets.

One Day in Avignon: Where to Stay?

If Avignon is part of a French road trip, spend at least one night in the city to have a full day to visit Avignon. For your Avignon itinerary, we recommend staying central, close to the main sights. 

Hotel Central has a great location downtown, 300m from the train station. The hotel comes with comfortable rooms (on the small side but well-equipped), a pleasant and shady garden, and an on-site bar.

Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis Avignon . Are you looking for a special treat? This hotel is located in a beautiful 16th-century construction with original arches and vaulted ceilings. It is surrounded by a beautiful garden and an outdoor swimming pool.

Avignon Grand Hotel is located just outside the walls, between the walled city and the train station. Rooms are large and bright, with a seating area, and there’s a swimming pool and a shady garden which are essential when it’s too hot in the summer.

>> Click here for more accommodation options in Avignon

What to See in Avignon in One Day – A Detailed Avignon Itinerary

What to see in Avignon in one day? Here’s the list of the best things to do in Avignon, France. For this one-day in Avignon itinerary, we recommend arriving in Avignon the night before so you have one full day to visit Avignon.

TIP: This Avignon walking tour with an expert guide includes entrance and a guided tour of the Papal Palace and has good reviews

Sunrise at Pont d’Avignon

The Pont d’Avignon is one of the top places to visit in Avignon, and it is the first stop of this 1 day in Avignon itinerary.

If you can make it, try to visit the Pont d’Avignon at sunrise. The light is perfect, the Rhône River is like a mirror, and there is little car traffic.

Built in the 12th century, the Pont d’Avignon – or Pont Saint Bénézet, its real name – is the oldest construction built on the Rhône River between Lyon and the Mediterranean Sea. It originally spanned the river between Avignon and Villeneuve-Les-Avignon on the opposite bank, was some 900 meters long and four meters wide, and consisted of 22 arches.

During its existence, the bridge was severely damaged and reconstructed several times until the 17th century, when it was definitively abandoned. Today, it is possible to visit the two chapels on the bridge ( you can buy your tickets to the bridge here ) and learn the story of its construction, the legend of its founder, Saint Bénézet, and the origin of the world-famous French song for kids ‘Sur le Pont d’Avignon. ‘

DID YOU KNOW? The famous song ‘Sur le Pont d’Avignon’ (On the Bridge of Avignon) was originally composed (though with a different melody) by the 16th-century musician Pierre Certon. The original title was ‘ Sous le Pont d’Avignon’  ( Under the Bridge of Avignon ) because, in Medieval times, there were popular cafés with dancing and other activities on Barthelasse Island, under the arches of the original bridge. And that’s what we did! We danced and sang the song under the bridge.

Stroll around the Old City

If you spend a day in Avignon, take the time to explore the Old City, surrounded by impressive fortifications. The Ramparts of Avignon are listed as UNESCO World Heritage, and they were built between 1355-1370 to protect the city from the assaults of mercenaries.

After visiting the Pont d’Avignon, enter the walled city through the Porte du Rocher and wander around the narrow medieval streets at your own pace. Some places to visit in the Old City that you don’t want to miss are:

• Place de l’Horloge , the heart of the city, with the City Hall and the Opera-Theater built in the 19th century
• Hotel des Monnaies (Place du Palais), with its beautiful Baroque façade, is also listed UNESCO World Heritage
• Quartier de la Balance , which still has some houses of the 15th century. It is a lively neighborhood with shops of regional products and souvenirs
• Rue Petite Fusterie , with beautiful private mansions built in the 17th and 18th centuries
• Rue des Teinturiers , with its 19th-century water mills for the tanneries, bookshops, and little restaurants
• Les Halles , which hosts the city’s covered market

PETRARCA & LAURA IN AVIGNON. If you are a fan of the Florentine poet Petrarca (Petrarch), you may know that it was in Avignon where he met and fell in love with Laura. This love was impossible (she was married), but Petrarca never forgot her, and he dedicated the famous collection of poems Il Canzoniere to her. The places to visit in Avignon that still remind us of this impossible love are:

• Chapelle des Cordeliers (14th century) in Rue des Teinturiers, where Laura is supposed to rest eternally.
• Chapelle Sainte Claire (14th century) in Rue du Roi René with rue Givrolas is here where Petrarca met Laura for the first time; it was love at first sight!

Visit the Musée du Petit Palais (if you have time)

If you started your Avignon day trip at sunrise, you may have time to visit the Petit Palais Museum.

The Petit Palais , located at one end of the Palace of the Popes Square, is one of the leading European museums of medieval art and also UNESCO World Heritage. This is the Palace where the Popes stayed during the construction works of the enormous Palace, and it later became the Palace of the Archbishop of Avignon.

This wonderful museum can be the perfect introduction to the visit to the Palace of the Popes, so we suggest visiting it before the Palace.

Visit the Palace of the Popes

In 1309, under the influence of King Philippe Le Bel , the Popes moved to Avignon. Finished in 1352, the Palace of the Popes is the world’s most important Gothic Palace. A high place in medieval history, once the center of intrigues and passions, the Palace of the Popes holds a triple record:

• It is the biggest Gothic palace in Europe (15,000 m2)
• It is the only palace built for a Pope outside Rome
• It is the fastest construction of its time (finished in less than 20 years!)

The Palace of the Popes , one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in France , is one of the most famous landmarks in France and a must-see on a day in Avignon. Even if you have seen the Palace many times in pictures, nothing prepares you for the wow moment once you are on site. It’s just incredible!

We recommend visiting the Palace of the Popes after lunch when it’s too hot outside ( book your skip-the-line tickets here ). Before entering the Palace, stop for a few minutes to admire the main façade, now illuminated by the sun, making it more impressive. Be sure to buy skip-the-line tickets in advance; waiting in line under the sun is no fun!

With the ticket comes an interactive audio-guide tablet that guides you through the different rooms and halls. The device shows you some of the rooms with the original decorations, and once you have understood how it works (it takes some time…), it is fun. Allow two hours to visit the Palace.  

TIP: Save time and money with this combo ticket Palais des Papes + Pont d’Avignon!

Climb to the Top of the Rocher des Doms

After visiting the Palace, walk to the Parc du Palais des Papes , on the top of Rocher des Doms, for some fresh air and great views. The Rocher des Doms is the highest point of the city, on which the Palace was built.

At the park entrance stands the Cathedral Notre-Dame des-Doms , which is the oldest religious building in the city, dating back to the 12th century. You cannot miss it with the shining statue of the Virgin Mary on the top of the bell tower.

Some of the Popes of Avignon chose the Cathedral for their eternal rest. Well, that was until the French Revolution when, for example, some people decided to play football with the crane of Pope John XXII (and other stories…). His funerary chapel contains the diocesan treasure made up of numerous liturgical ornaments and his unfortunate crane. The head-ball was recovered by a doctor when it was dumped in a hospital.

Rue des Teinturiers

After the sightseeing, head to Rue des Teinturiers . In the evening, it becomes a lively street with bars and terraces perfect for a French apéritif with friends or a casual dinner.

This oh-so-pretty street traces the Vaucluse Canal, and it was the center of Avignon’s silk spinning and dyeing industry from the 1300s up to the 1800s.

Rue des Teinturiers is one of the oldest streets of Avignon, shaded by tall old plane trees and with beautiful stone houses on the other side of the canal linked to the cobbled street by little bridges. There are still four picturesque water-wheels mills suspended from the embankment next to the water and some interesting buildings (look at the information panels).

This day trip to Avignon ends here. Choose one of the lively restaurants on this street (or check our restaurant recommendations at the end of this post) to close this one day in Avignon with a good French meal.

Spend 2 Days in Avignon (if you can …)

Is Avignon worth visiting for two days or more? Avignon is a small city, and we have easily squeezed what to see in Avignon in one day. But why rush? You are in Provence , where people like to take their time to enjoy the small pleasures of life.

If you have the time, take it easy and spend 2 days in Avignon to enjoy the city at a more relaxed pace and some other sights around. Here’s the list of some beautiful options for an extra day in Avignon, France.

>> Take a shuttle boat to explore Ile de la Barthelasse , the biggest river island in France. This place is great for a stroll, a bike ride, or simply admiring the Pont d’Avignon from another point of view.

>> Visit Villeneuve-Lez-Avignon , on the other side of the River Rhône, and its important historical heritage. In the 14th century, Villeneuve became home to Popes, cardinals, and other religious men who built impressive fortified palaces, convents, and beautiful churches.

>> Visit the hilltop villages of Luberon on a Luberon Villages day tour . Explore the countryside and some of the most beautiful small towns of Provence perched on cliff tops in the middle of stunning landscapes. During the summer months, stop to admire the Provence lavender fields in bloom.

>> Visit the prestigious wine-making village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape on a half-day tour with some wine tastings.

>> Take this Lavender tour to the Luberon Valley and Sault when it is the right season (June to August, depending on the area). If you have a car, visit one of the wine cellars open to the public for tastings (with or without a tour) and wine shopping.

Practical Information for your Avignon Day Trip

How to travel to avignon.

BY TRAIN: The most eco-friendly way to travel from Paris to Avignon is by TGV train. Trains leave Paris from Gare de Lyon train station, and the ride to Avignon TGV train station takes less than 3 hours. Avignon is also easy to reach by train from Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Lyon, and Dijon.

>> Click here to book your train tickets to Avignon

BY CAR: If you decide to visit Avignon as part of a French road trip, check out this road trip from Paris to Nice , this (seasonal) Provence Lavender route , or this south of France road trip itinerary , which include a stop in Avignon. You can also use the car to explore other sites in the Luberon on day trips from Avignon.

One Day in Avignon: Where to Eat

LE MOUTARDIER DU PAPE: with its perfect location just in front of the Palace (15 Place du Palais des Papes), Le Moutardier du Pape is one of the best restaurants in the city, and it offers interesting dishes prepared with fresh, local produce. Inside, a fresco evokes the career of this mustard maker of the Pope. When the weather is good, its terrace on the square is quite magical.

RESTAURANT DES TEINTURIERS: located on 5 Rue des Teinturiers, enjoy contemporary French homemade cuisine with local products inside or on the terrace. The menu changes according to the seasons and what’s in the market, but it is always delicious!

L’ÉPICERIE: the pretty, out-of-time Saint-Pierre Square is the perfect setting for tasting their generous cuisine from the south.

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Avignon Travel Guide

Famous for its walls, among other things, the Avignon is located in south-central France in the region of Provence. The city used to be the seat of the papacy for about 67 years. Today, it is one of France’s leading tourist destinations and home to some of the most brilliant museums and splendid architecture. Place de l’Horloge is the city’s central square while the Pope’s palace is another attention-grabbing landmark. Avignon is one of the great French cities and I hope that this travel guide will help you explore it.

Towering above the majestic Rhône river, Avignon was the home of the pope from 1309 to 1377 as seven popes ruled the Catholic world when Italy was deemed highly unsafe. Between 1334 and 1335, this vast and rich structure was built as it is revered as the largest Gothic palace in the world. It served as both a fortress and palace. 

Here is a Detailed Travel Guide on What to See and Do in the city of Avignon: 

Avignon’s museums offer a tremendous array of collections. Be lost in the world of prehistory at the Musée Lapidaire (Lapidary Museum). There you will discover paintings from the Middle Ages at the Petit Palais museum. Fine arts at the Musée Calvet. The impressionists at Angladon. Decorative arts at Musée Louis Vouland (Louis Vouland Museum) and modern art at the Collection Lambert. 

The city also has a well-known theatre festival, as it is the host for contemporary works in the performing arts. Also, Avignon is an essential center for culinary peculiar to the Provence region. Illustrious chefs prepare local and innovative menus in alluring restaurants throughout the city. And you can have a great time on a wine tour as the city is the capital of the Côtes-du-Rhône wines, as you relish every taste. 

Accommodation

Throughout the city are fascinating attractions that will remind you of how beautiful France is. And although there are many good hotels in Avignon, they get quickly booked-up when the summer tourist season begins. 

How to get there

Avignon is easy to travel to by train from Marseille, Paris, and other European cities. And although it does have its own airport, lots of visitors arrive through the Marseille Provence airport. 

Palais des Papes

You cannot apprehend the scale of the 14th-century Papal Palace unless you see it in real life. In trying to describe the size; you could fit four gothic cathedrals in there, and it has 24 rooms to visit on the tour. The Palais des Papes is the biggest attraction in Avignon’s World Heritage site and one of France’s most popular and priceless historical buildings. 

You can secure an audio-guide for the full story, and pause in the papal apartments with walls decorated with frescoes paints almost 700years ago by the gothic artist Matteo Giovanetti. 

Musée du Petit Palais (The Petit Palace Museum)

Among the cast as the Palais des Papes is a smaller renaissance palace on the square’s north side. It slightly has the likeness of a fortress because it used to be a citadel during the Western Schism that trailed the Avignon Papacy. As you will see, the palace has hardly changed since the beginning of the 16th-century; when the future Pope Julius II furbished up the building and added his coat of arms to the south façade. 

The museum houses about 337 paintings and 600 sculptures by Italian and French artists from the gothic and renaissance eras. The pope bought it in 1335 as a house, and it was used as a lodge for distinguished visitors (like Cesare Borgia in 1948, Francis I in 1533, and the Duke of Orleans in 1660). Strolling past the art, you will see how specific art movements developed from the Siennese School of the early period to the Renaissance developed. And if you are a lover of 15th-century European arts, there are lots to see here; from paintings to sculpture. 

Old Town of Avignon 

Walking tours can be breathtaking, especially when you stroll in a group. It is always pleasant to navigate a historical place as you see engaging, attractive spots. Walking in the old Avignon can be everything, and that could be the height of your tourist’s adventure. The old Avignon extends around the imposing Palais des Papes. And you can pick a map before setting off along the narrow cobbled streets which fill the old town. It used to be secured by the circular wall as you will see.

Do not miss King René’s house in the rue Roi- René. The rue des Teinteuriers which follows the river Sorgue, offering the waters that the 18th and 19th-century cloth dryers who lived there needed. Do not forget the Quartier de la Balance that flows to the Pont Bénézet, and the Place de l’Horloge, an enormous square shaded by trees with theatre, town hall, and many pavement cafes. You can also walk a little further to the 15th-century Palace du Roure for the courtyard and gateway that you can visit.

Rocher des Doms Park

How about a trip to adore nature? You will find this fantastic park, an oasis of green peace, north of the Palais des Papes. Find your way past the well-mowed lawn and fountains to the summit for a fantastic view of Avignon and the river. Just below you is the embellished Madonna gleams on the tower of the Cathedral Notre-Doms in front of the Pope’s Palace. You can get everything you need for a picnic in the Halles Market Place. It is comfortably poised while you eat some cheese, fresh bread, with some wine; overlooking the shining city below.

Petit Train

If you do not mind everyone staring at you as a tourist (not in a weird way though), the road train is a handy way to see the city’s landmarks. Also, that will help you find your way around a city that can be confusing for some visitors. 

Covering the famous bridge, the picturesque streets, and neighborhoods around the center, and the Rocher des Doms which is on the left bank of the Rhône would take about 40 minutes.

Île de la Barthelasse

Here is another top spot you should add to your itinerary before taking on Avignon. With 700 hectares, the Île de la Barthelasse is one of Europe’s largest river islands. It belongs to the city and is linked to Avignon by the Pont Daladier. Although one might find it more fitting to grab the free ferry across the Rhône. 

With peaceful orchards with only clusters of houses, the island is mostly quiet. The island’s highest point is 18 meters, and as such, the Île de la Barthelasse is exposed to the current. Hiring a bike in the summer and having a lavish picnic at the banks of the Rhone will be a brilliant idea. 

Rue des Teinturiers 

This was the flourishing center of Avignon’s silk spinning and dyeing industry from the 14th-century to the 19th-century. You will still find enchanting clues in the form of four water-wheels suspended from the bulwark next to the water. The gorgeous stone houses on the other side of the canal are connected to the cobblestone street by little bridges. And, the entire way is shaded by tall old plane trees. Do not forget to visit the Maison du IV de Chiffre. It is one of Avignon’s oldest mansions, and the home of Jean-Henri Fabre, the respected 19th-century entomologist at no.14

Basilique Saint-Pierre d’Avignon

According to a local folktale, the Basillique’s Saint-Pierre d’Avignon church’s predecessor was destroyed by the Moors in the 7th-century. The gothic buildings that are currently at the site were started in the 14th-century during the papacy of Innocent IV, who was the fifth Avignon Pope.

Just before you make your way into the church, take a little moment to adore the massive wooden tours. They were sculpted from walnut in 1551 by Antoine Volard. You will also find a wealth of art to see inside as we, like the decorated choir from the 18th-century, renaissance, and baroque paintings, and the 1400s relics of Saint-Pierre de Luxembourg with his real cardinal’s robes and hat. 

Pont St-Bénézet

This site is popular among both visitors and locals. It is also known as the Pont d’Avignon, the mythic bridge from the 12th-century connects France with the Papal Territory. The bridge was positioned on the tightest part of the bend in the Rhône to minimize its exposure to the river’s cruel, strong currents.

There used to be 22 arches, of which you will see four today, and the bridge was 915 meters long- an impressive length for the time it was built. After a few hundred years, the bridge was destroyed by flood and rebuilt until an unfortunate flood in the 17th-century carried off most of the arches. 

However, in the midst of the ruins is a piece of beauty. You can visit the gatehouse that defended the crossing, the stranded western terminal, the Tour Philippe-le-Bel and the Chapel of St. Nicholas on top of the second arch. In addition, the new museum show films and interactive media that display how the bridge morphed over the centuries. 

Musée Calvet

The Calvet museum has been open to the public for over two centuries. That was after Esprit Calvet, a local doctor and collector, donated his art, cabinet of curiosities, and library to the city of Avignon. This diverse collection has since been expanding by donations from many collectors and contains ancient artifacts, an array of decorative and fine art, as well as cultural artifacts from different parts of the world.

There is even a considerable amount of exciting things to see, but the part many come to see is the Egyptology department. Among other things, they display a sarcophagus, canopic jar, and offering table. You will also see sculptures and silverware sit with French, Flemish, and Italian paintings from the 16th to the 19th century. 

Markets and Special Shopping in Avignon   

The contemporary covered market,  Les Halles,  in place Pie, is the perfect spot for some heavy shopping. About 40 different stalls sell the local produce of Provence from Tuesday to Sunday, from 6 am to 1 pm. The flower market at the  Place des Carmes  opens on Saturday mornings and the flea market on Sundays. And from June to September on the 3rd Monday of each month in the  Allees de l’Oulle;  a food market brings small scale producers to the city. You are sure to experience a massive array of food on weekends at  St-Michel  and  place Crillon.  You can start your shopping spree with some chocolates at one of the best chocolatiers, Puyricard. Also, it has branches all over Southern France.  

