Discover Avignon: The Walled City of Popes in the Heart of Provence

Step back into the 14th century at the Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace in the world, then cross the famous Pont d'Avignon (Pont Saint-Bénézet) over the Rhône. Walk the UNESCO-listed ramparts and visit Avignon Cathedral to uncover the city's extraordinary papal history.

Browse Les Halles, Avignon's vibrant covered market, where more than 40 vendors sell local produce, cheeses, olives, and tapenade. Sample Provençal classics like daube and brandade de morue, then taste the region's celebrated Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines.

Discover medieval masterpieces at the Musée du Petit Palais, including a Botticelli, explore contemporary art at the Collection Lambert, and admire fine art at the Musée Calvet. Each July, the legendary Festival d'Avignon turns the whole city into one of the world's greatest open-air stages.

Join a guided or self-guided walking tour through Avignon's medieval lanes, climb to the Rocher des Doms gardens for panoramic views of the Rhône and Mont Ventoux, and stroll the ramparts. Cross to the Île de la Barthelasse for the classic postcard view of the city walls.

Use Avignon as your base for unforgettable Provence experiences. Take a wine tour through the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the Côtes du Rhône, photograph the purple lavender fields of Sault and Valensole in summer, and explore the hilltop villages of the Luberon.

The historic walled heart of Avignon, Intra-Muros is a maze of cobbled streets, squares, and honey-coloured stone buildings enclosed by medieval ramparts. Stay here for easy walking access to the Palais des Papes, Pont d'Avignon, and the city's best cafés, making it ideal for first-time visitors.

Avignon's lively main square is the social hub of the old town, lined with cafés, restaurants, and the ornate 19th-century Opera House and Town Hall. With its carousel, terraces, and buzzing atmosphere day and night, it's the perfect spot for people-watching and an evening apéritif.

One of Avignon's most atmospheric streets, this cobbled lane follows the Sorgue canal beneath a canopy of plane trees, with old waterwheels recalling its silk and textile past. Today it's a bohemian quarter full of cafés, art galleries, and independent boutiques, perfect for a relaxed stroll.

Centred on the covered Les Halles market, this is the gourmet heart of Avignon. Food lovers come here for fresh Provençal produce, regional cheeses, charcuterie, and seafood, with plenty of nearby bistros and wine bars to sample the city's culinary specialities.

Climb to the Rocher des Doms, a leafy hilltop park beside Avignon Cathedral with romantic ponds and panoramic Rhône views. The adjacent Quartier de la Balance, the city's former Jewish quarter, charms visitors with its narrow lanes and historic stone façades.

One of Europe's largest river islands, the Île de la Barthelasse offers green open spaces, riverside walks, and the most famous photo spot in Avignon: the panoramic view back to the ramparts, Pont d'Avignon, and Palais des Papes. Reach it on foot, by the Pont Daladier, or via the free seasonal ferry.

We recommend: Avignon Highlights

We recommend: Avignon at a Relaxed Pace

We recommend: Côtes du Rhône & Châteauneuf-du-Pape

We recommend: Avignon Cultural Trail

We recommend: Best Day Trips from Avignon

Just 25 km west of Avignon, the Pont du Gard is a spectacular 1st-century Roman aqueduct standing 50 metres tall above the Gardon river. Marvel at the engineering, explore the museum, and cool off with a swim or picnic on the riverbanks below.

Only 25 minutes from Avignon by train, Arles is famous for its remarkably preserved Roman amphitheatre and its links to Vincent van Gogh, who painted some of his greatest works here. It's also the gateway to the wild Camargue wetlands.

About an hour from Avignon, the Luberon is home to some of Provence's most beautiful hilltop villages. Admire the cliffside houses of Gordes, the ochre cliffs of Roussillon, and the lavender-framed Sénanque Abbey on a classic countryside day trip.

A short drive north of Avignon, this prestigious wine village gives its name to one of the world's most celebrated reds. Tour historic cellars, taste at family estates, and climb to the ruined château for sweeping views over the vineyards and the Rhône.

From mid-June to August, the plateaus around Sault and Valensole erupt into endless rows of purple lavender. Roughly 1 to 1.5 hours from Avignon, these iconic Provençal landscapes are best explored on a guided summer tour to catch them in full bloom.

About an hour away, elegant Aix-en-Provence enchants with its tree-lined boulevards, splashing fountains, and lively markets. Follow in the footsteps of Paul Cézanne and soak up the refined café culture of one of Provence's most graceful cities.