10 Best Things to Do in Avignon

Avignon is a city that, for decades, was under papal control until it officially became part of France. Therefore, during your visit you will find a great historical and religious legacy, reflected in its monuments and architectural remains.

Among the best things to do in Avignon, I recommend visiting the Papal Palace, the Calvet Museum and the Petit Palais; stroll through the streets of the old town; contemplate the monumental wall or take a walk through the Barthelasse Island and the Gardens des Doms, among other activities.

Buying tickets to the Papal Palace in Avignon is a must. You will discover an important part of the history of the city and its splendour during the Middle Ages. As soon as you arrive, you will be amazed by its monumental size, which, according to experts, extends over 15,000 square metres. You will also be able to contemplate the architectural details that predominate in the columns, ceilings, arches and doors. All of these are representative of the Gothic style.

During the tour you will visit 25 rooms open to the public. Such is the case of the rooms occupied by the nine Popes throughout the 14th century. There you will see frescoes and tapestries by Italian artists such as Matteo Giovannetti and Simone Martini.

You will also have access to the Grand Audience, the Cloister of Pope Benedict XII, the banqueting hall, the Chapel of St. Martial, and so on. And you will enjoy the privileged views of the gardens and the city from the terraces. You will also be able to enter the bookshop and buy some souvenirs of this experience.

Useful information

• Price: If you book the ticket for the Papal Palace of Avignon in Hellotickets you can buy it at a price of 17 € per person.
• Opening hours: In winter, from 9am to 6pm and in summer, from 9am to 8pm.
• Address: Place du Palais des Papes 84000 Avignon.

One of the best tours in Avignon is the walking tour through the streets of the city. This is an experience that you can do on your own or with a guide. You will learn about the history and culture of the place, while discovering its architectural and natural charm.

Among the main destinations you will walk through during this activity are the following:

• The exterior of the Palace of the Popes, a monument representative of the Gothic-medieval style.
• The Saint Bénezet bridge over the river Rhône. This is a historic medieval ruin.
• The defensive walls of the city, considered by Unesco as a World Heritage Site since 1995.
• The exterior of the Cathedral Notre Dame des Doms, with its Romanesque style.
• The Rue des Teinturiers, which is lined with a series of stone houses. For example, the Maison du IV de Chiffre, a Gothic building dating from 1943. You will also find several wheel mills used for silk dyeing between the 14th and 19th century.

My recommendation is to book a tour of Avignon with a guided visit to the Papal Palace, so that you can get to know the historic centre of Avignon and the city's most important monument in depth with a professional guide.

Useful information

• Price: this tour costs approximately €71 per person.
• Duration: the guided activity lasts three hours.

One of my favourite things to do in Avignon is to book a wine tour of Catheauneuf du Pape, a Provençal village that amazes all who visit and is popularly known for its wine tradition and the historical presence of the Popes.

On this wine tour, which lasts about 4 hours and is guided by an expert guide, you will have the opportunity to visit two traditional wine cellars where you will taste the main wines and learn all the details about the different varieties and the production of the local wine.

You will also visit the ruins of the castle from where you will have a spectacular view of the Rhône valley to capture some of the best snapshots of your trip.

Useful information

• Price: this tour costs approximately €96 per person.
• Duration: the guided activity lasts four hours.

During your stay of 2 days or more in Avignon, you can visit the imposing ramparts that surround the city, built during the 14th century. Also, if you book tickets for the Pont d'Avignon, you will see this and other Roman remains of historical importance as you pass by.

The ramparts of Avignon are part of a circular route usually included in guided tours of the Roman sites of Avignon. However, you can walk this route on your own, starting at the Pont d'Avignon.

Along the walk of just over 4.3 kilometres, you will see these walls, 3 metres wide and 8 metres high, which have been preserved over the centuries. You will also find a total of 3 semicircular towers, up to 36 square towers and some gates dating from the 14th century. You will also find excavations and remains of Roman constructions. Such is the case of the emblematic Plaza del Reloj, formerly known as the Roman forum.

Visiting the Jardins des Doms is a great way to relax and breathe fresh air during your stay in Avignon. Disconnect from the bustling historic centre and get in touch with nature while enjoying a fabulous panoramic view of the city.

Throughout your visit, you will discover the history of this natural space officially converted into a garden in the 19th century. You will be surrounded by century-old trees, hills and quiet walking trails. You will also find a pond with a few ducks and swans.

As you walk through the park, you will come across a number of statues. This is the case of the Vénus aux Hirondelles by Félix Chapentier, illustrious figures such as Félix Gras and Jean Althen, among others. There is also a children's area with swings, slides and other attractions for the little ones to enjoy. In fact, if after this visit you want to continue your escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can book an excursion in Provence from Avignon.

Useful information

• Price: admission to these gardens is free.
• Opening hours: every day of the year from 7.30am until 8pm.
• Address: 2 Mont des Moulins, 84000 Avignon.

Avignon is a city with a wealth of history and art, which is evident in the rooms of the Calvet Museum, which contains everything from archaeological pieces to paintings representing Classicism, Romanticism, Realism and Impressionism, sculptures, a range of artefacts and objets d'art.

