Things to do in Avignon
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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…
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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…
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Cuisine du Dimanche
Spitfire chef Marie shops every morning at Les Halles to find the freshest ingredients for her earthy flavour-packed cooking, and takes no culinary short cuts. The market-driven menu changes daily, but specialities include scallops and a simple roast chicken with pan gravy. The narrow stone-walled dining room is a mishmash of textures, from contemporary resin chairs to antique crystal goblets, befitting the chef’s eclecticism. Make reservations.
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L'Echappée Belle
For flavours of cumin, saffron and ginger infusing regional produce; or for homemade pastry and tea, Avignon's new restaurant/salon de thé (tearoom) is a treat. Named after the Nicolas Bouvier novel of the same name (which translates as The Beautiful Escape), L'Echappée Belle is a chic yet relaxed spot amid Avignon's architectural and artistic highlights.
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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.
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Restaurant Brunel
Brunel is a local favourite for authentic Provençal dishes such as aïoli , especially at lunch, when there are outstanding deals on main courses (which always include a fish of the day) and desserts. The handful of outdoor tables is hotly contested in warm weather.
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L’Epice and Love
Tables are cheek by jowl at this tiny bohemian restaurant, decorated with antique kitchenware and mismatched chairs. There’s nothing fancy, just straightforward bistro fare, stews, roasts and other homestyle French dishes. No credit cards.
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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.
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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.
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Food Market
Pack a picnic basket from the 40-plus outlets filling Les Halles' food market.
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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.
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City Tours
The tourist office runs several city tours, including English-language ones on foot. These thematic tours regularly change, but include highlights such as Avignon l'Italienne (Italian Avignon), which departs from the tourist office at 10:00 Thursday and Saturday April to October; and Avignon at the time of the Popes (including a tour of the Palais des Papes), departing from the tourist office at 10:00 Tuesday and Friday from April to October.
From November to March, a city tour in English and French departs at 10:00 on Saturday.
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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.
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Les 5 Sens
Chef Thierry Baucher, one of France’s meilleurs ouvriers (top chefs), reveals his southwestern origins in specialities including cassoulet and foie gras, but goes contemporary-Mediterranean in his gastronomic dishes, such as butternut-squash ravioli with escargots. The dining room is refreshingly unfussy, vaguely French Colonial with rattan and carved wood, and service impeccable.
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Woolloomooloo
Inspired by the Australian bush, this eclectic Avignon institution, in a former printing house adjoining an old paper mill, embraces timber, antiques and a down-to-earth, authentic air that extends to its vegetarian-leaning menu. Get into to the spirit with a glass of the house speciality, Ti-Punch, packing Caribbean rum, lime juice, candied fruits, and spice-infused syrup.
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Provence Le Grand Tour
10.5 hrs (Departs Avignon, France)
by Viator
Go on the Grand Tour from Avignon, visiting the famous Roman, medieval and winemaking sights of Provence. You’ll see the Triumphal Arch in Orange, the legendary…Not LP reviewed
from USD$150.47 -
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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.
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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.
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Provence in One Day Small Group Day Trip from Avignon
10 hrs (Departs Avignon, France)
by Viator
Forget the hassles of hiring a car and finding your own way! Take a small group tour of Provence and its exquisite highlights: Avignon, Pont du Gard, Les Baux d…Not LP reviewed
from USD$125.39 -
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La Fourchette
An enduring classical French bistro west of place de l'Horloge run by the same family for generations, La Fourchette offers a tempting choice of dishes on its fixed-price menu (prices are the same for lunch or dinner). Along with tender lamb, specialities include marinaded sardines, and a sinful meringue ice cream with praline.
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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.
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Le Moutardier
In the medieval days of the Avignon popes, the souffleur blew the fire to get it going, the rôtisseur roasted the meat on it and the moutardier made the mustard - hence the name of this traditional restaurant lazing in the shade of the Palais des Papes with sweeping views from its terrace.
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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.
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Au Tout Petit
The ‘Teeny Tiny’ packs big flavours into every imaginative dish, such as tuna carpaccio with vanilla, or apricot tarte Tatin with rosemary ice cream; simple, smart cooking, maximizing the use of spice. Wines by the glass cost a mere €2.50, and lunch is a steal. Only eight tables make reservations essential.
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Provence Afternoon Half-Day Trip from Avignon
6 hours (Departs Avignon, France)
by Viator
First visit today is to the famous Pont du Gard, vestige of a 1st century AD roman aqueduct. Protected by UNESCO and World Heritage Listed, it is an amazingly w…Not LP reviewed
from USD$75.24