Avignon Events and Festivals

The city hosts cultural fares, musical fests, art exhibits, and a lot of other social events that attracts visitor from far and near. Of all the events that the city hosts, the Avignon festival is the most popular, both locally and globally. This festival kicked off sometime in 1947 Jean Vilar, the actor-director, whose aim was to bring theatre to the people with top actors like Jeanne Moreau and Jean Negroni. 

The Avignon festival is observed every year in July. The now 3-week-long event dominates the central courtyard of the Pope’s Palace which has a 2000 capacity. Featuring over 40 different performances of theatre, dance, fine arts exhibitions, and music throughout Avignon, the festival’s appeal is quite huge. In fact, companies from around the world have performed works from Shakespeare to Mikhail Bulgakov, Euripides to Chekhov. Another event is the Avignon Public Off which takes over 100 smaller locations. 

Avignon Travel Blog – Conclusion

Avignon is full of history and a vibrant city with a lively social and cultural life. Whether it is the cinemas or museums, shops, wine, cuisine, events, tourists always come in their troves for one attraction or the other. Avignon is that welcoming.

Peter is the editor of France Travel Blog. He has traveled to France many times and is ready to share the knowledge in this travel guide for France.

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How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Avignon, France

This enchanting French city is home to a historic palace, delicious food, and one of the oldest hotels in the country.

Lindsay Cohn is a writer, editor, and avid traveler who has visited 45 countries across six continents — and counting. She contributes to Travel + Leisure, Hotels Above Par, InsideHook, Well+Good, The Zoe Report, and more.

A must-visit on any trip to the south of France , Avignon oozes history and culture. Set on the Rhône river, it’s best known for the enormous Palais des Papes (Popes' Palace), which reflects its pinnacle as the seat of the Catholic papacy in the 14th century. However, the ever-enchanting city actually dates back to Roman times and also possesses plenty of other photogenic attractions such as Rocher des Doms and Pont Saint-Bénézet.

A delicious destination to say the least, it’s home to a storied Provençal market, as well as many superb restaurants, from haute French dining to neighborhood bistros. Character-rich accommodations also await travelers after sightseeing and savoring. With direct trains from Paris, many travelers use Avignon as a springboard to explore the rest of Provence. But it’s certainly worth spending a few days here.

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To help you plan the perfect trip to Avignon, we tapped three travel experts who also happen to be full-blown Francophiles to get the inside scoop on the best things to do in the capital of the Vaucluse department.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• Visit the massive Palais des Papes (Popes' Palace) for a glimpse into the city’s papal history. 
• Get a taste of local life at Les Halles d'Avignon. 
• Snooze in classical French style at Hôtel La Mirande. 
• Sample Provençal cuisine at a Michelin-rated restaurant or a cozy corner bistro. 
• Sip and swirl world-class red wine in nearby Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Christophe Bielsa

Best Hotels and Resorts

Hôtel la mirande.

Located right next to the Palais des Papes, Hôtel La Mirande is a five-star respite with a lovely atmosphere and rooms decorated in classical French style. “I love the underground space for cooking classes and private dinners ... as well as the cozy fireside bar for afternoon tea in the winter,” says Florence Gaudin, product manager at French Side Travel and on-the-ground guide partner for Black Tomato .  

Auberge de Cassagne & Spa

For a refuge that’s just a short drive outside the city center, set your sights on Auberge de Cassagne & Spa . “A gorgeous Provençal house-turned-hotel with 35 impeccably decorated rooms, excellent spa facilities, a superb fine-dining restaurant, and beautiful gardens, it really feels like a luxury countryside retreat and is always a winner with our most discerning clients,” says Graham Carter, co-founder of Unforgettable Travel Company and leading France specialist. 

La Divine Comédie

“My go-to suggestion for travelers who want a boutique stay that’s right in the heart of Avignon, La Divine Comédie took nearly seven years to rebuild,” says Carter. “Gilles, a stylist from Paris, and his partner, Amaury, converted a derelict building into a beautiful five-key, homestay-style property.” Each bedroom is individually styled and full of character with dozens of hand-picked art pieces and decorative accents. 

Hotel d'Europe

One of the oldest hotels in France, Hotel d'Europe traces its roots back to the 16th century. Since then, it has been lovingly refurbished, but still retains a timelessness and enduring sense of regality. Travelers remark about the genuine hospitality and sophisticated decor. The shaded terrace is a lovely spot for a cocktail during the warmer months. And you can’t beat the location, just steps from the old city walls and Palais des Papes. 

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Best Things to Do

Palais des papes.

Surrounded by medieval stone ramparts, the Palais des Papes (Popes' Palace) is a fortress and palace that served as the papal residence for most of the 14th century. Whether you’re interested in the religious or historical aspects of the UNESCO-listed site, it’s worth visiting to see one of the most emblematic landmarks in all of France. 

Les Halles d'Avignon

A great place to get a taste of local life, Les Halles d'Avignon is a historic indoor market with many vendors selling traditional local products. Jason Susinski, director of product for Kensington Tours and Provence expert, encourages visitors to browse the selection of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, seafood, and baked goods. It also has a lovely vertical garden and cafes to stop for a coffee break in between shopping. 

Oleg Anisimov/500px/Getty Images

Musée du Petit Palais

While most of the tourist attention focuses squarely on the Palais des Papes, it’s far from the only cultural attraction worth checking out in Avignon. First opened in 1976, Musée du Petit Palais boasts an impressive collection of Renaissance paintings, from local papals to those brought by Italian clergy.

Rocher des Doms

Lace up your hiking boots (though sneakers will certainly suffice) and get outside to soak in the panoramic views from Rocher des Doms, a peaceful park with gardens, fountains, and a privileged vantage point overlooking the city, river, and famous Pont Saint-Bénézet. 

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

While there’s lots to do in Avignon itself, fans of old-world vin won’t want to miss the chance to sip and swirl the nectar of the gods on a day trip to nearby Châteauneuf-du-Pape (about 25 minutes away). One of the most well-known wine regions in all of France , it’s famous for producing top-quality reds and brims with many charming vineyards for tastings.

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Best Restaurants

Hiély lucullus.

One of the best restaurants in Avignon, Hiély Lucullus blends the cuisines of Provence and Peru in a deliciously creative way. The flavors and soul of both places come to life through tasting menus. Because it’s popular and books out so far in advance, Carter recommends securing a reservation well ahead of your trip. 

Fou de Fafa

Looking for something a bit more laid-back that’s still guaranteed to be memorable and downright delicious? Fou de Fafa never disappoints. It’s casual and inviting, with homespun charm, elegant dishes, and a lovely terrace for an alfresco dinner. 

Another resplendent option for lunch or dinner, and a favorite of Gaudin's, Avenio treats patrons to delectable plates like a goat cheese tart with smoked duck breast and an herb-crusted baked cod that channels the legacy of Provençal cuisine while bringing something new to the table. The setting is chic and modern yet relaxed. Not surprisingly, the tables book up fast. 

La Fourchette

La Fourchette is an elegant neighborhood bistro serving traditional recipes like smoked haddock salad, curry fried oysters, and ratatouille made with seasonal ingredients. Photographs, books, and wood inject the space with heaps of warmth and personality. 

Foodies and history buffs both flock to Sevin in equal measure. Set in a medieval residence next door to the Palais des Papes, it’s a historic gem for contemporary eats. If the weather and availability allow, try to snag a table on the terrace. And don’t forget to peruse the wonderful wine list. 

Aleh Varanishcha/Getty Images

Best Time to Visit

While many travelers pack Avignon into a summer Provence itinerary, Gaudin is partial to the months of May, June, September, and October because of the great weather (it’s less hot than peak summer). Plus, you still get the advantage of long, sunny days to roam and explore. March and April tend to be quiet — with the exception of the week leading up to Easter — so it’s a good option if you’re looking to avoid the crowds and save a few bucks. 

How to Get There

High-speed, direct trains run from Paris to Avignon throughout the day. The journey takes about two hours and 30 minutes and costs $62. You can easily pick up a rental car from Sixt at the Avignon TGV train station (Gare d'Avignon TGV) to explore beyond the city, too. International flights also land at Marseille Provence Airport (MRS), which is about 90 minutes away. 

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How to Get Around

It’s easy to navigate Avignon on foot. With so much to see and do in the surrounding countryside of Provence — from wineries and olive oil mills to lavender fields and medieval villages — Susinski recommends arranging a private guided tour to gain entry into some local experiences or renting a car to explore at your leisure.

Home » Travel Guides » France » 15 Best Avignon Tours

15 Best Avignon Tours

Located along the west bank of the Rhône River in southeastern France, Avignon is a relatively small town that was once one of the continent’s centers of Catholicism. As such, it was chosen as the home of Pope Clement V in the early part of the 14th century.

The region is particularly well-known for its scenic lavender fields, abundant natural beauty, and a wine industry that’s among the country’s most celebrated.

The old portion of the city center is characterized by narrow streets, quaint cafes full of old-world charm, and impressive ramparts left over from the medieval-era.

Below are 15 of the best tours of Avignon and the surrounding countryside.

1. 3-Hour Walking Tour with Wine Tasting

It’s been proven in high-dollar laboratories in far-flung corners of the globe that three hours is the optimum time for tours that include walking and drinking.

This short but value-packed tour of Avignon is an excellent option for visitors working with limited time, as it gives guests a surprisingly thorough overview of what makes the town so special.

You’ll learn about how Avignon was the center of the papacy in the 14th century, and how it’s always been known for natural beauty, wine, and architecture.

Tours include an English-speaking guide, tickets to the Pope’s palace, and wine tasting in a local restaurant.

2. Full-Day Roman and Medieval Heritage Tour

The village of Les Baux de Provence is widely accepted as one of the most beautiful and historic villages in all of France.

Characterized by a massive stone fortress, it’s one of the region’s most popular attractions and is easily accessible by a full-day tour from Avignon.

Guests will learn about the village’s history that pre-dates the Roman-era, as well as exploring its food, culture, history, and economy.

The tour includes olive oil and wine tastings, as well as stops at vineyards, the Alpilles Mountains, and the city of Nîmes before returning to Avignon.

Tours last between 9 ½ and 10 hours and involve walking, so wear comfortable shoes and pack clothes for a variety of weather conditions.

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3. Wine Education with Picnic Lunch at Private Chateau

Did you know that true wine experts and aficionados use all five senses to enjoy the grape-based intoxicant to its fullest?

If that seems odd, fear not; on this wine education tour, you’ll learn how to do just that.

Tours include stops at two wineries in the Alpes Côte d’Azur region, where a wide spectrum of award-winning wines are produced.

Guests will learn about wine, tour the facilities, sample reds, whites, and rosés at a private chateau, and enjoy a delectable picnic-style lunch along with their guide and hosts.

Round-trip transportation to and from your Avignon hotel via air-conditioned minibus are included as well.

4. Full-Day Lavender Tour

The lavender fields in and around Avignon are generally at the height of their bloom between mid-June and mid-July.

For visitors who’ll be in the area then, experiencing the fields often ends up being one of the most memorable experiences of their trips.

The color is nothing short of spectacular, and the aromas carried by the wind can be downright intoxicating.

The village of Sault is the region’s lavender epicenter. Before heading off to other attractions, guests will have time to take in the amazing sights.

Tours also stop at a museum dedicated to lavender, village markets, and towering cliffs of red ochre.

5. 5-Hour Olive and Wine in Les Baux-de-Provence

Though France is more acclaimed for its wines, it’s also an important olive growing region that has been churning out some of the world’s best olive oils for centuries.

Les Baux-de-Provence is just a short drive from Avignon. It is known for both wine and olive oil, making it a great day-trip option for those interested in a culinary-based jaunt into the countryside.

The 5-hour tour includes stops in multiple towns, wine and olive oil tastings, and historical and cultural narration from the guide along the way.

Hotel pickup and drop-off and all entrance fees are included.

6. Châteauneuf du Pape Wine Tour

Avignon and the surrounding areas tend to draw tourists interested in food and wine, medieval history, and art.

Thankfully for visitors with a wide range of interests, many tours like this one include aspects of all three.

Nearby Provence is situated between the Alpilles Mountains and the Rhône River. It is brimming with quaint charm, pastoral scenes, and lots of great food and drinks.

This tour focuses on the vineyards at Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which are most well-known for their robust reds.

Guests will drive through the vineyards, learn about the region’s winemaking traditions, and see the ruins of the Pope’s summer home.

7. Private Walking Tour of Avignon

Avignon is among France’s most charming towns, and though this two-hour tour is on the short side, it packs a lot of value for those working with limited time and budgets.

Along with their guide, guests will walk amongst some of the city’s most prominent attractions, including the Palace of the Popes and the impressive Pont St. Bénezet Bridge.

The area is full of medieval walls, monuments to prominent historical figures, and tree-lined streets brimming with quaint cafés, shops, and galleries.

While en route, tour participants will learn about the Avignon’s central role in Christianity dating back to the 14th century, while discovering things they may want to explore on their own when the tour is over.

8. Magic Luberon Private Tour

From provincial markets and historic abbeys to stunning lavender fields and villages from the medieval-era, Avignon and the surrounding areas are truly diverse and spectacular.

This nine-hour tour is a bit on the long side, but for visitors with an entire day to spare, it’s a great value.

From downtown Avignon, guests will set out with their guide on the quintessential provincial experience.

Tour highlights include the Fontaine de Vaucluse, the Sénanque Abbey from the 12th century, the historic village of Roussillon, and the amazing lavender fields spread across a nearby plateau.

Lunch is available at midday but isn’t included in the tour’s cost.

9. Private Guided Bike Tour of St. Remy from Avignon

Bicycles are great ways to experience the wonders of Avignon. For fit and activity- minded travelers, bike tours are often one of the most memorable experiences of their time in town.

In addition to burning calories and breathing tons of clean country air, guests will benefit from the knowledge of their local guide, who will impart snippets of local history that those on larger, more impersonal tours might miss.

Tour stops include St. Remy’s mid-week market, the Monastery of Saint Michel de Frigolet, and a number of fantastic landscapes that provided artistic inspiration to Vincent Van Gogh during the late years of his life.

10. Half-Day Alpilles Terroir and Heritage Tour

With such an abundance and variety of significant sites within just a few miles of Avignon, it’d be a shame not to get out into the countryside and experience them for a full or half-day.

This half-day tour option is packed with attractions, including the Alpilles in Baux-de-Provence National Park, the historic town of St-Rémy-de-Provence, and the Alpilles Nature Preserve.

Tours last about five hours and include significant amounts of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers as the weather can change quickly.

Tours include round-trip transportation to and from a central Avignon location in an air-conditioned bus.

11. Luberon Villages and Market Tour

Few places on earth meld the historical, culinary, and cultural as do cities like Avignon.

Though the Luberon Villages are technically outside city limits, they’re close enough to make day-trips convenient.

This Luberon combo tour is a great option for those who prefer to explore attractions that are slightly off the beaten path.

The tour’s market portion gives visitors the opportunity to rub elbows with locals and experience village life as the townspeople do.

Tours are particularly stunning in the spring when wildflowers and poppies are in bloom. The village of Roussillon that sits atop hills of vibrant ochre is another perennial favorite.

12. Treasures of Provence Full-Day Tour

Walking in Van Gogh’s footsteps is an especially popular activity for art lovers and amateur historians who find themselves in Avignon with free time to kill.

On this full-day tour, guests will experience much of what makes the area so unique, charming, and historic.

In addition to seeing sights that inspired Van Gogh, tour participants will explore Roman-era monuments, witness the spectacular Salvador Dali light show at the Carrières de Lumières, wet their collective whistles at two wine tastings, stroll among the vineyards at Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and visit the picturesque village of Baux de Provence perched on a rocky bluff amid the Alpilles Mountains.

13. Jewish Heritage in Provence 8-Hour Tour

Jewish communities have been present in and around Marseille and Avignon since well before the Roman era.

This 8-hour tour begins in Marseille and explores villages, cemeteries, and synagogues in Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Cavaillon, and Carpentras.

Guests meet their guide at a central Avignon location before setting out on this value-packed tour that includes aspects of history, culture, religion, and science, as well as the mystical and philosophical sides of the Jewish faith.

Tours tend to attract Jews from all over the world. Due to the relatively small size, guests enjoy more personalized service that makes them truly unique and memorable activities.

14. Walking Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket to the Pope’s Palace

Over the centuries, Popes have made it a priority to ensconce themselves in the lap of luxury. For those who want to get a quick glimpse into the good life in years past, this walking tour with a skip-the-line ticket to the Pope’s Palace would be a wise way to spend a few hours.

The palace was incredibly opulent by the standards of the day and is filled with historically significant religious icons and works of art as well.

Guests will also have the opportunity to wander narrow medieval streets, listen to their guide’s narration, and peer down at the Rhône River from the town’s ancient fortified walls.

15. Cooking Workshop with Master Chef

This three-hour cooking class begins at 9:00 am when participants meet their chef-instructor at the Halles d’Avignon Market.

Guests will get acquainted with their guide, learn about the region’s rich food history, and shop for ingredients that will be used later in the kitchen classroom.

For those who aren’t particularly at home in the kitchen, this activity is great: unlike traditional cooking classes, it allows tour guests to get involved in the process from beginning to end without actually doing the cooking.

Instead, you’ll have the chance to watch your instructor, learn about the techniques he’s using, ask questions, and sample the final product.

15 Best Avignon Tours:

• 3-Hour Walking Tour with Wine Tasting
• Full-Day Roman and Medieval Heritage Tour
• Wine Education with Picnic Lunch at Private Chateau
• Full-Day Lavender Tour
• 5-Hour Olive and Wine in Les Baux-de-Provence
• Châteauneuf du Pape Wine Tour
• Private Walking Tour of Avignon
• Magic Luberon Private Tour
• Private Guided Bike Tour of St. Remy from Avignon
• Half-Day Alpilles Terroir and Heritage Tour
• Luberon Villages and Market Tour
• Treasures of Provence Full-Day Tour
• Jewish Heritage in Provence 8-Hour Tour
• Walking Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket to the Pope's Palace
• Cooking Workshop with Master Chef

One Day in Avignon: Best Things to do in Avignon in a Day

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Spending one day in Avignon is always a good idea. Between wandering around the ramparts and historical sites to sitting at a cafe watching the world go by, there are so many wonderful things to do in Avignon in a day.