Among the art exhibits on display in the museum you will enjoy the Vernet Gallery, dedicated to the city's artists from the Renaissance to the Revolution. The Victor Martin room exhibits paintings and sculptures from the late 19th and 20th centuries. Meanwhile, in the Saint Priest room you will see local sculptures from the 16th and 17th centuries. You will also find other rooms of great importance:

• Asian art room: with statuettes, vases and artefacts belonging to China, Japan, India, among others. For example, the Buddha head called the Chief of Avalokitesvara (year 1200).
• Islamic art room: handmade ceramics such as the plate with floral decoration from around 1570-1580.
• Egyptian art room: with stelae, coffins and statues such as the funerary sculpture from the early 22nd Dynasty or 945-715 BC.

This is certainly a visit not to be missed on your itinerary along with other activities such as the Van Gogh tour in Provence.

Useful information

• Price: the visit to see the museum's permanent exhibitions is free of charge.
• Opening hours: November to February, 10am-1pm and 2-5pm. From March to May and during the month of October, from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm. From June to September, from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 7pm.
• Address: 65 Rue Joseph Vernet, 84000 Avignon.

This is another excursion that will allow you to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy one of the main natural lungs of the region. A visit to Barthelasse Island, a 10-minute drive from the historic centre, is an activity not to be missed.

Just cross the Édouard Daladier Bridge to reach this picturesque river island. There, you will find several recreational and relaxation areas, allowing you to spend a different kind of day without leaving Avignon. For example, you will find green paths with privileged panoramic views of the Pont d'Avignon, the ramparts and the Papal Palace. Moreover, if you stroll along the shores of the island, you will see some animal species such as herons, hedgehogs, ducks, badgers, sparrow hawks, among others.

You will also find a skate park, camping areas and a football pitch. And on the island you can also do some shopping in the souvenir shops and local products. In fact, if you wish, you can visit the Manguin distillery for some tastings.

If you are interested in medieval and Renaissance art, you must visit the Petit Palais. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a museum in the city of Avignon where you will find important collections of sculptures and paintings by great French and Italian masters.

Among the exhibits you can enjoy are Italian paintings, sculptures from Avignon (Romanesque and Gothic) and paintings from the Avignon school. In total, you will find 600 sculptures and an average of 390 paintings. For example, you will see The Madonna and Child by Sandro Boticelli or the Crucifix by Berlinghieri.

Useful information

• Price: admission to this palace-museum is free.
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday, 10am-1pm and 2-6pm.
• Address: Palais des archevêques, Pl. du Palais, 84000 Avignon.

Avignon Cathedral or Notre-Dame-des-Doms is another must-see during your visit. It is a 12th century religious building, which has preserved its Gothic and Romanesque style, along with a number of architectural and artistic gems.

Upon arrival, you will be amazed by the golden Virgin, which rises above the western tower of the building (now the bell tower). It is a statue approximately 6 metres high, made of lead. Also, at the front you will see a sculpture of Saint John and the Virgin Mary, accompanied by a large crucifix. Once inside the Cathedral you will find several examples of art. For example:

• The entrance portico with a style of ancient Roman art.
• The mausoleum built in honour of Pope John XXII, in which a 14th century Gothic carving stands out.
• The Chapel of the Flowers, with the Adoration of the Shepherds by Eugène Dévéria, the tombs of Pope Benedict XII and Archbishop Domenico De Marine.

You will also see the main nave, the baroque tribunes and the choir carved in wood. You will see furniture such as the Episcopal chair in white marble from the 12th century, an organ from the 17th century, the altarpiece of the Crucifix, painted in 1520 by Antoine Rozen, among other relics.

Useful information

• Entry to Avignon Cathedral is free.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 6.30am-12pm and 2.30pm-5.30pm; Sunday, 9am-12pm and 2.30pm-5.30pm.
• Address: Pl. du Palais, 84000 Avignon.

During your stay of at least 3 days in Avignon, you cannot miss the Saint Didier Church, a monument more than 600 years old and home to great relics. Come and see one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in the city.

• Church façade: This area of the church - built in the 11th century - has undergone several transformations, both in the 12th century and in the 16th century. Nowadays, you will see most of the façade made of jointed stones and slate. On the western façade there is a triple stone arch framed by white and red columns. The latter are crowned by capitals (architectural elements) inspired by anthropomorphic and plant motifs.
• Inside the church: You will find a bas-relief of the Ascent to Calvary by Francesco Laurana. This work, valued as one of the first representations of the Renaissance style in France, used to accompany the high altar, but is now located right in the chapel of the collegiata. You will also have the opportunity to enter the north chapel and see the murals and paintings preserved since the end of the 15th century. You will also find some outstanding works such as the famous Carrying of the Cross.

Useful information

• Entry to this religious monument in Avignon is free of charge.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, from 8am to 5pm. The church is closed on Sundays. However, opening hours may change according to Avignon's festivities, so you should check before your trip on the website of the Avignon Diocese.
• Address: 10 Pl. Saint-Didier, 84000 Avignon.