Avignon Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Avignon showing heritage elements, a river or creek and heritage architecture
Avignon
Avignon showing flowers
Avignon which includes a city and heritage architecture
Pont d\'Avignon featuring heritage architecture and a river or creek

Fancy exploring a Mediaeval city with a rich history where most of the landmarks are UNESCO World Heritage sites? Then look no further, Avignon will satisfy budding knights and culture vultures alike.

As the heart of Christianity in the Middle Ages, the City of Popes has retained its charm and its impressive architecture, while becoming a Mecca for culture with its theatre festival, not to mention its bridge, immortalised in the famous song!

To visit Avignon is to step back in time to age of knights: explore the monumental Papal Palace, sitting atop the Rocher des Doms, built in the 14th century under the auspices of Popes Benedict XII and Clement VI. It is the largest Gothic palace in the West and its 25 rooms that are open to the public will delight those with an interest in history and religion.

But this imposing rock, which dominates the city and the Rhône, is not home just to the palace. Once your visit is finished, set off to explore the Pont Saint-Bénézet, the Ramparts, Avignon Cathedral and the city walls, all UNESCO World Heritage sites. Art-lovers should head for the Musée du Petit Palais, which is famous for its paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

If it's culture you crave, Avignon is the perfect destination: in addition to its museums, its opera house and its exhibition park, the city hosts the famous Avignon Festival every July. Established by Jean Vilar in 1947, it is one of the oldest theatre festivals in the world and offers nearly 40 shows in around 20 venues, from small chapels to the legendary Cour d'honneur of the Papal Palace.

The city is a real architectural and historic gem, which is still very easy to reach via the Mediterranean high-speed line: Marseilles is only 30 minutes away, Lyon an hour and Paris 2 hours 40 minutes. The small Avignon–Provence airport is also five miles away from the city. The city is also right on Provence's doorstep, so is an ideal base from which to explore the region.

Where to stay in Avignon

Palais des Papes featuring heritage elements and heritage architecture

Avignon City Centre

4.5/5(48 area reviews)

River views, historical sites and museums are some highlights of Avignon City Centre. Make a stop by Rue de la Republique or Place de l'Horloge while you're exploring.

Avignon City Centre
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Quartier Est

When in Quartier Est, you can plan a visit to Rue des Teinturiers and Rocher des Doms, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Quartier Est
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Quartier Nord

Quartier Nord might not have many top sights, but Rue des Teinturiers and City Walls are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Quartier Nord
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Quartier Ouest

While Quartier Ouest isn't home to many top sights, Avignon Festival and Avignon Ferris Wheel are some notable places to visit nearby.

Quartier Ouest
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Rocade Nord

While Rocade Nord may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Rue des Teinturiers and Avignon Festival.

Rocade Nord
Parc des Expositions featuring a small town or village and a river or creek

Montfavet

Montfavet is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Parc des Expositions and Epicurium.

Montfavet
Avignon Grand Hotel
Avignon Grand Hotel
4 out of 5
34 Boulevard Saint Roch, Avignon, Vaucluse
The price is £129 per night from 29 Jul to 30 Jul
£129
29 Jul - 30 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Avignon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"What a fabulous hotel. They upgraded us to a two room suite with a tub and a shower. TV in bedroom, TV in living room. Huge towels. It is located steps away from the train station (Not the TGV) so after our journey from Toulouse, very quick walk to total comfort. We have a pool so don't use that ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Avignon Grand Hotel
Hotel de l'Horloge
Hotel de l'Horloge
4 out of 5
1 Rue Felicien David, Place De I Horloge, Avignon, Vaucluse
The price is £115 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
£115
28 Jul - 29 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Avignon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
Great hotel in the centre of Avignon
"Right in the centre of Avignon and close to Palais du Pape. The breakfast was amazing with plenty of hot and cold choice. All reception staff spoke English and were all very helpful. 10/10"

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Hotel de l'Horloge
Apart'Hotel Sainte-Marthe
Apart'Hotel Sainte-Marthe
6 Route de Lyon, Avignon, Vaucluse
The price is £61 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
£61
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this aparthotel in Avignon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,070 reviews)
"Great value for the price. It’s not fancy but it’s clean and very functional. I appreciate that they have breakfast on site as well as laundry facilities. Very close to the university, and about a 20 minute walk from the tourist office and the center of the old city."

Reviewed on 22 May 2025

Apart'Hotel Sainte-Marthe
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Apart'Hotel Sainte-Marthe
Apart'Hotel Sainte-Marthe
6 Route de Lyon, Avignon, Vaucluse
Stay at this aparthotel in Avignon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,070 reviews)
"Great value for the price. It’s not fancy but it’s clean and very functional. I appreciate that they have breakfast on site as well as laundry facilities. Very close to the university, and about a 20 minute walk from the tourist office and the center of the old city."

Reviewed on 22 May 2025

Apart'Hotel Sainte-Marthe
City Résidence Avignon
City Résidence Avignon
5 Impasse de l'épi, Avignon
Stay at this residence in Avignon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Palais des Papes and City Walls are located nearby.
7.8/10 Good! (197 reviews)
"Aunque la atención del personal es muy buena, es lamentable que estos apartamentos no tengan aire acondicionado con los 30 grados en verano. No se puede tener las ventanas abiertas por el ruido que hacen los vecinos que viven permanentemente en el complejo y además fuman y el humo entra al apartamento. ..."

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2024

City Résidence Avignon
Le Gîte du Festival Sud
Le Gîte du Festival Sud
115 Rue du Mourelet, Avignon, Vaucluse
Stay at this aparthotel in Avignon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Palais des Papes and Musée Louis Vouland are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (8 reviews)
Good value for the price
"Our room was simple but clean and comfortable. The shower was small and a bit dark but clean. Staff was very pleasant and the pool was lovely and clean. There is a bus to the city center if you prefer not to drive and park. Overall nothing elegant but good value for the price."

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2024

Le Gîte du Festival Sud
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Avignon

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
29
5 - Excellent 63%
4 - Good
15
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Interesting city with lots of history & architecture. A short stay prevented us from exploring very much but we spent time in the city centre & visited Pont du Gard. The latter revealed some pretty impressive Roman engineering!

4/5 - Good

Roz

We only had time to visit the Popes palace which was lovely. As were the surrounding streets inside the walls of Avignon

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovey historic city. You need a streetplan. Perhaps from one of the hotels near the railway station. Otherwise you could get lost in the maze of streets inside the historic center. Taxis are rather scarce. Good buses and trains.

5/5 - Excellent

Clau

Really beautiful town

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

There is so much to do and see in this city and by train in the area. I would recommend a bus trip (very good value) to Uzes. Service 115 from the bus station five minutes walk away.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Well worth a visit, a beautiful city

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