While you could easily spend a lot of time in this unique city, if you’re short on time, fear not; I’ve got you covered with the best one-day in Avignon itinerary! 

Whether you are here to see the famous Pope’s Palace or you plan to base yourself here for your Provence road trip , this article has what to do in Avignon for the perfect 24 hours. 

This is a full day of everything you’re going to want to see in Avignon!

1. Breakfast at Maison Violette

9 Pl. Saint-Didier, 84000 Avignon

To start your day in Avignon, you’ll need to fuel up. Head to this charming bakery for some croissants, an eclair cafe, and a latte. This is a quick breakfast before you head to the first destination. 

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 7:30 am-7 pm.

2. Les Halles d’Avignon

18 Pl. Pie, 84000 Avignon

After breakfast, it is time to explore an iconic foodie spot in Avignon: Les Halles! This place is packed with stalls selling anything from meats and cheeses to fresh fruits and veggies. There is even a wine shop to purchase the perfect pairing wine.

Spend a little bit of time here to gather your supplies for a picnic later in the day! We purchased a bunch of French cheeses , a bottle of rose, figs, radishes, and blueberries. 

After you make your purchases, it is a good idea to leave that behind at your hotel and then continue on to the next part of your one day in Avignon! 

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 6 am-2 pm. 

3. Head to Pont d’Avignon

Bd de la Ligne, 84000 Avignon

Now it is time to head to Pont de Saint-Benezet, aka Pont d’Avignon, to continue your day of exploring. This bridge, which isn’t really a bridge anymore as it doesn’t fully cross the river, has been around since the 12th century. However, due to flooding and sieges, the bridge has been destroyed on a number of occasions.

Its name, Pont de Saint-Benezet, is from Saint Benezet, the Patron Saint of Bridge Builders. He had a vision from Jesus to build a bridge here in Avignon over the Rhone. It was said that the construction healed 18 people. 

Saint-Benezet passed 4 years before it was complete, and was buried in Saint Nicholas Chapel, the bridge chapel for a time. 

This is a beautiful place to visit, and I recommend getting here first thing when it opens or before 10 am to avoid several tour groups and crowds. That way, you can get solo photos and uninterrupted views of the Rhone and bridge! 

From the bridge, you can see the Pope’s Palace and the Ramparts of Avignon. 

Price: It costs €5 to visit the bridge, but you can also purchase a ticket at the bridge that combines the Pont d’Avignon, Palais des Papes (Pope’s Palace), and the gardens of the palace for €17 because you’ll want to visit all 3 today anyway!

Hours: Open daily. January 8-February 9 from 10 am-5 pm. February 10-28 from 10 am-6 pm. March 1-November 3 from 9 am- 7 pm. November 4-December 20 from 10 am-5 pm. December 21-31 from 10 am-6 pm.

4. Palais des Papes

Pl. du Palais, 84000 Avignon

Fun fact: did you know that the popes at one point left Rome due to civil unrest and moved to Avignon? Yes! 

The palace was built starting in 1335 and is comprised of two palaces by both Benedict XII, who built the old palace, and Clement VI, who built the new palace. 

The palace was home to 7 popes and 2 popes of the Papal Schism before they went back to Rome where they are today. But now you can explore the giant palace complex.

Upon entering, you can pick up a histopad, which is in several languages to choose from and gives you context to each room you’re in. The best part is that when you scan the histopad in each room, it’ll show you what it looked like back in its heyday. It is included in the price of your ticket too. 

Price: €12 for the full price. Note that you can combine the ticket with the bridge and gardens for €17. 

Hours: From January 1-February 28 and from November 4-December 31 from 10 am and it closes at 5 pm, and March 1-November 3 from 9 am-7 pm.

5. Gardens of the Pope’s Palace

Located within the Pope’s Palace complex is a charming garden area. This sunny garden is so fun to wander through, and they have seats to get a little sunshine before continuing your visit. If you visit the Pope’s Palace, I highly recommend adding on the garden. 

Just purchase the combo bridge, palace, and gardens ticket and you’ll be good to go! 

6. Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms d’Avignon

Right next to the entrance of the Pope’s Palace is Notre Dame. Enjoy the outdoor scenery and architecture before entering the lovely cathedral.

This Romanesque cathedral was built in the 12th century. Peek inside for a little bit prior to continuing on your Avignon in a day. 

If you don’t have time or it is closed by the time you visit, it is beautiful to see from the outside and take photos too. 

Hours: June-September open on Monday-Saturday from 8:30 am-5:30 pm and on Sunday from 9:45 am-12:15 pm and 2:30-5:30 pm. October through May open on Monday-Saturday from 8:30 am-12 pm and 2:30-5 pm and on Sunday from 9:45 am-12:15 pm and 2:30-5 pm.

7. Lunch at Cafe Saint-Jean

8 Rue du Général Leclerc, 84000 Avignon

For a scrumptious lunch after all of that exploring, opt for Cafe Saint-Jean . This charming little cafe is on a lovely square near Les Halles, and the food is seriously delicious. Opt for their Formules Midi with a meal and dessert option and you won’t be disappointed. 

I ended up getting their linguine and for dessert got spiced apples with ice cream. 

As a bonus, across from the cafe is the Tour Saint-Jean in the square, which is a lovely little tower. 

Hours: 8 am-1 am daily.

8. Place d’Horloge

After lunch, walk around the city for a bit and definitely walk to Place d’Horloge. This is such a gorgeous square and is named for the clock tower. It is the main square in Avignon and where you’ll find the City Hall and Opera. 

There are also tons of sidewalk cafes and an adorable carousel. 

9. Pont du Gard

400 Rte du Pont du Gard, 30210 Vers-Pont-du-Gard

After spending some time exploring Avignon and the Pope’s Palace, you’d be remiss if you didn’t spend the last part of your day exploring the Pont du Gard. 

It is about a 30-minute drive from downtown Avignon but is well worth it to see the most spectacular Roman aqueduct. 

So bring along your picnic snacks from Les Halles that you purchased earlier and hit the road to Pont du Gard. 

Pond du Gard has been around since the 1st Century and was built by the Romans. It was used to transport water 50 km all the way to the Roman colony of Nemausus, which is modern-day Nimes. 

It crosses the Gardon river and is just incredible to see in person. You could spend quite a bit of time here if you wish, as there are plenty of hiking trails nearby. However, I recommend just heading to the river and having some cheese and snacks as you watch the bridge and view kayakers floating down on a nice day. 

Then, you can go across the bridge. No, you can’t climb on the actual aqueduct, but there is another modern bridge right next to it that you can cross and get an up-close view. It is neat to see it up close as well as peer over the river.

Admire the Pont du Gard from many angles before exploring the small prehistoric cave on the property too! 

Price: Free for the Pont du Gard and area. It is €8 per adult for cultural areas. Parking is €9 for the day. 

Hours: 8 am-12 am daily. If you wish to visit the museum, check hours here .

10. Dinner & Drinks at La Mirande to Wrap Up Your One Day in Avignon

4 Pl. de l’Amirande, 84000 Avignon

After a full day of exploring, it is time to slow it down, get a bit dressed up, and enjoy some amazing dinner and drinks at one of Avignon’s top hotels: La Mirande . 

Could you stay here if you want? Sure, but it is really expensive, so we just grabbed dinner and drinks. Located super close to the Pope’s Palace (like you can see it from their terrace), you can enjoy a lovely dinner here.

They have a couple of dining options, but we chose to make a reservation for La Salle a Manger. Their main restaurant is Michelin-starred and very expensive, so if you’re looking for a meal to splurge on, this is it.

But, for a more reasonably priced menu, opt for La Salle a Manger. Here we enjoyed things like onion soup, mackerel with potatoes, and a scrumptious chocolate ganache tart. 

The best part of this place is the atmosphere too. The food is seriously tasty, but upon stepping into the dining area, you feel as if you’re in a scene straight out of Downtown Abbey. It is elaborately decorated with lush turn-of-the-century pieces. 

So to continue your royal treatment, head to the La Mirande bar for a cocktail to end your evening. They have a salon area to enjoy your beverage with a cozy fireplace and squashy couches that’ll have you feeling like you’re having tea at the Bridgerton’s. 

It was seriously so fun and worth it! 

La Salle a Manger Hours: Open daily from 12-1:45 pm and 7:30-9:45 pm. 

La Mirande Bar & Tea Room: Open daily. The bar is open from 12 pm-12 am, and the tea is served from 3-6 pm.

After a fun evening with dinner and drinks, it is time to call it a day and head to bed before leaving Avignon. 

If You Have More Than a Day in Avignon, France

Is 1 day in Avignon enough? Yes, you can see the main highlights in a day, but more time is always better. You can take your time with the suggestions for our 1-day Avignon itinerary and add on things like a visit to the Jardin des Doms, Petit Palace Museum, Calvet Museum, and more! 

If you plan to stay for a few days or more, here are some other ideas for great day trips! 

• Take a full-day wine tour
• Visit the Luberon Villages
• Take a lavender tour of the Luberon
• Best of Provence tour
• Head to the Camargue to see flamingos and wild horses
• Explore the footsteps of Van Gogh
• Visit nearby cities like Nimes, Arles, St. Remy de Provence, and Aix-en-Provence during the day

How to Get to Avignon

Avignon is very well connected and easy to get to via train from cities like Paris and Marseille. It is a little over 2.5 hours from Paris and 1 hour from Marseille. So you can fly into either city and take the train to Avignon. I like to check flight prices on Skyscanner !

For the most flexibility, though, you can rent a car too. We took the train in from Paris and rented a car at the Avignon TGV station. 

Note: Notice the train station you choose when purchasing train tickets. There are 2 train stations in Avignon. One is the TGV station which has rental cars, and the other is the city center train station. 

Once you’re in Avignon, it is a pretty walkable city, so once you’re in the city center, you can access most of the sights on foot. There are also buses you can take. 

And if you want to get around the city faster, opt for a bike rental. For a quick way to see the sights of Avignon, there is also the Little Tourist Train you can ride in. It leaves from the Pope’s Palace and takes you around to many sites in 45 minutes. 

Where to Stay in Avignon

Here are some great places to stay during your 1 day in Avignon itinerary. 

Budget: Airbnb

We ended up staying in this adorable Airbnb apartment while we were in Avignon. It had a bedroom, bathroom, fantastic kitchen, and living room, and the bathroom had a washer/dryer which was great for doing some laundry during our stay. 

Book it here!

Mid-Range: Aux Augustins

This boutique guesthouse is right in the city center and is built on a former Augustinian monastery and church from the 13th and 14th centuries. With both a monastery feel with modern amenities, you’ll fall in love with this place. 

Luxury: La Mirande

If budget weren’t an option, I’d 100% stay here. After having dinner here, I can say this elaborately decorated hotel and lovely staff make this a fantastic place to visit during your time in Avignon. If you really want to feel like royalty and be a stone’s throw from the Pope’s Palace, this is the place to be. 

Best Time to Visit Avignon

There really isn’t a bad time to visit Avignon. It is a charming place to visit year-round. To skip the crowds that come in the summertime, avoid June through August. 

However, this does coincide with the lavender season in Provence from mid-June through mid-July. So if you’re visiting Avignon and hope to see the lavender fields on a day trip, definitely come during this time! 

But, if you’re not coming for lavender and don’t want too many crowds but want good weather, I’d opt for April and October as the best times to visit Avignon. 

We went around early October and had so much fun! It wasn’t crowded at all and the city was so beautiful this time of year! 

Lastly, if you want to come to the famous Festival d’Avignon, which is the big annual arts festival that takes place in the city, you’ll want to come in July! Check out more about the Festival d’Avignon here . 

Spending one day in Avignon is seriously a dream. With its stunning limestone ramparts and buildings, charming cafes, and historic sites, you’ll fall head over heels for this incredible French city . 

Would you spend a day in Avignon?

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4-Day Avignon Itinerary

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• Avignon in 4 days
• 1-Day Avignon Itinerary
• 2-Day Avignon Itinerary
• 3-Day Avignon Itinerary
• 5-Day Avignon Itinerary

Table of contents

Day 1: most popular attractions, day 2: center of town, day 3: proximity is everything, day 4: keep it simple, palais des papes.

Les Halles d'Avignon

Avignon Cathedral

Hotel de l'horloge, jardin des doms, pont saint-benezet (le pont d'avignon), musée calvet, where to eat, hiély lucullus, mamma corsica restaurant, la brasserie de l’horloge.

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Avignon Grand Hôtel

Remparts d'avignon, collection lambert avignon, musée angladon, the palace theatre, hôtel central avignon, musée lapidaire, brasserie du théâtre - bar a vins - restaurant - fruits de mer, restaurant le violette, restaurant fou de fafa, l'agape.

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Action Avignon (Courtine)

Église saint didier, palais du roure, opéra grand avignon, hôtel la mirande, basilique saint-pierre, au petit nice, hôtel de ville d'avignon, restaurant l'épicerie, le saint chocolat, la vache à carreaux, restaurant sevin.

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Église Notre-Dame-des-Anges de L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

Marcel&fils bio, adopt parfums avignon le pontet, musée du petit palais, visite avignon, church of saint-agricol, musée requien, l'essentiel, la grande brasserie le cintra, restaurant pollen, patisserie vernet.

Perfect for road trips

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Top searches in Avignon

Popular road trips from avignon, what's the weather like in avignon.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Avignon for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Avignon in January
• Weather in Avignon in February
• Weather in Avignon in March
• Weather in Avignon in April
• Weather in Avignon in May
• Weather in Avignon in June
• Weather in Avignon in July
• Weather in Avignon in August
• Weather in Avignon in September
• Weather in Avignon in October
• Weather in Avignon in November
• Weather in Avignon in December

All road trips from Avignon

• Avignon to Barcelona drive
• Avignon to Paris drive
• Avignon to London drive
• Avignon to Rome drive
• Avignon to Florence drive
• Avignon to Milan drive
• Avignon to Madrid drive
• Avignon to Amsterdam drive
• Avignon to Venice drive
• Avignon to Nice drive
• Avignon to Lyon drive
• Avignon to Prague drive
• Avignon to Berlin drive
• Avignon to Turin drive
• Avignon to Lisbon drive
• Avignon to Budapest drive
• Avignon to Vienna drive
• Avignon to Valencia drive
• Avignon to Edinburgh drive
• Avignon to Dublin drive
• Avignon to Brussels drive
• Avignon to Munich drive
• Avignon to Genoa drive
• Avignon to Naples drive
• Avignon to Seville drive
• Avignon to Istanbul drive
• Avignon to Carcassonne drive
• Avignon to Geneva drive
• Avignon to Copenhagen drive

Explore nearby places

• Villeneuve-les-Avignon
• Morieres-les-Avignon
• Chateaurenard
• Rochefort du Gard
• Saint Saturnin les Avignon
• Jonquerettes
• Chateauneuf-de-Gadagne
• Entraigues-sur-la-Sorgue
• Chateauneuf-du-Pape
• Caumont-sur-Durance
• Althen-des-Paluds

All related maps of Avignon

• Map of Avignon
• Map of Villeneuve-les-Avignon
• Map of Les Angles
• Map of Le Pontet
• Map of Rognonas
• Map of Pujaut
• Map of Barbentane
• Map of Morieres-les-Avignon
• Map of Chateaurenard
• Map of Sauveterre
• Map of Vedene
• Map of Sorgues
• Map of Rochefort du Gard
• Map of Saint Saturnin les Avignon
• Map of Saze
• Map of Jonquerettes
• Map of Noves
• Map of Graveson
• Map of Chateauneuf-de-Gadagne
• Map of Tavel
• Map of Entraigues-sur-la-Sorgue
• Map of Chateauneuf-du-Pape
• Map of Eyragues
• Map of Roquemaure
• Map of Bedarrides
• Map of Domazan
• Map of Caumont-sur-Durance
• Map of Maillane
• Map of Boulbon
• Map of Lirac
• Map of Althen-des-Paluds

Avignon throughout the year

• Avignon in January
• Avignon in February
• Avignon in March
• Avignon in April
• Avignon in May
• Avignon in June
• Avignon in July
• Avignon in August
• Avignon in September
• Avignon in October
• Avignon in November
• Avignon in December

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The Best One Day in Avignon Itinerary for First-Timers

• David Angel

About the author: David Angel is a British photographer, writer and historian with 30+years experience exploring Europe. His work regularly appears in global media including the BBC, Condé Nast Traveler, and The Guardian.

Gothic glories, a broken bridge and beautiful back streets welcome to our guide to spending one day in Avignon, one of the most beautiful cities in France, and a fantastic base for exploring Provence and much of the south of France.

One of the great Provence cities, Avignon is best known for its monumental Palais des Papes, the Palace of Popes who reigned there between 1309 and 1377. It’s also renowned for the Pont d’Avignon (Pont St Bénézet), the famous medieval bridge with just four arches remaining.

Our Avignon one day itinerary takes you to both of these sights, and we also point you in the direction of several other attractions in Avignon well worth seeking out.

It doesn’t take long to get off the beaten path in Avignon, with some gorgeous back streets and amazing city walls, and we help you along the way with this.

We also offer suggestions for other things to see in Avignon if you have more time there, and a few taster day trips from the city into the gorgeous region of Provence. Enjoy!

Table of Contents

Why Visit Avignon

Avignon is one of the best places to visit in Provence , a beautiful medieval city with two of the most famous landmarks in France .

The Palais des Papes – Papal Palace – is one of the outstanding Gothic buildings in Europe, and was headquarters of the papacy from 1309 to 1377.

The Palace is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site , which also comprises the Cathedral and the famous Pont Saint Bénézet which extends part of the way across the river Rhône.

The rest of the old city also has an austere beauty about it, with some wonderful squares, streets and churches to discover.

Avignon is also a superb base if you plan on making lots of day trips around this part of southern France .

It also makes a great stop on a South of France road trip .

One Day In Avignon Planning Tips

Avignon is a small city with two main sights , and you can comfortably see them both in one day.

One day in Avignon will also give you enough time to see some of the less-known Avignon sights, get a feel for the place and spend an hour or two eating or drinking al fresco in one of the squares around the city.

Top Tip : Avignon is a superb base if you intend to explore Provence . There are enough day trips from Avignon to fill up a fortnight, and when I stayed there I didn’t attempt to see everything at once, exploring it a little at a time. 

Avignon In One Day Itinerary

You have the option of exploring the city by yourself or joining a guided walking tour of Avignon , which includes entry to the Palais des Papes and a glass of local Côtes du Rhône wine.

