Sights in Avignon
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Palais des Papes
This Unesco World Heritage Site, the world’s largest Gothic palace, was built when Pope Clement V abandoned Rome in 1309 and settled in Avignon. The immense scale of the palace, with its cavernous stone halls and vast courtyards, testifies to the wealth of the popes; the 3m-thick walls, portcullises and watchtowers emphasise their need for defence.
Today it takes some imagination to picture the former luxury of these vast bare rooms. You can catch whispering glimpses in the wonderful 14th-century chapel frescos painted by Matteo Giovannetti; in the dark-blue walls of the Pope’s apartment, threaded with dusky red flowers; and in the superb Chambre du Cerf, alive with med…
reviewed
-
City Walls
Wrapping around the city, Avignon's ramparts were built between 1359 and 1370. They were restored during the 19th century, minus their original moats - though even in the 14th century this defence system was hardly state-of-the-art, lacking machicolations (openings in the parapets for niceties like pouring boiling oil on attackers or shooting arrows at them).Within the walls are a wealth of fine museums - the Avignon Passion booklet lists the whole gamut.
The Avignon Passion pass entitles you to 20% to 50% discounted entry on your second and subsequent visits to museums and monuments (the equivalent of student prices), as well as reduced prices on the tourist office walki…
reviewed
-
B
St Bénézet's Bridge
The fabled Pont St-Bénézet (St Bénézet's Bridge) was completed in 1185, a bridge linking Avignon with the settlement across the Rhône that later became Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. The 900m-long wooden structure was repaired and rebuilt several times before all but four of its 22 spans were washed away in the mid-1600s.
reviewed
-
C
Trompe l'Œil Portrait
To peek at Avignon's nine popes in their fashionable garbs of the day, seek out their trompe l'œil portrait on the side of the conseil général (general council) building.
reviewed
-
D
Les Trains Touristiques d'Avignon
Trundling a 40-minute circuit around town, the little tourist trains Les Trains Touristiques d'Avignon are a winner with kids and adults alike.
reviewed
-
E
Pont St-Bénézet
According to legend, pastor Bénézet had three saintly visions urging him to build a bridge across the Rhône. Known to countless kids as the Pont d’Avignon from the chirpy French rhyme, it was completed in 1185 and linked Avignon with Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, controlling trade at this vital crossroads. It was rebuilt several times before all but four of its spans were washed away in the mid-1600s. If you don’t feel like paying to visit the bridge, you can see it for free from the Rocher des Doms park, Pont Édouard Daladier or from across the river on the Île de la Barthelasse’s chemin des Berges.
reviewed
-
F
Place du Palais
A golden statue of the Virgin Mary (weighing a portly 4.5 tons) stands on the dome of the Romanesque Cathédrale Notre Dame des Doms (built 1671–72), outstretched arms protecting the city. Admire fine views from Rocher des Doms gardens. Opposite the Palais des Papes, the building dripping with outsized carvings of fruit and heraldic beasts is the former 17th-century mint, Hôtel des Monnaies.
reviewed
-
G
Notre Dame des Doms
The Romanesque Notre Dame des Doms has stood here since the 12th century, but has had flanks, wings and bits added on ever since - the gilded Virgin statue, poised and glistening at the top of its western tower, dates from the 19th century. Inside the small but richly decorated cathedral are works of art, including a 14th-century mausoleum of Pope John XXII.
reviewed
-
H
Synagogue
Avignon's neoclassical synagogue was first built in 1221. A 13th-century oven used to bake unleavened bread for Passover can still be seen, but the rest of the present round, domed neoclassical structure dates from 1846; a fire destroyed the original edifice in 1845. Visitors must be modestly dressed and men's heads must be covered, as is the custom.
reviewed
-
I
Musée Angladon
Born out of the private collection of couturier Jacques Doucet (1853–1929), this charming museum harbours Impressionist treasures, including the only Van Gogh painting in Provence (Railway Wagons), and works by Cézanne, Manet, Degas and Picasso. Upstairs is a collection of antique furniture and 16th- and 17th-century paintings.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Musée du Pont St-Bénézet
At the entrance to the Pont St-Bénézet, via cours Châtelet, is the new Musée du Pont St-Bénézet where you can make your own DVD of the song. Dreamy (if distant) bridge views unfold from the Rocher des Doms, Pont Édouard Daladier and across the river on the Île de la Barthelasse.
reviewed
-
K
Parc d'Astronomie, du Soleil et du Cosmos
Across the river in Les Angles, planets loom large at the Parc d'Astronomie, du Soleil et du Cosmos, an astronomy park where young masterminds can follow a 1½-hour trail through garrigue to unravel the mysteries of the universe. Call ahead to check what workshops/guided visits it has that day.
reviewed
-
Promenade des Papes
From the Romanesque Cathédrale Notre Dame des Doms (1671-72), the Promenade des Papes (signposted along rue de Mons) leads to the Verger d'Urbain V, gardens - since gravelled over - where the popes grew sweet-smelling plants and herbs and kept exotic animals in cages.
reviewed
-
L
Couvent des Cordeliers
Rue des Teinturiers follows the course of the River Sorgue through Avignon's old dyers' district, where you'll find the former Couvent des Cordeliers, Avignon's largest convent when it was founded in 1226. Inside lies the grave of Laura, the muse of Italian poet Petrarch.
reviewed
-
M
Musée Lapidaire
Museum buffs on a budget will appreciate the Musée Lapidaire, with a random but interesting collection of Egyptian, Roman, Etruscan and early Christian pieces. They range from large sections of marble statuary and hieroglyphics to delicate vases and bronze figurines.
reviewed
-
N
Musée du Petit Palais
The bishops’ and archbishops’ palace during the 14th and 15th centuries is now home to an outstanding collection of lavish 13th- to 16th-century Italian religious paintings created by artists including Botticelli, Carpaccio and Giovanni di Paolo.
reviewed
-
O
Chapelle des Pénitents Gris
Rue des Teinturiers follows the course of the River Sorgue through Avignon's old dyers' district - busy until the 19th century. Some water wheels still turn. Beneath plane trees stands the 16th-century Chapelle des Pénitents Gris.
reviewed
-
P
Musée Calvet
Impressive architecture and art intertwine at the elegant Hôtel de Villeneuve-Martignan (built 1741–54), home of Musée Calvet. Collections include 15th-century wrought-iron works and paintings from the 16th to 20th centuries.
reviewed
-
Q
Université d'Avignon
Université d'Avignon, founded by Pope Boniface VIII in 1303, resides in all its splendour inside Porte St-Lazare, the gate linking the eastern part of the walled city with the modern world.
reviewed
-
R
Collection Lambert
Avignon's contemporary art museum, Collection Lambert, showcases photography, video, and minimalist, conceptual and land art from the 1960s and '70s.
reviewed
Advertisement
