Things to do in Avignon
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Palais des Papes
The immense Palais des Papes is the world’s largest Gothic palace and is a UNESCO world-heritage site. Built when Pope Clement V abandoned Rome in 1309 to settle in Avignon, it was the seat of papal power for 70-odd years. The immense scale, cavernous stone halls and vast courtyards testify to the popes' wealth; the 3m-thick walls, portcullises and watchtowers emphasise their insecurity.
Today, it takes imagination to picture the former luxury of these vast, bare rooms, but PDA-style audio-video guides introduced in 2012 show 2- and 3D imagery of the once sumptuous furnishings. Even without, you can see the splendour in the 14th-century chapel frescoes, painted by…
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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 shortcuts. The market-driven menu changes daily, but specialities include scallops and simple roast chicken with pan gravy. The narrow stone-walled dining room is a mishmash of textures – contemporary resin chairs to antique crystal goblets – befitting the chef’s eclecticism. Reserve ahead.
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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…
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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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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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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 – our favorite for budget dining – with nothing fancy, just straightforward bistro fare, stews, roasts and other reliably good, home-style French dishes. Cash only.
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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.
reviewed
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Ginette et Marcel
Tartines (open-faced sandwiches), tarts, salad and soup comprise the menu at this homey cafe with farm tables, vintage floors and big windows overlooking a happening square.
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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 Bénezet had three saintly visions urging him to build a bridge across the Rhône. Completed in 1185, the bridge 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.
Don't be surprised if you spot someone attempting a dance. In France, Pont St-Béezet is known as the Pont d’Avignon, from the chirpy nursery rhyme: 'Sur le pont d’Avignon / L’on y danse, l'on y danse...' (On Avignon Bridge, all are dancing...).
If you don't want to pay to visit the bridge, you can see it free from the Rocher des Doms…
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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 Virgin Mary (weighing 4.5 tons) stands on the dome of Romanesque Cathédrale Notre Dame des Doms (built 1671–72), her outstretched arms protecting the city. Next to the cathedral, hilltop Rocher des Doms gardens provide knockout views of the Rhône, Mont Ventoux and Les Alpilles; there's also a playground. Opposite the Palais des Papes, the much-photographed building dripping with 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 specialties like cassoulet and foie gras, but skews contemporary-Mediterranean in gastronomic dishes such as butternut-squash ravioli with escargots. Surroundings are refreshingly unfussy – vaguely French-colonial, with rattan and carved wood – and service is impeccable.
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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$160.89 -
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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 in One Day Small Group Day Trip from Avignon
10 hrs (Departs Avignon, France)
by Viator
lt;pgt;lt;!-- --gt;lt;/pgt;Forget the hassles of hiring a car and finding your own way! Take a small group tour of Provence and its exquisite highlights:…Not LP reviewed
from USD$134.08 -
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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.
reviewed
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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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Small Group Provence and Lavender Museum Day Trip from Avignon
9 hours (Departs Avignon, France)
by Viator
Purple fields of fragrant lavender are the essence of Provence. Take this small group day trip from Avignon and you'll drive past fields of wild lavender and…Not LP reviewed
from USD$120.67 -
Roman Sites Small Group Day Trip from Avignon
5 hours 30 minutes (Departs Avignon, France)
by Viator
On this Roman Sites and Historical Places tour you will visit the villages of Nimes and Uzes as well as the famous Pont du Gard.lt;pgt;Today, your first stop is…Not LP reviewed
from USD$93.85 -
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Musée Angladon
Tiny Musée Angladon harbours impressionist treasures including Van Gogh's Railway Wagons – look closely and notice the ‘earth’ isn’t paint, but bare canvas. Also displayed are a handful of early Picasso sketches and artworks by Cézanne, Sisley, Manet and Degas; upstairs are antiques and 17th-century paintings.
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Impressions of France
12 days (Paris to Avignon)
by G Adventures
Channel your inner artist and follow in the footsteps of the Impressionists from Paris to Provence on this inspiring 12-day tour. Your spirit will soar as you…Not LP reviewed
from USD$2,999