Avignon

France

France Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.


Shop Book

Why visit Avignon

Attention, quiz fans: name the city where the pope lived during the early 14th century. Answered Rome? Bzzz: sorry, wrong answer. For 70-odd years of the early 1300s, the Provençal town of Avignon was the centre of the Roman Catholic world, and though its stint as the seat of papal power only lasted a few decades, it's been left with an impressive legacy of ecclesiastical architecture, most notably the soaring, World Heritage–listed fortress-cum-palace known as the Palais des Papes.

Meet your new travel partner

Stay connected in Avignon

Holafly eSIM provides unlimited mobile data with no hidden fees, giving you peace of mind wherever you travel. Stay connected even after your plan ends with Always On. Use code LONELYPLANET for an exclusive discount.

Get 5% off

Take your France trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Summer Soirée: 10 Days of French Wine, Sun, and Culture

10 days / 9 nights

highlights

  1. 1 Uncovering the mysteries and secrets of the Louvre with an immersive museum tour-turned-game
  2. 2 Hopping between scenic Provencal vineyards to sip and sample the region's best wines
  3. 3 Experiencing the life and legacy of Van Gogh on an art tour through Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Arles
from $3,800

per person

Explore more trips

Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Top places to visit in Avignon

Discover the best attractions in Avignon from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

Travel Guides

Avignon travel tips from Lonely Planet experts

Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.

Best Things to Do

Set beside the Rhône, Avignon is famed for its medieval architecture, papal history and annual arts festival. Here are the top things to do in Avignon.


Read full article

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Avignon