If you don’t opt for a walking tour, start the day by walking through the old city, eventually making your way towards the river.  

In the morning, the sun shines on the lovely Rue des Teinturiers , a pretty street with a canal on one where the city’s dyers once plied their trade.  Continue across Rue des Lices and turn onto Rue du Roi Rene , which has some of the finest townhouses in the city, to Place Saint-Didier and the church of the same name.

St-Didier is a fine 14 th century Gothic church, holding the relics of the patron saint of Avignon and bridge building, St Bénézet (more on him in a moment). Also look out for the stunning 15 th century altarpiece by Francesco Laurana.

Continue to the northern end of the old city to see the Pont Saint Bénézet , one of the most famous bridges in Europe .  The truncated bridge – it’s now only four piers long – was built at a site deemed unsuitable between 1177 and 1185 after local saint Bénézet claimed that Jesus Christ told him to build one there in a vision.

The original bridge was destroyed in 1226 during the Siege of Avignon and replaced by what we see today.  The bridge later fell into decay, suffering partial collapse during floods, and now only four arches remain.

It inspired the famous song ‘Sur le pont d’Avignon’ – one with this name originated in the 17 th century, but the current version dates from the 19 th century.

Return via the Rocher des Doms , the beautiful park at the top of the hill overlooking the river and bridge. Then walk down the hill until you reach Avignon Cathedral .

The Cathedral of Notre Dame des Doms d’Avignon was built in the 12 th century, long before the neighbouring Palais des Papes. The tower had to be rebuilt after a partial collapse in 1425, and the gilded statue of the Virgin Mary was added in the 19 th century.

The interior is unusual, a sort of remodelled Romanesque with a 17 th century apse. The wide arches are rare, and the ornate stonework reminds me a little of the interior of Saint-Etienne-du-Mont church in Paris. Otherwise, the most notable monument is the Gothic tomb of Pope John XXII , who died in 1334.   

For lunch, you could either head for the busy Place de l’Horloge , which will usually have tables but you pay for the location. Otherwise, on nearby Rue du Vieux Sextier, visit Les Halles indoor market where you can buy food from the stalls and finds a spot at one of the tables to eat it.

There’s also a great little place around the corner, Mamma Corsica , where you can sample some of the delicious food of this stunning Mediterranean island.

If it’s still open, pay a brief visit to the Basilique St Pierre, one of the finest churches in Avignon, which a beautiful 14 th century Gothic façade and wonderfully carved wooden doors.

Afternoon – Palais des Papes – The Papal Palace

The Palais des Papes is one of the most extraordinary buildings of the Gothic Age, and dominates the northern part of the old city of Avignon.

We suggest seeing it in the afternoon (as I did) to get a bit of respite from the heat outside.

You cannot visit Avignon and not see it. Avignon became the seat of the Papacy after a dispute between France’s King Philippe IV and Rome.

The French cleric Raymond Bertrand du Got was elected Pope in 1305, taking the name Clement V , but refusing to travel to Rome to assume the Papacy there. Instead, he moved it to Avignon on 1309, beginning work on a suitable residence immediately. 

The Palace was completed in 1352, and remained the Papal headquarters until 1377, when Pope Gregory XI returned to Rome.  Two ‘antipopes’ subsequently based themselves in Avignon, and this ‘Western Schism’ was finally resolved in 1417.

The Palais des Papes is an astonishing edifice. It’s a very sturdy fortified building of military austerity, but as the tour reveals, there is some astounding artwork within.

The frescoes in the Saint-Jean and Saint-Martial chapels are the work of Sienese painter Matteo Giovanetti, and those in the private study of Pope Clement VI may have partly been his work – if not, he may well have directed some of it.

Evening – Dinner in Place Crillon

As the temperature begins to fall, it’s time to take a walk across the river to see panorama of city and Pont Saint Bénézet. It’s an absolute Avignon must see, as the view of the medieval skyline of the city and the bridge is magnificent.

It’s wonderful to watch the late light on the bridge and city, then sit with a drink and savour the view before the lights are turned on and the whole spectacle is floodlit.

Place Crillon, just inside the city walls and a short walk from the river, is one of the most picturesque squares in Avignon. It’s just inside one of the city gates, the Porte de l’Oulle, and away from the crowds around the Place de l’Horloge.

There are a couple of restaurants and bars with tables outside, beautiful old buildings, cooling shade from the trees and (every time I went past) a street musician providing the perfect Provencal soundtrack to the scene. My favourite place in the city, and you can stay right on it, in the 5-star Hotel d’Europe.

Avignon One Day Itinerary Summary

Morning – 8.00 – 12.00 : Guided Walk In Avignon Old Town

Walk through old city including rue des Teinturiers, Rue du Roi Rene, St Didier Church and St Pierre Church

Visit the Pont Saint Bénézet and Avignon Cathedral

Noon : Les Halles Market and Lunch

Afternoon  – 1330 to 1800 or later : Visit the Palais des Papes (Popes’ Palace) and explore more of Old Town

Cross river to Ile de Piot and viewpoints along the river of the Pont Saint Bénézet, Cathedral and Papal Palace

Evening – 1900 onwards : Dinner at Place Crillon, than at your leisure.

More Than 1 Day In Avignon – Other Things To Do In Avignon

The main Avignon attraction that I left off the one -day itinerary is the Musee Calvet , the city’s main museum. Its extensive collection, the bequest of local physician Esprit Calvet.

He amassed a massive collection, ranging from historical artefacts including Egyptian sarcophagi, to French, Italian and northern European art from the 16 th century onwards.

The collection is housed in two buildings, with the stone sculptures in a lapidarium.

While staying in Avignon I would also suggest heading over the river to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon , to visit the impressive Fort St- André. 

The gatehouse is especially imposing, and the stout walls hide a wonderful surprise – the gorgeous gardens of the Abbaye de St- André.

A large part of them dates from the 15th and 16 th centuries, and they command awesome views over the hills to the north and Mont Ventoux.

I also recommend the short rain ride south to the fortified medieval towns of Beaucaire and Tarascon , which face each other across the river Rhône.

Day Trips From Avignon

You can see many of the best places to visit in Provence  – and indeed the eastern part of Languedoc & Roussillon – from Avignon, even if you’re just using public transport. Our feature on the best day trips from Avignon shows you 14 of these places, so I’ll just run through a few here.

The Pont du Gard is one of the most impressive Roman monuments in Europe, an ancient aqueduct over the river Gardon near the town of Uzès. It’s a stunning sight, reachable by bus from Avignon or on a day tour covering both the Pont du Gard and Nimes , which has two amazing Roman monuments of its own.

Avignon is very close to the Côtes du Rhône wine region, and you can either explore by car or take a wine tour which includes a visit to a vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape , home to one of the most famous French vintages.

Avignon is also very close to some of the most beautiful villages in Europe , especially to the east in the Luberon. 

The ochre village of Roussillon is our favourite, with its distinct rich, bright colours, and nearby Gordes is a classic hilltop village with a Castle and steep, winding cobbled lanes and alleyways.

You really need a car to get to this part of the country, otherwise you can visit these two villages and more on a Provence day tour from Avignon .

The lavender fields of Provence are among the most beautiful landscapes in Europe , and visitors flock to the region to see them from late June to early August every year.  

The most iconic lavender location in Provence is the 12 th century Abbaye de Sénanque, but we also recommend the countryside around Sault, Apt, Banon and Valensole. 

Again, you need a car to explore these, or you can take lavender fields tours from Avignon which take you to several the best places in the region.

Where Is Avignon

Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse département of the Provence region of south-east France. Avignon is at the juncture of three départements, where Vaucluse, Gard and Bouches-du-Rhône meet.

It stands on the river Rhône, in the far west of Vaucluse and, indeed, the Provence region. The département of Gard, and the region of Languedoc-Roussillon (also known as Occitanie) begins the other side of the Rhône from Avignon.

We have included a map showing Avignon’s location in relation to several other French cities. Below we list the distances and average length of train journeys to Avignon from these cities:

Paris to Avignon – 360 miles / 579 km – average 3 hours 40 minutes

Lyon to Avignon – 126 miles / 202 km – average 2 hours 6 minutes

Marseille to Avignon – 53 miles / 85 km – average 44 minutes

Nice to Avignon – 125 miles / 201 km – average 4 hours 14 minutes

Carcassonne to Avignon – 133 miles / 215 km – average 3 hours (with 1 change)

How To Get To Avignon

Avignon is within reach of all major French cities via the TGV network and the regional SNCF trains. The TGV and city station (Gare Avignon Centre) are over a mile apart, and connected by trains and shuttle bus.

Long distance buses including Flixbus call at the gare routière (Avignon PEM bus station) which is next door to Avignon Gare Centre railway station.

If you’re flying to the south of France and visiting Avignon, the nearest airports are Avignon, Nimes and Marseille.

How To Get Around Avignon

I’ve visited Avignon twice and walked everywhere. However there are free shuttle buses (baladines) that run around the centre ville , which are very convenient if it’s hot, which it usually is in summer.

Top Tip : If you arrive in Avignon by TGV, there are shuttle buses to Avignon Gare Centre, or you can travel by train between the two stations.

Best Time To Visit Avignon

Spring or autumn are the best times to visit Avignon, when the temperature is cooler than the summer, when it is often intensely hot (often over 35C).

Top Tip : Avignon is at its busiest in July when the Festival d’Avignon is held – it usually lasts around three weeks – and accommodation is harder to find, and more expensive during this period.

Useful To Know : The lavender season coincides with the Festival d’Avignon. The famous Provence lavender fields are in bloom for around five weeks, usually beginning in late June or the first week of July. When I visited to see the lavender I opted to stay outside Avignon, which worked well.

How Many Days In Avignon Ideally

Two days is plenty of time to see Avignon. It’s a small, compact city, and easily walkable. When I stayed there I used it as a base to explore the surrounding region, staying ten days in total.

So: 2 days in Avignon is more than enough to see the city, but I suggest staying there or close by if you plan to see more of Provence.

One Day In Avignon – Final Thoughts

I’ve spent a lot of time in and around Avignon, and still want more. It’s not a big city, and in one day in Avignon you can cover the essential Avignon sightseeing and scratch some way below the surface.

It’s a fantastic base for exploring Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon, so use that as an excuse for a longer stay in Avignon, digging a little deeper every day.

Read More Of Our One Day Itineraries Here:

• One Day in Nuremberg – discover the stunning Imperial City in northern Bavaria
• One Day in Hamburg – discover Germany’s great maritime melting-pot
• One Day in Bath – 24 hours in the stunning Georgian city
• 1 Day London Itinerary – how to spend the perfect 24 hours in London
• One Day In Santorini – 24 hours on one of the best Greek islands
• One Day In Zagreb – a day in the fascinating capital of Croatia
• One Day In Brno – 24 hours in the Czech Republic’s superb second city

David Angel is a British photographer, writer and historian. He is a European travel expert with over 30 years’ experience exploring Europe. He has a degree in History from Manchester University, and his work is regularly featured in global media including the BBC, Condé Nast Traveler, The Guardian, The Times, and The Sunday Times.  David is fluent in French and Welsh, and can also converse in Italian, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Czech and Polish.

Avignon and French Wine Tour: France Itinerary

No French vacation is complete without a wine tour and exploration of a French countryside city like Avignon. Keep reading to learn how to explore the medieval city of Avignon and the surrounding wine-producing region. This is part of a 10-Day France itinerary. If you haven’t read Part 1 of this Itinerary, read France Vacation: “Must See” Paris in 3 Days .

Post Contents

Day Four – Avignon

Day four begins your travels to other regions in France, starting with the Provence region in Southern France. Avignon, a historic city set on the Rhone river, will be your primary city to explore. Avignon is a perfect base camp from where you can take any number of varied wine tours. 

Morning Train to Avignon

European rail travel systems are the best way to move between major cities and regions when traveling. Traveling between Paris and Avignon requires two trains with a connection in the middle for most routes although there are a couple of direct trains if it works for your schedule. This is generally much better than renting a car or flying to most locations within France.

Hotel/Accommodations in Avignon

You will most likely arrive in Avignon much earlier than the posted check-in time at your accommodations. Most hotels will not have an official check-in time until 2:00 – 4:00 PM. However, if they are finished cleaning your room, they will often let you check-in early. Even if your room is not ready, hotels will allow you to check your bags with the bellhop or the front desk. I highly recommend doing this. Being the tourist dragging their luggage around isn’t where you want to be (which would be especially painful in Avignon given the number of cobblestone streets still prevalent in the city). 

You may be able to find a cheaper place to stay, however, my choice when visiting Avignon is Hotel de L’Horloge . The hotel is nice and the location right to the Avignon main street can’t be beaten.

The Place de I’Horloge in Avignon is a central street close to the Papal Palace (Palais des Papes). This is a great place to find a variety of food from diverse restaurants. All the restaurants post their menu at the entrance to their seating areas which are mainly outdoors. Wander up and down the street until you see a menu that catches your eye. The setting and ability to enjoy the Place de I’Horloge when the weather is nice is perfect for the first meal in Avignon. 

Palais des Papes

The Palais des Papes (or Papal Palace) was the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and the residence of the pope in the 14th century. While it is no longer an active papal residence, this is an impressive building that is a large part of Avignon’s history. A tour of the palace is performed via augmented reality tablets and headphones that are issued to each visitor. This tour is well done and provides an immersive history of the structure and the operation of the Catholic Church in the 13th – 15th centuries. The palace has been beautifully restored and is a must-visit while in Avignon.

Pont d’Avignon

The Pont d’Avignon (also known as Pont Saint-Benezet) is a medieval bridge constructed in the 12th century. While the bridge no longer spans the entire Rhone River, the gatehouse and four of the stone arches are still intact and have been restored.  A self-guided audio tour is included with your ticket purchase to access the bridge. The information provided on the audio tour is interesting and provides some history of Avignon. However, the reason to come to the bridge is the tranquil riverscape, the view back towards Avignon from the bridge, and some really good photo opportunities with sightlines of the Papal Palace. 

Pro Tip: The entrance ticket to the Papal Palace can be bought as a combination ticket with the Pont d’Avignon. This ticket generally costs about €2.50 more than the ticket to enter the Papal Palace alone. This combination ticket will save you €3.50/person when you plan to see both the Palace and the Pont d’Avignon.

While there isn’t a lot to do at the bridge, the primary reason to come is for the experience of walking on the bridge and getting the views back towards Avignon. The audio tour leaves a little to be desired so don’t feel bad if you skip around a little. Still, the opportunity to walk above the famous Rhone River and the views are well worth the ticket price if you buy the combo ticket with the Papal Palace.  

The day of travel and introduction to Avignon are over. Enjoy a relaxing night and find a good place to enjoy dinner and a glass of wine near your accommodations. Take this evening as an opportunity to relax and refresh. Exploring Paris in three days required a breakneck pace. The French countryside deserves a more relaxing pace, so take some time and refresh yourself on this part of your vacation.

Day Five – Wine Tasting

The fifth day of this journey through France is highlighted by an exploration of the French countryside and its most famous product: wine. To make the most of your time in Avignon, go on a French wine tour leaving in the early afternoon. This allows you to explore more of Avignon in the morning.

Morning Options

Avignon les halles.

Avignon Les Halles is a local market with stalls selling almost anything you can think of. Meats, fish, vegetables, cheese, charcuterie, and oils are just some of the variety you will see. This is an excellent opportunity to see the local products and get souvenirs to take home for friends and family (or yourself). If you happen to be exploring other areas today and want to pack a picnic lunch this is a great place to come and get a spread. The outside of the build is also made quite unique by sporting a large living wall along the top of the market.

Pont du Gard

Pont du Gard is a bridge over the Gard river built to support the Roman aqueduct constructed in the 1st century AD. This is a brilliantly preserved aqueduct and exemplifies the feats of engineering that the Romans were able to master nearly 2000 years ago. A visit to Pont du Gard will allow you to walk along the lowest level of the aqueduct from one side of the river to the other. A ticket to the Pont du Gard also provides admission to the onsite museum which details how the Pont was built. Pont du Gard is located in a lush nature area with many hiking trails and kayaking opportunities if either of those activities speaks to you.

Grab a quick lunch before heading out on your wine tour. While you will have a driver for the wine tours, drinking on an empty stomach isn’t the way to make for a memorable afternoon.

Avignon Wine Tour

To explore the wineries in the immediate vicinity around Avignon, I would recommend that you select a French wine tour by a local tour company. While tour groups don’t give you the experience of exploring a new part of the world like a local, the benefits of using a tour group can outweigh this potential downside. The advantages of a winery tour group include:

• access to wineries and tasting rooms closed to the general public,
• smaller tasting sessions (depending on the tour group)
• a guide that stays with your group to answer questions
• and most importantly , a designated driver for all the wineries allowing you to enjoy all the French wines

Provence Cru Wine Small Group Tour

I have in general had success vetting and booking tours through Viator.com. I recommend a half-day wine tour titled Provence Cru Wine Small-Group Half-Day Tour from Avignon that I have taken in the past.

This French wine tour visits three different wineries in three different wine-growing regions around Avignon. The wineries change depending on the date of the tour, so the experience is varied from day to day. This is primarily a wine tasting experience and not a vineyard or production tour. While many of the tasting locations are on vineyards, if you want to tour or walk through vineyards another tour will be better suited for you.

This tour is limited to a maximum of 8 people total (there were 6 people on the tour when I took it). Therefore, the personal interaction you can get with the tour guide is exceptional. The van comes to pick you up at your lodging and will drop you off at the end of the day. While there are several opportunities to purchase the wine you taste along the journey you are not pressured to purchase. I would encourage getting some bottles to bring back from your vacation. Souvenirs that you can consume are my favorite as they can’t end up as clutter in a box. 

No trip to France is complete without an exploration of the country’s wine expertise. If you don’t partake in the above half-day wine tour, I encourage you to look for other wine tasting experiences that fit your travel style to experience this feature of French life.

As the day of exploration around Avignon has come to an end, enjoy a nice dinner and a glass of wine if you aren’t tired of wine at this point. This will be your first opportunity to show off your newly learned wine tasting skills. 

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THE 10 BEST Avignon Tours & Excursions

Avignon tours.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Wine Tours & Tastings
• Cultural Tours
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Chateauneuf du Pape wine tour

2. Provence Highlights Full-Day Tour from Avignon

3. Provence Cru Wine Small-Group Half-Day Tour from Avignon

4. Nimes, Uzes & Pont du Gard Small Group Half-Day Tour from Avignon

5. Half-Day Van Gogh Tour of Provence from Avignon

6. Châteauneuf du Pape Wine Day Tasting Tour including Lunch from Avignon

7. Wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape and surrounding areas in 1/2 day

8. Luberon, Roussillon & Gordes Half-Day Tour from Avignon

9. Afternoon Wine Tour to Chateauneuf du Pape from Avignon

10. Half-Day Provence Pont du Gard and Wine Tasting Tour from Avignon

11. 8 Hours Private Wine Tour in Châteauneuf du Pape

12. Avignon Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience

13. Half day private tour for 2-3 person

14. Full Day Best of Provence Tour from Avignon

15. Provence in a Day Trip from Aix

16. Luberon Small-Group Day Trip from Avignon

17. Small Group Marseille Shore Excursion : Avignon & Chateauneuf du Pape Wine Tour

18. Avignon Walking Tour including Pope's Palace

19. Van Gogh & Carrières de Lumières Half-Day Tour from Avignon

20. Best of Luberon in an afternoon from Avignon

21. A Day at the Aix en Provence and Luberon Market from Avignon

22. Half-Day Baux de Provence and Luberon Tour from Avignon

23. A day in Roman Provence Nîmes Orange Pont du Gard

24. A day in Arles, Les Baux and Saint-Rémy

25. Provence Lavender Full Day Tour from Avignon

26. A Day in Provence Small Group Tour from Marseille

27. Avignon's history, local culture & the wines of Châteauneuf du Pape private tour

28. 1/2 day in Gordes Fontaine-de-Vaucluse L’Isle s/Sorgue

29. Cooking lessons

30. Avignon: Private Walking Tour

What travelers are saying.

• Kathie M 2 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Local French Food, Glorious Food! The tour was wonderful! A number of local foods to taste at a variety of places. Information about the importance and significance of food in France. Excellent recipe ideas and sources for food items like herb mixtures, marmalades, teas, sweets, etc to use at home were freely shared by the guide who is also a food writer for several magazines. Read more Review of: Avignon Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience Written April 25, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Chateauneuf du Pape wine tour
• Provence Highlights Full-Day Tour from Avignon
• Nimes, Uzes & Pont du Gard Small Group Half-Day Tour from Avignon
• Half-Day Provence Pont du Gard and Wine Tasting Tour from Avignon
• Full Day Best of Provence Tour from Avignon
• Experience Provence Tours
• South Spirit
• Time 4 Provence
• La Provence de Claire Tours
• Provence Panorama
• All Provence Private Tours
• Avignon Authentic Stories
• Taxi-Provence Tours
• Provence Tours as You Wish
• Elora Tours Provence
• A la Francaise! Provence
• Provence Exclusive Tours
• Avignon Prestige Tours
• Provence and Wine

• Practical Information
• Discover the Little Train & Open Tour Itineraries
• The 19 highlights
• Contact & Booking

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VISITE AVIGNON by Lieutaud

AVIGNON, AS YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN IT

VISITE AVIGNON invites you to discover the cities of Avignon and Villeneuve les Avignon in a tourist Train and an open-top bus, the Open tour.

A city tour with thrilling, fun and bucolic itineraries, with a 1 day ticket and more than 19 incredible points linking the Kingdom with the Papal city through the island of la Barthelasse.

A combined ticket (Open tour + Train) will allow you to enjoy the intimate wealth of the city centre of Avignon, the majesty of the river and discover Villeneuve-les-Avignon, a voyage through time…

The comments of these two itineraries are available in 10 languages to which is added a comment especially written and designed for children (in French only).

TOURIST TRAIN

The tourist Train offers an unforgettable tour within the heart of the city of the Popes, allowing you to discover its most beautiful sites: the Palace of the Popes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Rocher des Doms, its medieval streets, its picturesque areas and of course the famous bridge, le Pont d’Avignon.

Become regal at the top of our open-top coaches, your hair blowing in the wind… Our double-deckers will ensure you a beautiful discovery of Avignon and Villeneuve-les-Avignon. A pleasant and varied itinerary to admire the city of the Popes and its surrounding treasures: The Palace of the Popes, the famous bridge of Avignon, “on y dance, on y dance…”, but also its cardinal liveries, its abbeys, a fort, its towers, ramparts and, if you listen carefully, the murmur of plays… the Rhone and the green setting of the island of la Barthelasse will offer you a natural and relaxing break… and if you wish to, you can continue your visit by bike!

We wish you a very nice ride!

FROM AVIGNON TO VILLENEUVE

TAKE A STROLL FOR 24 HOURS ALONG THE 19 HIGHLIGHTS

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Why It’s Worth Visiting Avignon: 11 Unmissable Reasons

• Isabelle Hoyne
• February 15, 2024

** Disclosure: some of the links on this site are affiliate links and should you make a purchase through these, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!**

Is it worth visiting Avignon? Discover 11 compelling reasons why it’s a yes from us in this detailed guide. From its walkable medieval streets to its rich cultural tapestry, find out how Avignon offers a unique and enchanting travel experience that caters to history buffs, foodies, and wine lovers alike.

Nestled in the heart of Provence, Avignon is a city where history’s echoes meet the vibrant thrum of modern life.

Here, the grandeur of medieval architecture stands proudly beside the gentle flow of the Rhône, a testament to the city’s historical significance as the seat of popes and a canvas for the Renaissance in France .

For five weeks in the tender bloom of spring, I made Avignon my home while slow travelling through Europe .

It was a marvellous chapter, a period of time where each day allowed me to peel back another layer of this enchanting city bit by bit. In the embrace of Avignon’s old stone walls, I found a rhythm that was both tranquil and enlightening, a balance that only such a city could offer.

To the traveller pondering, “Is it worth visiting Avignon?” I offer a resounding yes.

This is not just a city to be visited, but to be savoured – a bit like the fine wines that grace this region. 

In this post, we will explore eleven compelling reasons as to why Avignon deserves a place on your travel itinerary. It will cover aspects like its history, culture and gastronomy, as well as its ideal location (amongst others), delving into the essence of what makes this city worthy of your time.

Essential resources for your trip to Avignon

Top-rated tours and experiences: ☆ Avignon Walking Tour including the Pope’s Palace ☆ Tickets for Palais des Papes & Pont d’Avignon ☆ Provence in One Day Small Group Day Trip from Avignon ☆ Provence Lavender Full Day Tour from Avignon ☆ Chateauneuf du Pape wine tour  Cultured Voyages recommended accommodation: Le Bristol ( well located, well designed ) // Hotel De Cambis ( rave reviews, stylish decor ) // L’Observance Bed & Breakfast ( gorgeous guesthouse with pool ) // Les Précieuses Suites & Sp ( gorgeous apartment with spa bath )

11 reasons as to why it is worth visiting Avignon

1. avignon is entirely walkable.

Encircled by its venerable walls, Avignon is a city that is best discovered on foot . The intimacy of its medieval streets invites leisurely exploration and you can take in much on a wander within the city’s medieval walls.

The Palais des Papes stands as a sentinel to the past, a stone colossus of religious and architectural might. The Pont Saint-Bénézet , meanwhile, stretches its broken fingers towards the horizon, a monument to both human endeavour and the ravages of time.

During my own stay in Avignon, I would often embark on a circumnavigation of the historic city walls, a ritual that took less than an hour but was rich with the sights, sounds, and scents of Avignon.

This accessible and completely flat loop is a testament to the walled city’s walkable scale, where the grandeur of its ramparts is matched only by the charm of its warren-like streets. History comes alive through the cobblestones underfoot. Each time I walked this route, I discovered something new.

There’s a decided charm to Avignon’s narrow passageways and non-symmetrical squares, where you’ll regularly feel the pull of a café and want to sit down and watch the world go by. What better way to find them than by on foot – making Avignon thoroughly worth visiting for those who like to explore by ambling . 

2: Avignon is home to a rich history and cultural heritage

Woven into Avignon’s history are the threads of papal legacy, most prominently displayed in the grandeur of the Palais des Papes .

This imposing fortress and gothic palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It’s a testament to the city’s significance during the 14th century, when the seat of Christianity found its temporary home by the Rhône. The city’s architecture is a chronicle of this era, with each stone and spire telling tales of ecclesiastical power and cultural flourishing.

I loved meandering through Avignon’s cobblestone streets. If you keep your eyes peeled, the city’s narrative unfolds in the intricate carvings over ancient doorways and in the silent watch of gargoyles from high perches.

The city’s commitment to the arts is palpable, not just in its historical monuments but in its vibrant theatre scene (you’ll spot a countless number of these) and accessible art collections. The Collection Lambert , housed in two beautiful mansions, offers contemporary art exhibitions that are as thought-provoking as they are intimate.

I particularly enjoyed the Musée Angladon for its intimate and charming setting, allowing an up-close experience with masterpieces by artists like Van Gogh and Picasso, making it a truly memorable and highly recommended visit.

Strolling through Avignon, one can’t miss the charm of Rue des Teinturiers . This picturesque street, with its ancient water wheels, echoes the city’s past as a vibrant hub for the textile dyeing industry. It’s a beautiful reminder of how Avignon’s history is woven into even the most quaint corners

Avignon today is as much a hub for art and culture as it was a centre for religious power centuries ago. The city’s galleries, like the free to visit Musée du Petit Palais with its Renaissance paintings, are jewels tucked within the old stone walls, easy to visit and rewarding for art enthusiasts.

The spirit of creativity that permeates Avignon’s air during the annual Festival d’Avignon continues throughout the year, with art and theatre being intrinsic to the city’s modern identity. 

READ NEXT | 23 Enchanting things to do in Avignon

3. You can visit Avignon for a short time, or a long time

Avignon has timeless allure that graciously accommodates the wanderlust of both the leisurely traveller and the swift passerby. Whether you have a single day or weeks to spare, this Provençal jewel ensures your time is well spent.

In a day, Avignon unveils its highlights with an almost theatrical flair.

The Palace of the Popes , standing as a sentinel of history, and the Pont Saint-Bénézet , a famous bridge to the past, are within a stone’s throw of each other, allowing a full, albeit brisk, experience of the city’s grandeur. A day in Avignon is a bit like a teaser trailer to a classic film – it leaves you yearning for more.

For those who can linger a little longer, two to three days in Avignon is the sweet spot.

It allows for a deep dive into the city’s heart, from the cobbled streets that whisper secrets of the medieval era to the vibrant marketplaces bursting with Provençal flavours. I think that it provides enough time to savour the city without rush, to let its history and culture embrace you fully.

And yet, Avignon’s charm is such that even after five weeks, as I found, this walkable city continues to reveal layers of its personality.

My parents, who visited for a week, found a delightful balance between the city’s offerings and the allure of Provence’s countryside.

We took visited several nearby towns and places like the Pont du Gard during their stay. Both of them agreed that a week was definitely not too long to spend in Avignon, especially when using it as a base for day trips. 

4. Avignon is a fantastic base for exploring Provence

Avignon sits in the heart of Provence, and serves not just as a destination but as a gateway to the pastoral landscapes and sun-drenched villages that define the region’s attractiveness.

Its strategic position, in my opinion, makes it an unrivalled base for those eager to weave through the tapestry of Provence’s charms.

You may currently be tossing up whether you’ll stay in Avignon or Aix-en Provence for your Provençal adventure.

I stayed in Aix for a week and found it to be utterly charming and incredibly chic – it’s a city of refined boulevards, elegant fountains and upmarket shopping experiences. However, Avignon’s centrality cannot be overstated.

From Avignon, the undulating hills of the Luberon and the rugged beauty of the Alpilles are but a short journey away, each road leading to another quaint village or a vista of vineyards and olive groves.

Whether it’s the historic allure of Arles , the lavender fields of Valensole, or the charm of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence , Avignon places all within your reach with ease.

READ NEXT | 24 wonderful DAY TRIPS TO TAKE FROM AVIGNON

5. It’s an almost year-round city to visit

Avignon is a beautiful city that graciously hosts visitors nearly all year round. Each season drapes the city in a different cloak; from the vibrant hues of spring to the golden warmth of autumn, Avignon reveals its beauty in manifold ways.

Spring, particularly from March to April, is a period of awakening. I had the pleasure of witnessing Avignon unfurl into bloom during these months, the streets a little quieter, the air infused with the promise of summer. It’s a time when you can meander through the city at leisure, without the press of summer crowds.

The peak season of summer brings the Avignon Theatre Festival , an event that transforms the city into a bustling hub of artistic fervour. A local told me that that during this period, the streets are so thronged you’re shoulder to shoulder with fellow festival-goers – so you may want to avoid Avignon during July, unless you’re an avid theatre goer. 

The shoulder season of Autumn is another splendid time to visit, especially for those drawn to the romance of the grape harvest. The vineyards around Avignon are ripe with activity, and the air is crisp with the scent of fermenting grapes.

Personally, I’d probably choose not to visit Avignon in winter; the Mistral wind can be cutting enough in early spring and the city will probably be a little too quiet for most people’s liking. 

6. It’s a city with a unique appeal

Avignon is a quirky mix of history and modernity , a city where the medieval and the contemporary dance in harmonious synchrony. Its special allure lies in this blend; the ancient stones of the old town whisper tales of the past, while the vibrant energy of university life infuses the streets with a youthful spirit.

The old town, encircled by its storied city walls, is a treasure trove of history. Here, the legacy of the papacy is deeply etched into the very fabric of the city, from the grandeur of the Palais des Papes to the storied bridge of Pont Saint-Bénézet.

Yet, Avignon’s beauty is not just in its monumental landmarks; it’s in the quaint, cobblestoned alleys, the oddly-shaped squares that invite leisurely exploration, and the Provençal charm that seems to bloom as brightly as the cherry blossoms in spring.

Avignon’s cultural scene is as vibrant as its history is rich.

The city thrums with artistic energy, evident in the myriad of galleries and theatres that dot its landscape. From the avant-garde exhibitions at Collection Lambert to the intimate performances in the off-the-beaten-path venues during the festival season, culture is the city’s heartbeat.

The city’s unique character is also shaped by its status as a university town, which brings a contemporary edge to its historical charm.

This youthful vibrancy spills over into the culinary scene, with restaurants offering both Provençal classics and modern gastronomy, and into the shopping experiences at cool boutiques like Le Nid, where the city’s creative pulse is tangible.

7. Avignon is full of culinary delights

The culinary scene in Avignon is a delightful journey through the flavours of Provence and beyond.

The city is renowned for its gastronomy, where traditional French fare meets the rich, aromatic essence of the Mediterranean, and I happily tucked in while there. Avignon is highly worth visiting if you are foodie.

The covered market at Les Halles is a testament to the importance of food in Provençal culture.

Stalls brimming with fresh produce, from sun-ripened tomatoes to fragrant herbs, offer a glimpse into the ingredients that underpin the region’s dishes. I loved walking around the market, soaking in the sights and smells and listening to the buzz between market vendors and customers. 

Dining out in Avignon is an effortless affair, with a variety of options that cater to every palate. It’s not just about French cuisine; the city’s dining landscape is a mosaic of global flavours.

At La Canoa , for instance, I found the empanadas to be a perfect accompaniment to a lunchtime spent people-watching with a chilled glass of rosé in hand. Slightly outside of the historic centre (I’m talking 5 minutes), Vezzo offers a slice of Italy with its authentic pizzas.

For those seeking a more refined dining experience, L’Agape is a name that resonates with food connoisseurs and our meal there didn’t disappoint. Meanwhile, Vivotto and Maiianama offer contemporary takes on classic cuisines; gluten-free Italian food on the go and burgers, respectively. They were particular favourites of mine.

Whether it’s the casual street-side dining or the sophisticated ambiance of a gourmet restaurant, Avignon caters to pretty much everything.

8. Avignon is heaven for wine lovers

Avignon is a sanctuary for wine aficionados, nestled in the heart of the Rhône Valley, an area synonymous with viticulture and fine wines. The city’s location is a gateway to an oenophilic odyssey, with some of the most esteemed vineyards and wine regions within a stone’s throw.

The ease of arranging wine-tasting tours is part of Avignon’s charm. A mere 20-minute taxi ride can whisk you away to the legendary vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape . The lesser known, but equally good, area of Gigondas is only sightly further afield. It will take you around 40 minutes by car from Avignon.

My own experience, a night spent at the Hostellerie du Château des Fines Roches , stands out as being particularly memorable.

The vineyard visits, the quaint exploration of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s village and castle, and the indulgence in the luxurious embrace of the château were complemented by a dining experience that was nothing short of brilliant.

Back within the ancient walls of Avignon, the wine bars are a treasure trove too, offering the chance to sample fine wines by the glass. It’s a delightful way to end an evening, sipping on a glass of wine that speaks to the region’s rich terroir.

I think, therefore, that it goes without saying that Avignon is highly worth visiting if you are a fan of wine tourism . 

RELATED READING | The Best Wine tours from avignon

9. It’s well connected to other cities in France

Avignon’s connectivity is a real strength, offering seamless transitions from the bustling cities of France to its own tranquil streets.

From Marseille to Avignon:

The journey from Marseille is a breeze, with frequent trains that whisk you through Provence’s heartland in under an hour. The proximity (about 100 kilometres) makes it a favourite for those seeking a day trip or weekend getaway, immersing themselves in Avignon’s medieval allure before returning to Marseille’s coastal vibrancy.

Nice to Avignon:

Travellers from Nice will find the journey just as convenient. A scenic train ride, spanning approximately 250 kilometres, offers a transition from the Riviera’s azure coast to the historical depth of Avignon. The trip is a beautiful prelude to the city’s charm, setting the stage for an unforgettable visit.

Lyon to Avignon:

Lyon, the gastronomic heart of France, is less than an hour away by train. This proximity allows for a swift escape to the contrasting serenity of Avignon, making it an ideal complement to the urban energy of Lyon. It makes flying into Lyon and taking the train from the airport a complete breeze. 

Paris to Avignon:

Even from Paris, Avignon is easily accessible. The high-speed TGV train covers the almost 600-kilometre journey in about 2.5 hours, offering a fast track to the South of France’s delights. It’s a popular route for those looking to swap the capital’s rapid pace for the laid-back Provençal lifestyle, even if just for a weekend.

10. Avignon will appeal to different travellers

Avignon presents a kaleidoscope of experiences that cater to the diverse tapestry of its visitors.

For families , Avignon unfolds as a historical canvas where the vibrant strokes of the past come alive.

The Palais des Papes stands as a majestic lesson in history, while the park of Rocher des Doms offer a tranquil retreat with picturesque garden views, perfect for a family picnic under the azure skies.

An adventure awaits at Île de la Barthelasse, where families can cycle through the lush pathways, a delightful way to bond and bask in the natural beauty of Avignon’s surroundings. This was one of my favourite days spent in Avignon, exploring the quiet lanes of the island by bike. 

Couples will find in Avignon’s old-world allure the perfect setting for romance. Strolling through the cobbled lanes, uncovering secluded nooks, or indulging in a cosy meal at a tucked-away bistro, the city serenades love stories at every turn.

The solo traveller will never find themselves alone amidst the city’s vibrant café culture and the communal festivities of the Festival d’Avignon. Safe and welcoming, Avignon is a place where solo adventurers will feel safe. I never felt uncomfortable while out and about on my own.  

For the history buff ( it probably goes without saying at this point) – Avignon is a complete treasure trove. Its rich history, from the ancient ramparts to the storied Pont Saint-Bénézet, as well as its smaller museums and galleries – even the streets themselves – offers a tangible connection to the eras that have sculpted our civilisation.

11. Avignon combines perfectly with the French Riviera

With its storied streets and echoes of ecclesiastical power, Avignon offers a starkly different experience from the glitzy French Riviera. It’s not about the proximity to the sea or the shimmering nightlife; it’s about the immersion into a profound historical narrative that Avignon provides.

During my time in Provence, I was captivated by Avignon’s ability to transport me to another era, one of papal grandeur and medieval intrigue. This contrasted vividly with my stay in Antibes , where the rhythm of the waves and the casual coastal life provided a different kind of solace.

Connecting the cultural heartbeat of Avignon with the laid-back luxury of the Riviera creates a travel experience rich in diversity. From my own journeys, I can say that the transition from the Riviera’s sun-kissed beaches to Avignon’s leafy squares and cobbled lanes is like stepping through a portal between two worlds.

For those plotting their adventure, I recommend dedicating time to both areas.

The Riviera offers relaxation by the sea and a taste of modern French glamour, while Avignon invites you to wander through history, with every alley and facade telling a story. Together, they encapsulate the multifaceted charm of the South of France.

Conclusion: should you visit Avignon? 

To wrap up, I hope that I’ve demonstrated how Avignon is more than a mere stopover; it’s a destination that merits its place on any traveller’s itinerary and is entirely worth visiting.

With its walkable medieval streets, rich tapestry of history, and proximity to the vine-clad hills of Provence, Avignon is a city that promises and delivers an experience steeped in enchantment.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast eager to trace the steps of past popes, a culture seeker looking to immerse in the vibrant arts scene, or a gastronome in pursuit of Provençal flavours, Avignon extends a timeless invitation. 

Should you decide to heed Avignon’s call, the journey need not end at the city’s ancient walls.

On this blog, you’ll find further inspiration and information, where you can weave the threads of your own Provence adventure.

Delve into our ‘ Things to Do in Avignon post’, craft your perfect 5-day Provence itinerary , or venture beyond to discover day trips from Avignon that reveal the region’s heart. And for those with a palate for the finer sips in life, a guide to Châteauneuf-du-Pape awaits to lead you through vineyard-laden landscapes.

Related reading for the South of France

Interior provence.

• Arles  |  Best Things to Do in Arles: From Van Gogh’s Legacy to Ancient Roman Ruins
• Avignon  |  23 Fabulous Things To Do in Avignon, France
• Avignon Day Trips  |  Best Day Trips from Avignon for Curious Travellers
• Avignon Wine Tours  |  10 Wonderful Avignon Wine Tours Worth Taking
• Is Avignon worth visiting?  |  Why It’s Worth Visiting Avignon: 11 Unmissable Reasons
• Châteauneuf-du-Pape   accommodation  |  Hostellerie du Château des Fines Roches – A Luxury Provençal Retreat
• Châteauneuf-du-Pape  |  Visiting Châteauneuf-du-Pape: A Journey Through a Historic Wine Region
• Saint Rémy  | A Guide to Saint Remy de Provence: a Provençal Paradise
• Where to stay in Provence |  Where To Stay in Provence: 10 Best Places + Accommodation Picks
• French Riviera
• Antibes | Things to Do in Antibes: 23 Must-Visit Attractions & Memorable Experiences
• Is Antibes worth visiting?  |  Is Antibes Worth Visiting? Discover Why This Riviera Gem Is a Must-Visit
• Cap d’Antibes Coastal Walk | coming soon
• Sentier du Littoral Wall  |  Walking the Sentier du Littoral of Antibes – Essential Guide
• A day in Cannes | coming soon
• Cannes wine tours | coming soon
• 1 day in Nice | coming soon
• Nice wine tours | 10 Fantastic Nice Wine Tours Worth Taking
• 4 days in French Riviera | coming soon
• 5 days in French Riviera | coming soon
• 7 days in French Riviera | coming soon
• Where to stay on the french riviera | Where to Stay on the French Riviera: 11 Best Locations (& Hotels)

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Hi there! I'm Isabelle, aficionado of immersive travel experiences and unique, luxurious hotels. You'll most likely find me camera in hand, or nerding out on research in advance of my next trip. A major foodie, history and scenery lover, nothing makes me happier than soaking in the atmosphere and culture of the destination I'm visiting.

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Best Things to Do in Avignon and Arles (3 Day Itinerary)

• Post author: Lisa Garrett
• Post last modified: March 26, 2024
• Post category: Europe Getaways / France

Disclaimer :  This page may contain affiliate links.  I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links (at no additional cost to you).

There are many fantastic things to do in Avignon, Arles, and Provence! See Roman ruins, a papal palace, gorgeous hilltop cities, and more!

Wondering what to do in Provence besides visiting lavender fields? (Not everyone loves flowers!) Did you know that you could:

Marvel at the splendid papal palace in Avignon and enjoy Avignon’s vibrant theater scene.

Take a deep dive into history and explore the extensive Roman ruins in Arles , the ‘little Rome of Gaul’. 

TOP PICK: PROVENCE DAY TRIP

My top pick is this full-day Provence highlights tour . We loved being able to see the Pont du Gard and the charming hilltop villages of the Luberon without having to rent a car!

Immerse yourself in the unique and picturesque hilltop cities in the Luberon Valley . 

I have all of the best things to do in Avignon and Arles (and more!) right here for you based on my favorites from our France trips. Lace up your shoes and let’s go!

Table of Contents

Best things to do in Avignon France

Avignon makes an excellent home base for your long weekend.  It’s an easy trip via high-speed train (TGV, Train à Grande Vitesse).  You can travel to Avignon in about two and a half hours from Paris , and it’s only an hour from Lyon . 

Wondering what to do in Avignon France ? Let’s dive right in!

Tour the Palais des Papes

Avignon is probably most famous for being the seat of the papacy in the 14 th century, when the popes fled Rome due to unstable political conditions.    (Most people don’t know this interesting fact about France !)

The Palais des Papes is one of the largest medieval gothic buildings in the world and is an Avignon must see !  It is honored as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its architecture and its historical importance as the seat of the papacy.

Avignon was home to a series of popes (all French) from 1309-1377.   The official papal residence returned to Rome in 1378.  However, there continued to be a second pope located in Avignon (known as an ‘antipope’). 

See the highlights of historic Avignon and enjoy skip-the-line access to the Palais des Papes on this sightseeing tour of Avignon !

North of the Palais des Papes you’ll find the Jardin des Doms.  This is a lovely public garden, and its hilltop location provides excellent scenic views of the Pont D’Avignon and the Rhône River.  There is a little café here and you’ll find many locals enjoying a picnic under the shade trees.

In addition to the Palais des Papes, Avignon is home to many churches and cathedrals. 

Adjacent to the palace, you’ll find the Avignon Cathedral.  This cathedral is crowned by a golden statue of the Virgin Mary , and is the final resting place of the Avignon popes. 

Marvel at the intricate carved walnut doors of the Basilique Saint-Pierre.  Or visit the Église Saint-Agricol, which dates from the 7 th century and features a baroque altar and beautiful stained-glass windows.

Dance on the Pont D’Avignon

Pont Saint-Bénézet is more commonly known as Pont D’Avignon . 

This 12 th century medieval bridge at one time crossed the Rhône.  The complete bridge had 22 arches and reached from Avignon on its southern end to Tour Philippe-le-Bel on the northern end. 

Unfortunately, the yearly flooding of the Rhône took its toll on the Pont D’Avignon.  Today, only four arches remain, along with the gatehouse at the Avignon side. 

You can also find a tiny chapel to St. Nicholas  on the bridge’s second pier.  The remaining portion of the bridge is part of Avignon’s UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Pont D’Avignon was also made famous by the French dance song and nursery rhyme ‘Sur le Pont D’Avignon’.   Today you can walk out upon the remnants of the Pont D’Avignon for a small fee. 

Just a few minutes’ walk east from the Pont D’Avignon there is a little ferry that operates that will take you to the island in the middle of the Rhône. 

The free ferry runs every 15 minutes daily from mid-February until the end of December (hours vary).   From the ferry stop, there is a lovely grassy, tree-lined walkway along the Rhône.  This is a great place to relax in the shade, or to enjoy a picnic.

Soak up Avignon’s vibe at the Place de l’Horloge

The Place de l’Horloge , or Clock Square, is the heart of historic Avignon. This central, tree-lined square runs along the Rue de la Republique.

The Place de l’Horloge is flanked by many of Avignon’s most beautiful buildings , and you’ll also find plenty restaurants and cafés here. Many of the restaurants directly on the square are touristy, so venture a little of the beaten path for a more authentic dining experience.

On the plaza’s west side stands the grand Hotel de Ville d’Avignon, Avignon’s City Hall. The clock tower for which the plaza is named pokes out from behind the Hotel de Ville.

To the north of the Hotel de Ville you’ll find the gorgeous Opéra Grand Avignon , built on the former site of a Benedictine abbey. This opera house hosted its first performance in October 1825 — so it’s been in business for nearly two centuries!

A carrousel in the middle of the square adds a bit of whimsy.

The Place de l’Horloge is certainly one of the best places to see in Avignon !

Walk along the Remparts d’Avignon

The Remparts d’Avignon, or Walls of Avignon, are the city’s historic defensive stone walls .  These protective walls originated in the 14 th century when the papacy was centered in Avignon. 

The walls stretch 4.3km around the city of Avignon and now contain various entrances for pedestrians and vehicles.

Take a walk along the ramparts and view the towers interspersed at regular intervals along the crenellated city walls.  It is also free to go up on the ramparts and enjoy some phenomenal views of the city and the river .

The city of Avignon has of course expanded over the centuries, and now only around 10 percent of Avignon’s populace lives in the area encircled by the ramparts.

Shop at Les Halles d’Avignon

No visit to a French town is complete without a visit to its local market.  Within the historic walled portion of Avignon, you’ll find Les Halles d’Avignon . 

This indoor market is open daily from 6am to 2pm (closed Mondays).  Here you’ll find fresh local produce, breads, spices, fish, and prepared foods. It’s always a good idea to carry some money in France to spend on small purchases at the market!

One unique feature of Les Halles d’Avignon is its ‘green wall’.  Spanning a surface area of over 300 square meters, the north façade of the market is a botanical work of art .  Lush plants decorate this vertical surface thanks to special irrigation techniques.  

See a performance at one of Avignon’s many theaters

There are an astounding number of theaters in Avignon.  Dozens of performing arts venues dot Avignon’s cityscape – you’ll find a theater around every corner. 

Although you can enjoy live entertainment throughout the year, the biggest performing arts celebration is the Festival D’Avignon . (It’s definitely one of the best Avignon things to do!)

The Festival D’Avignon occurs in month of July and runs the gamut from theater to dance to mime.   Performances are held in the Honour Courtyard of the Palais des Papes as well as in dozens of other locations inside and outside of the medieval city walls.   

This is definitely one of the best things to do Avignon has to offer! Plus, it’s so much fun to participate in French holidays and festivals!

Explore Fort Saint-André

On the north side of the Rhône, just a kilometer north of Tour Philippe-le-Bel, you’ll find Fort Saint-André.  This magnificent 14 th century fortress sits atop Mount Anadon, and from here you will enjoy fabulous panoramic views of Avignon and the surrounding countryside.

Fort Saint-André was built to defend France against Provence, which had been the first Roman province outside of Italy .  At the time of the construction of Fort Saint-André, it was a semi-independent state governed by the Counts of Provence.

Fort Saint-André is open to the public daily (closed Sundays), for a small entry fee.  Explore the fort’s twin towers and the chapel of Notre Dame de Belvezet. Download the app in advance to access information about the fort’s history and architecture.

Relax in Avignon’s Town Square

Even if you are not in need of information or maps, be sure to visit the tourist information office within the historic walled city.  You’ll find it in an impressive stone building adjoining a medieval church complete with steeple, rainspouts, and buttresses. 

Right next to the tourist information office, you’ll find Square Agricol Perdiguier, Avignon’s town square . 

There are gardens, waters features, and even some freestanding medieval arches here to check out, or just relax and enjoy the gardens from a perch on one of the benches.  Our hotel was just down the block from the square, so every morning we enjoyed our breakfast pastries here!

Day Trip: The Pont du Gard and Hilltop Towns of the Luberon Valley

For the most part, we like to explore an area on our own.  But on this trip, we didn’t have a car, and we really wanted to see the Pont du Gard.  So, we decided to book a tour from Avignon.

We were able to find a perfect day tour of the Pont du Gard and the picturesque hilltop towns of the Luberon Valley.  We were very happy to be able to visit these towns without having to drive the narrow twisty roads ourselves.

There are many great half-day or full-day tours from Avignon to choose from, depending on which attractions and towns you’re most interested in:

Marvel at the historic Pont du Gard

The Pont du Gard is a spectacular feat of Roman engineering which remains impressively well-preserved even after 2000 years.  A trip to the Pont du Gard is definitely one of the best day trips from Avignon — I highly recommend!

The Pont du Gard is an aqueduct bridge with three levels which allows the 50km aqueduct to cross the Gardon River.  

It was built to carry water to the Roman province of Nemausus (the city we know as Nîmes).  It is honored as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its engineering technique as well as its beautiful aesthetics.

There is a fee to enter the site of the Pont du Gard, which is open year-round .  You can explore the site on your own, or take a guided tour for an additional fee.  

There is also a museum where you can learn about the techniques involved in the construction of the Pont du Gard, and gain insights about life in Roman times .

Be sure to take the time to walk across the Pont du Gard for an up-close look at the bridge, and to enjoy the view from the other side of the gorge.  Don’t worry – it is a very wide walkway, and you walk across the first (lowest) tier of the bridge.

For a unique view of the Pont du Gard, rent a kayak from one of the local kayaking companies.  Floating along the Gardon River, you’ll enjoy impressive views of the Pont du Gard from all angles (including underneath).

Enjoy more fantastic views of the Pont du Gard in this brief video from World Heritage Journeys:

Visit Les Baux-de-Provence

Les Baux-de-Provence is located in the Alpilles mountain range, atop a rocky outcrop. 

This pedestrian-only village has been officially named ‘ one of the most beautiful villages in France ’.  So, it’s definitely worth taking a trip to Les Baux-de-Provence !

From its lookout points you will enjoy excellent views of the countryside, from Arles to the Camargue.

One of its top attractions is Château des Baux-de-Provence, a medieval castle fortress .  If you’re planning a visit to the Château, you can download their app in advance.  Be sure to see the reconstructions of medieval siege engines and the trebuchet.

See the red houses of Roussillon

Roussillon and Gordes are located in the hills sandwiched between the Petit Luberon mountain range to the south and the Vaucluse mountain range to the north. 

From Roussillon, you can also see the most prominent geologic landmark in the area— Mount Ventoux , the “Giant of Provence” of Tour de France fame—about 20 miles to the north. 

As you approach Rousillon, you’ll notice the landscape changing and featuring striking red cliffs.

You can immediately identify Rousillon’s ochre-colored buildings (made with materials from the vast local ochre quarry). 

To get an up-close look at the mineral, you can explore the Le Sentier des Ocres, two paths through an old ochre quarry.  Or, you can tour the underground quarry tunnels at the Mines de Bruoux.

Wander the cobbled lanes in Gordes

Gordes is another gorgeous hilltop village of the Luberon Valley. The buildings seem to be carved directly out of the rocky face of the mountain as they spiral upwards.    

The castle dominates the village from the hilltop and is home to a museum featuring the works of Flemish artist Pol Mara.  Just a stone’s throw away, you’ll find the Eglise Saint-Firmin, which is also rather fortress-like in appearance.   

It’s fun to wander through the narrow, cobbled lanes of Gordes – you’ll find little restaurants and quaint shops around every corner.  Be sure to watch where you’re going, as there are a lot of stairs to contend with.

Best things to do in Arles France

You can easily take a day trip from Avignon to Arles – just hop on the train and you’ll be there in twenty minutes.   

Arles was once a provincial capital of Rome and today is known as the ‘Little Rome of Gaul’ .  The Roman monuments of Arles are honored as a UNESCO World Heritage site .

Its Roman history is a huge part of Arles’ appeal but is not the only thing that draws visitors.  Many famous artists (including Picasso and Gaugin) painted in Arles, inspired by the quality of light.   Vincent van Gogh created some of his most well-known works while living in Arles.

Wondering what to do in Arles France ? I’ve got all of the top Arles attractions right here!

For in-depth insights into the history and culture of Arles, take this private tour of Arles , completely customizable for your interests!

Explore the Arènes d’Arles

We love all things pertaining to ancient history, so we were like kids in a candy store exploring Arles.  The Arènes d’Arles ( Arles Amphitheatre ) dominates the historic heart of Arles, so that was our first stop.   

(I will say that the Arena in Nimes is much more impressive than the one in Arles.)

If you’re like me and want to see as much as you can within your day trip, you’ll want to purchase one of the Arles monuments passes . 

There are multiple different options available depending upon which mix of museums and Roman monuments most interest you.  (Note that the monuments passes do not include entry to the Fondation van Gogh.)

The Arles Amphitheatre is a smaller version of its incredible cousin, the Roman Colosseum.  The two-tiered Arles Amphitheatre has 120 arches and could hold 20,000 spectators.  In ancient times it showcased spectacles of gladiator fights and chariot races . 

The Amphitheatre is still used today for community events such as concerts and bullfighting.  Of course, now there are a few more safety features that have been added. 

Explore the galleries and bleachers of the amphitheater and marvel at the Roman engineering which has survived (with some help) to modern times. 

One thing that boggles my mind:  Can you imagine what it would be like to see this view every day as you head off to work, or to the market?

See the Théâtre Antique d’Arles

The Théâtre Antique d’Arles, or Roman Theater of Arles , sits just to the southwest of the Arles Amphitheatre.  This theater was constructed during the reign of Caesar Augustus and dates back to the 1 st century.

In its prime, this performing arts theater featured an elaborate stage and could seat 8,000 spectators.  Unfortunately, over the ages the stone has been ‘repurposed’ to build the city wall and other structures, so the theater is only a shadow of its former self.   

View the Roman baths and necropolis

Near the banks of the Rhône, you’ll find the Thermes de Constantin.  These Roman baths were built during the reign on Constantin in the 4 th century.   

Baths were a key part of life in Roman times.  Unfortunately, these baths have fallen into disrepair.  You can tour the site, but you just get a very vague impression of what they would have been like in their prime.

If you don’t mind venturing underground, you can explore the Cryptoportiques du Forum . 

The Cryptoportiques are the subterranean support system for the forum, which was the town square for the Romans.  These vast arched tunnels form a U-shape – the north and south galleries are 90 meters long, and the connecting west gallery is 60 meters long.

About a 10-minute walk southeast from the arena and outside the original city walls, you’ll find the Alyscamps.  This is a Roman necropolis (cemetery), once one of the most famous of the ancient world.  

Walk down the path amongst the ancient sarcophagi .  At the far end sits a 12 th century church, the Eglise Saint-Honorat.

Visit Musée de l’Arles et de la Provence Antiques

The Musée de l’Arles et de la Provence Antiques is the most popular museum in Arles.  It sits just a bit west of the historic center of Arles.

 This museum focuses on regional antiquities and features a large collection of sarcophagi as well as other treasures excavated from Arles’ historic sites. 

View the Roman barge that was excavated from the river and restored – along with a video that documents and explains the complicated process of doing so.  It’s worth taking the time to watch (added benefit: you can get off your feet for a few minutes).

We really enjoyed the giant mosaics housed in this museum.  Be sure to climb to the viewing gallery to be able to get a birds-eye view of the mosaics and appreciate their beauty and intricacy more fully!

Admire the Cathédrale Saint-Trophime

The Cathédrale Saint-Trophime has pride of place on Arles’ town square, Place de la République. 

This Romanesque cathedral has a beautiful façade with elaborately carved sculptures . Inside you’ll find soaring ceilings, vividly colored stained-glass windows, and massive paintings and tapestries.

The Cloître Saint-Trophime sits adjacent to the cathedral, and provided housing to the clergy.  The cloister is a quiet and serene place, with beautiful architecture. 

Stroll through the airy, sunlit galleries and view the carved support columns.  Enjoy viewing the works of art and tapestries gracing the walls of the cloister.

See the sites that inspired Vincent van Gogh

Arles’ other significant claim to fame is Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh , who lived and painted in Arles in 1888-1889.  He created many masterpieces inspired by this lovely city, including ‘ Starry Night Over the Rhône ’.

If you’re an aficionado of van Gogh, be sure to take the ‘van Gogh Walk’.  This will guide you to about ten locations in Arles where van Gogh created his well-known artworks.  In some cases, you’ll be able to enjoy the same views that provided inspiration to van Gogh over a century ago.

You can also visit the museum, Fondation Vincent van Gogh.  As a disclaimer, this museum doesn’t display much of van Gogh’s art (only one piece), but honors his influences on other artists.

Avignon and Arles Travel Tips and FAQ

Avignon or arles as a base.

Stay in Avignon as your home base , and just take a day trip to Arles. It’s only twenty minutes away by train, with many trains running throughout the day.

The cities of Avignon and Arles are both on smaller side, although Avignon’s population is about twice that of Arles. This means that there are definitely more options for dining and evening entertainment in Avignon (especially given all of Avignon’s theaters).

Avignon is a transportation hub and has a lot more options for public transit , which is handy if you’re visiting without a car.

Avignon has both a train station serviced by TGV (France’s high speed train system), as well as a station for regional trains. It’s also home to the Avignon-Caumont Airport (an international airport, but only in that it does have flights to England).

On our visit, we spent a couple nights each in Avignon and Arles. Although there were a lot of great Roman ruins to explore during the day in Arles, we often found ourselves at loose ends in the evenings, unable to find something really appealing to do.

Traveling by Train in Provence

France has a great rail network, so I like do do the majority of my travels in France by train. (It really cuts down on my stress levels.)

You can travel to Avignon in about two and a half hours from Paris via France’s high speed trains (TGV, or Train à Grande Vitesse). And Avignon is only about an hour by train from Lyon . 

Just sit back, relax, and watch the beautiful French countryside roll by outside your window!

Pro Tip : You will need seat reservations for the TGV, so it’s best to buy your tickets in advance so that a full train doesn’t ruin your travel plans.   Purchase your train tickets   here !

Now you definitely know what to do in Arles and Avignon ! Whether you choose to visit Arles or Avignon (or both!) you’ll be sure to have a great time exploring these top Provence attractions.

Pin this for later! Don’t miss out on all these great ideas for visiting Avignon, Arles, and the Pont du Gard!

You might also enjoy these posts about my favorite places in France:

• Perfectly Paris: 21 Best Paris Attractions
• Amazing Paris Night Tours You’ll Love
• Jardin du Luxembourg: Paris’ Best, Most Beautiful Garden
• Best Things to Do in a Weekend in Lyon
• See Chateaux on a Hot Air Balloon Ride in France’s Loire Valley
• Best Things to Do in Nîmes
• Best Things to Do in Nice and the French Riviera
• 23 Fantastic Day Trips from Paris by Train You’ll Love

Lisa Garrett

Lisa Garrett is the founder of Waves and Cobblestones. She has taken 18 cruises ranging from a multi-generational Caribbean cruise to solo Alaska cruises to fabulous Mediterranean cruises.

She lived in Ireland for 4 months and has taken over a half-dozen multi-city vacations in Europe (primarily relying on train and public transit). Lisa helps people plan amazing vacations to Europe and popular cruise destinations.

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The Perfect Southern France Itinerary – 7 Days in Provence

Creating a 7-day itinerary for the South of France is no easy task. With so much to see and do, you really do have to narrow your focus a little or you could end up spending all of your time in the car!

With this in mind, I’ve created the perfect Southern France itinerary that will allow you to see many of the highlights of the region while minimising driving time and allowing you to chop and change some aspects to suit your holiday style.

This South of France itinerary focuses on what I consider to be the most beautiful and authentic area of Southern France – Provence . I’m lucky enough to call Provence home, and I love sharing my knowledge of what makes this region of France so special. So let’s jump in and start planning your holiday to Provence!

Itinerary for a Week in Provence, France

Ideally, you’ll arrive on a Friday and leave on a Friday to take full advantage of the following Provence itinerary. It’s been designed to make the most of opening times, market days and other seasonal events.

But if that’s not possible, don’t despair! You’ll still have a brilliant time, and you can mix the days up as you choose.

The following itinerary also assumes you’ll have a car available to use during your visit. Although some people are nervous about driving in France, there really isn’t too much to be concerned about. I really believe the best way to explore Provence is by car, so you can go at your own pace, discover hidden gems and stop at breathtaking roadside scenes as you go.

Tips for Getting Around Provence

• The roads are narrow, so it’s best to hire a smaller car ( book your car rental here ).
• Directions are well signposted, or you can get around with the help of a map, GPS, or map on your phone.
• Stick to smaller road networks instead of the motorway to drive alongside vineyards and olive groves, and you’ll get to see some beautiful hamlets or smaller villages that you’d otherwise miss.

Best Time to Visit Provence

It’s hard to pinpoint the best time to travel to Provence, as it depends on what you want to do while you’re here! With that said, there are definitely pros and cons for each season, so I’ll go over these briefly below.

Visiting Provence in Winter

Winter is not a popular time to visit Provence unless you’re headed for the Alps! It’s therefore much quieter around the region, but as a consequence, you’ll find a lot of the attractions are closed during this period.

• Good deals on accommodation
• Experience the ‘real Provence’
• Visit beautiful Christmas markets and experience Provençal Xmas traditions
•  Some tourist attractions closed
• Colder weather

Visiting Provence in Spring

I know I said it’s hard to pick the best time to visit Provence, but if I absolutely had to, I’d say Spring. The landscape is filled with wonderfully bright flowers, the sleepier villages start to come to life again and the weather is much more pleasant.

• The sun is out, and the weather is generally lovely by mid-late Spring
• Tourist attractions open their doors again
• Experience Easter celebrations around the region
• Spring is prime time for the Mistral to be blowing – a strong, cool wind that makes it almost impossible to enjoy outdoor activities in exposed areas. The good news is that it usually only lasts a day or so before dying off again.

Visiting Provence in Summer

Summer is, without a doubt, the most popular time to visit Provence. The days are hot and long, the lavender fields are in full bloom, and the beaches are perfect for sunning yourself. But there are also downsides to visiting in the busy period of June to September.

• Consistently hot, dry weather.
• Perfect time to enjoy swimming in the Mediterranean, or in your own pool
• Many festivals and events take place throughout July & August
• Crowds, especially on the beaches
• Some walking tracks (such as the Calanques walk ) are closed due to the risk of wildfires

Visiting Provence in Autumn

Autumn is another good time to visit Provence. The weather remains hot throughout September and the crowds begin to thin. School is back, which means mid-week trips to the beach and attractions are much quieter.

• Weather at the beginning of Autumn is hot, and it remains fairly warm throughout the season
• School is back, meaning fewer holidaymakers are around
• You can expect more rain in Autumn than in Spring.

Looking for more Provence travel inspiration? Don’t forget to join our free Facebook group  Provence Travel Planning !

Where to Stay in Provence

To choose the best place to stay in Provence, I’d advise you to have a read of our Provence Hotel Guide .

For the purposes of this itinerary, I’ve recommended the best location to stay for each day in order to reduce the number of accommodation changes throughout the week. No one likes to have to pack up and check-in/out of hotels every day!

I’m going to start the itinerary in the popular base of Avignon , but you could just as easily pick a base in many a place nearby. L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a good choice if you’d like a slower pace, and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a popular spot too.

Alternatively, you could do this Provence itinerary backwards and start in Aix-en-Provence !

Day 1 (1/2 Day) Pont du Gard & Avignon

Stay: Avignon

Arrival day in Provence! Whether you’re driving, taking the train, or flying into Provence, it’s going to eat up a few hours of your first day, so I’ve started this itinerary with a half-day, and it’s ending with a half-day on day eight.

Once you’ve arrived and are ready to explore – set the tone of your tour around Provence with a visit to one of the finest sites in the South of France! The Pont du Gard is just a half-hour drive from Avignon and the perfect place to spend your first afternoon.

Before leaving Avignon, pop into Les Halles to pick up some picnic supplies. Les Halles is Avignon’s centrally-located covered farmers market that’s open every day except Monday and offers an authentic way to get acquainted with the fresh flavours of the region.

Tip – If you happen to be visiting Avignon on a Saturday, don’t miss the live cooking demonstration at Les Halles at 11 am! 

Once you arrive at the Pont du Gard you can settle down for lunch with a view of the highest Roman aqueduct in the world. Depending on the weather, you may like to take a dip in the Gardon River before drying off and strolling across the bridge into the heavenly scented bush on the other side.

When you head back into Avignon, you can enjoy dinner in the old town, where you’ll find plenty of dining options – from Michelin Star restaurants to cheap and cheerful family-run bistros.

Day 2 – Avignon

Leave the car parked today and explore the sights of Avignon by foot.

Start with a visit to the most famous attraction in Avignon , Palais des Papes. Once home to the Popes (hence its name), the well-preserved palace is an intriguing place to visit throughout the morning. Take a virtual tour of the palace and papal apartments before pausing for lunch.

For a fun lunch experience, you could try the open kitchen in Les Halles – Cuisine Centr’Halles. Or simply fill up on delicious treats from the boulangerie before heading to your next stop – the Pont d’Avignon.

If you’ve seen a photo of Avignon, you’ve most likely seen a picture of its most famous bridge. Once spanning the length of the Rhône, nowadays only 4 of its original 22 stone arches remain. Take a stroll to the end, pop inside the petite chapel, and visit the exhibition that includes a couple of short films about the history of the bridge.

Tip – A combined ticket to the Pope’s Palace and the Pont d’Avignon will save you money. Buy your tickets here.

In the afternoon, head to Avignon’s elevated garden, Rocher des Doms, for stunning views of the city. The shaded garden is a good place to seek respite from the afternoon heat, have a cool drink at the café, or relax by the pond as you watch the peacocks strutting by.

Day 3 – L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Fontaine de Vaucluse (plus Grottes Option)

Head to the charming canalside town of L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Known as the antique capital of Provence, you’ll be spoiled for choice if you’re looking for a unique souvenir or memento of your time in France.

Even if you don’t visit on market day (Sunday), there are many brocantes and antique stores dotted throughout the town where you’ll find both expensive and inexpensive gems.

Enjoy lunch at one of the cafés positioned to make the most of the town’s unique situation. L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue translates to “the island on the (river) Sorgue” and you certainly feel as though you’re on an island as you explore the water framed streets. Wander past the moss-covered waterwheels that serve as a reminder of the town’s textile industry before heading to the nearby village of Fontaine de Vaucluse.

It’s in Fontaine de Vaucluse that you’ll find the source of the river Sorgue. A deep spring emerges from the craggy mountainside and flows down into the village of the same name.

As you enter the village you’ll find a small smattering of boutiques selling locally made wares, and restaurants strategically positioned to make the most of the stunning views. A short gently sloping walk will take you along a riverside path to the fountain. The fontaine always looks different – sometimes spilling over the rocks and through any stubborn trees that dare grow in its path, and at other times resting silently at the bottom of an orange-hued cave.

As an optional extra, if you have the time, the Grottes de Thouzon make for a fascinating side trip before heading back to Avignon for the night. A short walk through a grotto full of pencil-thin stalactites, cave pearls, and underground lakes will delight you, and the informative guides will make the experience a memorable one.

Day 4 – Les Baux de Provence and Glanum

History buffs will be in their element today with not one but two ancient sites to discover. But even if history isn’t your thing, there’s still plenty of variety to keep everyone happy on day 4 of our 7-day South of France itinerary.

First up you’ll be heading to Les Baux de Provence , officially one of the most beautiful villages in Provence, and home to the magnificent Château des Baux. Although the castle is now in ruins, it remains one of the most impressive châteaux in Provence , and there’s plenty left to explore within the old walls and wider grounds.

Once you’ve taken the time to wander the charming village and explore the château, head 5 mins down the road to Carrières de Lumières. Unlike anything you’ve likely experienced before, Carrières de Lumières is an art-based multimedia show set within an abandoned underground stone quarry in the Alpilles.

The exhibit changes yearly and showcases some of the greatest artists in history. The 2020 exhibition brings works from Spanish artist Salvador Dali to life. The show, “The Endless Enigma” features works spanning the length of the artist’s career. It’s truly one of the most unforgettable things to do in Provence.

Tip – Buy a combined ticket to Château des Baux and Carrières de Lumières to save money.

A short drive back in the direction of Avignon will bring you to the fortified town of Glanum. A remarkable site not far from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Glanum is over 2,000 years old. It was destroyed by Germanic tribes in 260 AD and has remained abandoned ever since.

First rediscovered in the 16th century, it wasn’t until more recent times that serious excavation and preservation efforts have been carried out. Today you can walk among the ruins while imaging the grand structures that once stood in their place. Peek into the sacred well, rest your eyes on the remnants of the twin temples, and hear the water that flows beneath a deserted street.

Day 5 – The Villages of the Luberon

An absolute must-do on your South of France itinerary is a tour of the Luberon Villages . It’s easy to spend an entire day (or several) exploring the hillside villages and incredible scenery of this unique part of France.

Start at the Sénanque Abbey and you’ll find a wonderful scene framed by fragrant lavender fields in the summer months. From here it’s a short drive to the most famous Luberon village, Gordes .

Tuesday is market day in Gordes, so sample the freshest flavours of the region as you wander around the ancient streets. Think about visiting the Village des Bories nearby before continuing on to the pastel-coloured town of Roussillon.

Built next to an ochre mine, the village lends itself as a haven for artists and the streets are awash with galleries and generous splashes of colour. The ochre mine next door is an attraction unlike any other. Take a short but stunning walk through the dusty red canyons and pine-fringed valleys of the ochre trail before continuing your Luberon tour.

Bonnieux and Lacoste are up next. Both lovely villages with a slower pace of life and enough differences to make them both worthy of a visit. Bonnieux is lovingly restored and has sweeping views over the fertile landscape of the Luberon. Walk the stone staircase to the church at the top of the village for the best views.

Next door, Lacoste is home to a semi-restored château that you can visit during the summer months. At other times, walk around the back of the castle to view the contemporary sculptures and views of surrounding hilltop villages.

A trip to Goult and Ménerbes will round the day off nicely. In Goult, follow the signs through rustic streets to take in all the best bits. Don’t miss the restored windmill and the terraced gardens showcasing the area’s agricultural history.

Ménerbes is best explored at leisure. Stroll the bucolic village before heading to the quirky corkscrew museum nearby and end the day with a wine tasting session at Domaine de la Citadelle.

Tip – full details of your Luberon driving tour and options to extend can be found here.

Day 6 – Camargue and Arles or Nîmes

Stay: Avignon , Cassis, or Aix-en-Provence

The sixth day of your Provence itinerary will see you heading south to one of the most intriguing places in Provence.

The Camargue is Western Europe’s largest river delta with around 930 sq km of marshes and wetlands to explore. Unsurprisingly this fertile land attracts a vast array of wildlife and it’s here you’ll find over 400 species of birds including the impressive pink greater flamingos.  

The infamous black Camargue bulls also roam freely among the reeds and herds of snow-white horses – one of the oldest horse breeds in the world – live in harmony with nature.

The best way to discover this area when you’re short on time is to take a tour. Tours depart Arles and Avignon daily and will allow you to see the best of the Camargue while providing you with an interesting and informative commentary.

Book Your Camargue Tour Here.

Alternatively, you can head directly to Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau where you’re almost guaranteed to see flamingos in the wild.

In the afternoon, you can choose to visit Arles nearby, or Nîmes a little further afield.

Arles has a small but perfectly formed old town with plenty to see and do in an afternoon. Take a free Van Gogh walking tour to see the exact spots depicted in the late artist’s work, visit the grand amphitheatre, or take a walk through the underground Cryptoportiques.

Nîmes is a larger town but is still very walkable. It’s notable for its many Roman monuments – many of which are among the most well-preserved in the world. Be sure to take a walk through the magnificent public gardens – the Jardins de la Fontaine.

One of the first-ever public gardens in Europe, they are a fascinating mix of open green spaces, large water features, intricate sculptures, and ancient ruins. Climb to the top of the gardens for unmatched views of the city!

Day 7 – Cassis and the Calanques

Stay: Aix-en-Provence

Cassis is a charming portside town tucked in between towering cliffs near Marseille on the Mediterranean coast. It’s by far one of the more popular places to visit in the South of France due to its recent reputation as the new St Tropez .

But while Cassis benefits from its stunning geographical location, beautiful beaches, and historically interesting sites, personally I think it’s better suited as a day trip destination than a long-term holiday base.

If you arrive early enough, you can stroll through the old town, browse the colourful boutiques, take in the historic buildings, and walk the pier – all in a morning. You then have the option of dining quayside, or grabbing lunch to-go and heading to the calanques.

The Calanques of Cassis are one of the most impressive natural attractions in Provence . The first time I laid eyes on these high-rise limestone cliffs I was absolutely blown away by their incredible size and stature as they jut out into the azure blue sea.

Hiking the calanques is an ideal way to appreciate the natural beauty of this national park, but if you’re short on time, or the track is closed (as it often is during the summer months when the risk of wildfires is higher), then taking a boat tour or hiring a kayak to explore the calanques from below is the way to go.

Whichever way you decide to explore the calanques , it’s sure to be one of the most memorable moments of your trip.

Day 8 – Aix-en-Provence

The last half-day of your one week in Provence itinerary is spent enjoying Aix-en-Provence . The cultural capital of Provence really deserves a longer stay, but perhaps after being immersed in the city for a morning, you’ll be convinced to come back!

Colourful produce and flower markets are held throughout the week filling the streets with the lively atmosphere synonymous with the South of France. After you’ve browsed the wares on offer, stop for a coffee at a corner café or head to one of the famed museums to witness the true heart of this historical city .

The old town is best explored without a plan of attack. You’ll thoroughly enjoy wandering around the curved streets and hidden alleyways, coming across an elaborate – or downright eccentric – fountain at every turn. The Pavillon Vendôme is perfect for a mid-morning repose, and the iconic Hôtel de Caumont arts centre shouldn’t be sidestepped!

Tip – If you’ve forgotten to pick up Provence souvenirs or gifts for those back home, pop into the gift shop in the centrally located tourist office. They stock a small but curated selection of the region’s finest products.

It’s impossible to see everything Provence has to offer in just one week, but this 7-day South of France itinerary is sure to give you an in-depth taster of this delectable part of France !

If you’re looking to extend your trip by a few extra days, I’d suggest checking out my posts on day trips from Avignon , and Aix-en-Provence to find inspiration for a few extra days touring.

Pin this for later!

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49 comments.

Loved your Itinerary of South of France. We will be traveling in mid October.

That’s great – so glad you found it helpful!

This sounds amazing! Travelling with an almost 1 year old – do you think it’s doable basing ourselves in Avignon?

Hi Sophie, I think it’s doable with an almost 1-year-old! I remember at that age my son was easy enough to cart around with the help of a baby carrier (easier than prams on French streets!). I’ve deliberately not overloaded the days, as I don’t think rushing around does anyone any favours. So you should be fine 🙂

This is great! Thanks for sharing this one week itinerary to visit Southern France, it indeed is perfect! This will be our itinerary come this week. Appreciate much!

You’re most welcome Berna! I hope you enjoy your time in Provence 🙂

We will be visiting Southern France in Mid May 2019. Your information has been very helpful for our planning. Thank you!

You’re so welcome! Glad you found it helpful 🙂

This is an absolutely fantastic itinerary and so wonderfully well-explained; the best I’ve found anywhere on the Internet. It has helped us immensely to organise our own itinerary. Thank you so much!

This makes me so happy to hear! Thanks for your lovely comment and I hope you have a fantastic holiday in Provence 🙂

Thank you Nadine – terrific suggestions. WE will be heading there in early June 2019 and have almost 2 weeks to spend there. FRom Aix, any suggestions for adding 4 or 5 days?

Hi Beth, with an extra few days you’ll want to spend an extra day getting to know Aix itself. You could also head over to the Verdon Gorge which is breathtaking, as are the surrounding villages. You could spend longer getting to know the Luberon area, and around Sault. Head to St Remy for a stroll, Nimes is a fantastic city for history and gardens and Marseille waterfront area is great for a day trip too. It should be fairly warm by then, so the beaches south of Martigues are perfect and not too busy then!

Planning a spring or fall 2019 trip to Provence- your itinerary looks really good! any concerns about driving? For seniors?

Hi Dick, the advice I’d give you regarding driving, is to hire a small car, and take your time. Allow plenty of time to get around so you can stop and take in the view when it suits you. Try to avoid the main large roads as these can get very busy – especially during peak times. And have some kind of GPS on you. Hope you have a great time 🙂

Your blog post is super helpful (and beautiful pictures as well!). I love that you provided highlights for each of the places mentioned. My husband and I have booked a 10 day trip to France for Feb 2019 and were wondering if you could provide some advice. Here is our tentative itinerary:

Feb. 10th – land in Paris at 10am Feb 10th – 14th: stay in Paris (with a day trip to Versailles on Feb. 13th) Feb 14th – take TVG to Nice (19Euros per person one-way direct) Feb 14th – 17th – stay in Nice (and surrounding region) Feb. 17th – rent car and drive to Aix-en-Provence Feb 17th – 19th – stay in Aix-en-Provence (or somewhere else) Feb 19th – take TVG back to Paris (19Euros per person one-way direct) Feb. 19th – stay in Paris Feb 20th – take flight back home in the morning

What are your thoughts? Do you think we are spending enough nights (or not enough) in each of these regions? Or would you recommend just spending 5 nights in Paris and 5 nights in Nice to keep it simple? Given that it will be winter, would you recommend other regions instead (Annecy? Chamonix (although we don’t ski). Thanks!!

Hi Nadia, so sorry for the delayed reply. Oh, it’s so hard when you only have ten days to explore! So I think you’ve done the right thing by choosing just two areas to explore this time around. I’m kind of biased, but I think Paris and Provence is a good place to start. And then you can plan another trip to France to see some more at a later date 🙂 To answer your question, I think it looks pretty much spot on. Again, I may be a bit biased but I’d cut one day off Nice and move it to Aix – to allow yourself time to explore this side of Provence more. You could even scrape one day off Paris at the beginning – but it depends whether you’re more into city attractions or cultural/countryside attractions. You can see a lot of Paris in 2/3 days. Hope that helps a little and apologies again for the delay!

Wonderful itinerary- thank you for sharing your advice. We are planning on traveling to France this May as a family of 5. The plan is to fly into Paris for a few nights before heading to Provence for 6 nights. I know you recommend driving in Provence, but do you have any suggestions regarding transportation from Paris to Provence? We don’t have any interest in going to Nice during this time, so we would prefer not to fly into that airport. Any advice is appreciated!

Hi Laura, your best bet is to take the TGV to Aix-en-Provence or Avignon – depending on where you’re intending on staying. You could fly into Marseille, but I find the train journey to be much more pleasant and straightforward! Hope that helps 🙂

Thank you, Nadine!

You’re most welcome 🙂

My wife and I are planning to spend 5 days based out of Aix-En-Provence (with hotel points so we are limited there). Do your recommendations change at all if Aix is our home base? We are total wine freaks and love touring the little villages!

Hi Jonathan, with only 5 days, and based in Aix, I’d suggest spending at least two days in the Luberon (where you’ll find plenty of little villages and wineries). Have you read my post about touring the Luberon yet ( find it here )? It has lots of suggestions for driving routes. Then a day maybe down by the coast, around Cassis and the Calanques, a day getting to know Aix, and maybe a day heading over towards Valensole and the Verdon Gorge. More lovely villages around the lake, and if it’s the lavender season (June/July) its the best place to find beautiful fields!

This is really helpful. I’m planning my trip this first week of June 2019. I’m travelling alone though, will you still recommend the same places? Or can you suggest other places as well. I’m thinking of spending 10-15 days after Bordeaux &Lourdes. Thank you very much for your recommendations.

Hi John, yes absolutely! You could also add in the Verdon Gorge (and surrounding villages), the coast around Niolon/Martigues, Sault, or Marseille if you like the city vibe. And/or spend more time in Aix-en-Provence or the Luberon. So many options, sorry 😉

Hello Nadine, Can you give me your thoughts on this itinerary? Houston to Nice, stay in Eze two nights(possibly visit Antibes, Menton, And Vence) drive to St. Remy for three nights(traveling to area village) and Aix for two nights. Fly out of Marsielle. Love your blog!!!!

Hi Melissa, your itinerary looks good to me! By staying in all three areas you’ll get a really good ‘taster’ of these areas – which are all quite different. Have a great trip!

We will be going to South France in May 2019.

Arriving Avignon on 13May for 3 nights. After then 1 night in Provence and 2 nights in Nice.

We have not plan much with our itinerary. Will you be able to help.

Thanks and regards Doreen

Hi Doreen, unfortunately, I can no longer offer personalised itineraries. However, I’d suggest starting by reading my Day Trips from Avignon and Day Trips from Aix-en-Provence articles and noting down which things interest you most and going from there. If you’re staying in Avignon you’ll most likely want to spend a day getting to know the city too – it’s lovely and there is plenty to do! Sorry, I don’t have much written about Nice as yet!

My parents and I have just returned from a wonderful week in Provence. We largely followed your itinerary so I wanted to say thank you! It really saved me a job of researching and coming up with my own itinerary for which I was really grateful! We loved how every day was different (we added a St Tropez day too) and couldn’t actually pick a favourite day as each day offered so much. Unfortunately, though we bought tickets, we didn’t actually go to Carrières de Lumières as the queues were quite ridiculous – which was surprising as we experienced very few queues anywhere else. Instead, we continued straight to Glarnum and really enjoyed the site. In Cassis, we also drove the Corniche des Cretes (which I have visited before) to take in the wonderful view – it was just as impressive as I remembered.

I’m heading back to the South of France this summer to spend a month in Nice/Villefranche-sur-Mer – I cannot wait! I’m hoping for more of the same wonderful weather!

Anyway, thank you again!!

Ah – you are so welcome Sheralyn! Thanks for telling me about your experience and for the lovely feedback. Much appreciated 🙂 Enjoy your time on the Côte d’Azur! Best, Nadine

Hi Nadine, We have about 10 days in Provence this summer (July 26-August 9) after four to five days in Paris. Two of our three children have multiple food allergies, so we plan to rent a house as home base so we can pack and prepare some meals. We would like to do as much as possible on your itinerary. Is this doable staying in just one location? (We would rent a car). If so, where would you suggest we stay? I found a lovely home in Louramin and another in Villars. Are these too remote? The other possibility is finding two different houses to rent but that can get tricky with seven day minimums with most rentals. Thank you! Laura

Hi Laura, Yes renting houses normally comes with a one-week min rental in summer. But don’t worry, it’s totally doable staying at just one location. We often do all of these places as day trips from our home in Rognes. Villars would be good for visiting the Luberon, but Lourmarin is better located for exploring – I’d go with that. It’s a lovely village too. Otherwise, you could look at a village further south for good access routes, like Venelles or Puyricard but they don’t have the same feel as the villages in the Luberon. Hope you find something amazing! Best, Nadine

Sorry, I meant to type Lourmarin. Thank you!

We expect to be there mid to late February next year. I was wondering how the 7 day tour would stack up in winter. It sounds perfect to me and touches on most things we want to see and experience. Are there other places we should go instead. I suspect there will be some rainy days, and it really isn’t swim suit weather but there will be enough and more…. to just be there. So do you get snow there? Is Carnival celebrated there? What would be the best place to stay in winter? So glad I found your site.

Hi Nancy, it changes every year so hard to say specifically. Last February we had a tiny bit of snowfall in February and this year we’re seeing temperatures of up to 20 degrees (Celcius) already and beautiful blue skies – very little rainfall actually as that normally comes later. There are just a few attractions that won’t be open – Carrières de Lumières for example – and less frequent markets, but other than that it’s business as usual. Carnival is celebrated nearby, in Nice, mid-late Feb. For a winter stay I’d still recommend Avignon or Aix as a base for exploring the region. Hope that helps – feel free to pop over to our Provence Travel Planning Facebook group if you have more questions 🙂

We are a kiwi family of 4 and will be arriving in Provence in mid Sept for 11 days. Your itinerary looks fantastic but I’ve seen your comments about driving, particularly the small roads. We have toured that area before in smallish hire cars but this time we were planning to do 1 week in a camper van because the kids love the idea but I’m worried that it will stop us seeing places due to its size / parking etc. As you live there I’d really appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks, Duncan

Hi Duncan, yes I normally recommend smaller cars if you’re inexperienced driving on smaller roads. But as it sounds like you’ve done it before, and if you have experience with campers, you may find it’s ok. With the villages in the Luberon, you’ll need to park outside the villages anyway and there are often large carparks outside for this purpose. Some attractions also have dedicated camper parking – normally a little further away. For example, at the Village des Bories outside of Gordes, there is campervan parking, but quite far away, as the road to access the village is too narrow. Places like the Camargue and Pont du Gard, Avignon & Aix etc you’ll have no trouble I’d imagine. So, it won’t stop you – just be prepared to walk a little further in some cases! Have a fab trip 🙂

Thank you for this! We are a family of 5 who will be visiting the last week of September and basing ourselves in Alleins. Your blog is very helpful! We’d love to do do canoeing, hiking and biking. Do you think the weather at that time of year will be be warm enough to swim in the river or in the sea? Thanks!

Hi Julia, first of all, Alleins is a great village as a base! We used to live there and still have our Airbnb in the village. As for swimming, it’s typically still swimmable in September, as it has had all summer to warm up, but the temperature does taper off a bit by the end of the month. It depends how brave you are 😉 I don’t find our ‘part’ of the Med ever gets super warm… You might be better off going to Lac de Sainte Croix which is absolutely stunning and a must-do if you’re an outdoor loving family! Hope you have a fab time. Nadine

Wonderful itinerary, thank you so much!! My husband and I are coming Oct 11-21 for our honeymoon! We fly into Barcelona and will be renting a car and driving up to Provence area.We get in mid afternoon to Barcelona so we are planning to rent our car and stay on the Costa Brava the night we get in. Then exploring that area for a bit on Sunday, then driving up to France. Wondering what you would recommend- here are our options we have been debating:

1. When driving up from Barcelona, veer off to Carcassone and Toulouse (probably would also visit Albi) for a few days. Then drive over to Provence area, probably Avignon to stay, and be in Provence for around 4-4.5 days. Then drive back to Barcelona.

2. After leaving Costa Brava, drive straight to France, probably stop in Narbonne for the night on the 13th. Head to Avignon and spend the entire time we are there in Provence- doing similar things to what your itinerary outlines. We would have about 6-6.5 days in Provence.

3. After leaving Costa Brava, drive straight to France, probably stop in Narbonne for the night on the 13th. Head to Avignon and spend whole time there. Do a day trip (or potentially a few days) in Lyon.

Which would you recommend? Or is there something we should do even differently? Thanks!!

Hi Melanie, apologies for the delay with my reply. With ten days up your sleeve, you certainly have a fair bit of time to look around. I loved Narbonne when I visited, but I’m not sure how lively it is in October. And I’ll admit I’m not familiar with Lyon yet. I guess it depends if you’re more city people, or village people! Avignon is a beautiful city, that feels more like a large village, especially if you stay in the centre. I would think 6-7 days is a good time to explore the best of what Provence has to offer. And my inclination would be that if you want to see somewhere a little different, to do the Carcassone option on the way. Rather than going all the way up to Lyon. Hope that helps a little!

Hi Nadine, we are travelling to France in january 2021 and depart on a cruise leaving Marseille on 16 january for 8 days. We arrive in Nice about 4/01/20 and would like advise on what to do after that as we want to hire a car and visit the Provence area and the south of Spain for the next 10 days. Do we hire a car in Nice or travel by train to Marseilles or Avignon at where we will hire a car. Because it is winter, we would like to visit Annecy from Lyon, by train or bus to Annecy. Please suggest an itinerary from your experience.

Hi Geoffrey, Seeing as your cruise is departing from Marseille, I’d recommend taking the train (or FlixBus) from Nice to Marseille and hiring a car there. This way you won’t get charged one-way fees that can be quite high. With ten days you could take in Marseille (& Cassis), Aix, Avignon, the Luberon & the Camargue area fairly easily before heading down to Spain. However, you won’t have time to drive to Southern Spain unless you want to spend a lot of time in the car! I’d recommend Catalonia instead. I’m not sure how the Lyon/Annecy trip fits in? Is it part of the ten days, or in addition? Best, Nadine

Thank you for writing this informative article .i have read twice a time

Hi, Nadine, your itinerary is just perfect for our trip that I’m planning for the fall of 2021 for our 30th anniversary. We’ve never been to France and want to fly into Paris, spend 2 days there and then take the train to follow your itinerary. After that we want to make our way down to the Val D’Orcia in Pienza and spend a week at our favorite agriturismo. Is it possible to take a train from Aix to Florence (that’s where we would transfer to get to our car rental in Terantola)?

Hi Judy. I do believe it would be possible. But train travel between the south of France and Italy isn’t normally fast, cost-effective, or straight forward from my experience! I think you may find it’s easier and cheaper to fly from Marseille to Florence. Or from Marseille to Rome and then take the high-speed train to Florence.

Can’t wait

I love your itinerary but I will be traveling with a group that does not want to “move around”. I would love your input on a 5 vs 6 night stay in St Remy. I will be bringing family (total of 4 couples) to Provence April 23-30, 2022. They do not like to “pack & unpack” so I will rent a luxury farmhouse in St. Remy for the either 5 or 6 nights. We will fly back to the US on April 30th. I cannot decide if we should spend 5 nights in St Remy then the last 2 nights at a waterfront hotel on the French Riviera (would have to be within 1 hr of the Nice airport OR the other option is to spend 6 nights in St Remy then just the last night close to the Nice airport. Do you think it’s worth moving those last two nights?? Would it allow enough time to see a little of the French Riviera?? Thank you for any suggestions you might have! Jane

If you have your heart set on seeing the seaside, I’d recommend a 5-night stay in St Remy and 2 nights on the Riviera. But keep in mind, April can be a mixed bag weather-wise and the mistral wind (frequent in spring) can make the seaside unenjoyable some days.

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