Avignon packs an extraordinary amount of history into its compact medieval center.. Avignon weather by month The entire intra-muros (walled city) is a UNESCO World Heritage site, anchored by the colossal Palais des Papes , the largest Gothic palace ever built. But beyond the palace, there’s a ruined bridge that inspired a French nursery rhyme, a hilltop garden with Rhone Valley views, museums full of Provencal art, and some of the best day-trip access in southern France. This Avignon things to do guide covers 12 essential attractions with prices, hours, and practical tips.
Things to Do in Avignon: Historic Monuments
Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes)
The Palais des Papes is the single biggest reason visitors come to Avignon.. best time to visit Avignon Built between 1335 and 1364, this fortress-palace served as the seat of the papacy when seven successive popes ruled from Avignon instead of Rome. The palace covers 15,000 square meters , the largest Gothic palace in the world , with 25 rooms open to visitors including the Grand Tinel (banquet hall), the pope’s private chambers, and the Chapelle Saint-Martial with its intact 14th-century frescoes. An HistoPad tablet (included with admission) overlays augmented-reality reconstructions showing how each room looked in the 1300s. Tickets cost €12 for adults, €10 for reduced rate; a combined ticket with the Pont Saint-Benezet is €14.50. Opens daily at 10:00, closing time varies from 17:00 in winter to 19:00 in July. Budget 90 minutes to 2 hours. Book online in advance during July to skip the ticket queue. Place du Palais, 84000 Avignon.
Pont Saint-Benezet (Pont d’Avignon)
The Pont d’Avignon is the ruined medieval bridge made famous by the children’s song “Sur le pont d’Avignon.” Originally built in the 12th century with 22 stone arches spanning 900 meters across the Rhone, only 4 arches and the Saint-Nicolas chapel survive today , floods repeatedly destroyed the rest.. Avignon events and festivals A visit takes 30 to 40 minutes and includes an audio guide (available in 11 languages) that tells the story of the bridge’s construction and the legend of the shepherd boy Saint Benezet who supposedly moved a massive stone to begin building it. The view from the end of the surviving section looks back at the Palais des Papes and the Rocher des Doms. Tickets cost €5 for the bridge alone or €14.50 combined with the palace. Open same hours as the palace. Boulevard de la Ligne, 84000 Avignon.
Rocher des Doms
The Rocher des Doms is a public park on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Rhone River, directly behind the Palais des Papes.. where to stay in Avignon It’s free to enter and open daily from 7:30 to 20:00 (later in summer). The park has a duck pond, shaded benches, a cafe, and the best panoramic view in Avignon , you can see the Pont Saint-Benezet, Villeneuve-les-Avignon across the river, Mont Ventoux on clear days, and the Alpilles in the distance. It’s a popular spot for a picnic lunch or a quiet break between sightseeing. The Romanesque Avignon Cathedral (Cathedrale Notre-Dame des Doms) sits at the entrance to the park, topped by a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary that’s visible from across the city.
Things to Do in Avignon: Museums and Art
Musee du Petit Palais
Housed in a former cardinal’s palace built in the 14th century, the Musee du Petit Palais holds one of the finest collections of Italian Renaissance paintings in France outside the Louvre.. Avignon travel tips The gallery focuses on works from the 13th to 16th centuries, with standout pieces by Botticelli, Carpaccio, and the Sienese school. The building itself is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture with a shady courtyard. Admission is free for the permanent collection. Open Wednesday to Monday 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:00; closed Tuesday. Allow 60 to 90 minutes. Place du Palais, 84000 Avignon.
Musee Calvet
The Musee Calvet is Avignon’s primary fine arts museum, set in an 18th-century mansion.. Avignon neighborhoods guide The collection spans archaeology, Egyptian antiquities, and European paintings from the 16th to 20th centuries, including works by David, Corot, and Sisley. The building’s interior retains its period rooms, ornate ceilings, and a formal garden. Free admission. Open Wednesday to Monday 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:00; closed Tuesday. 65 rue Joseph Vernet, 84000 Avignon.
Collection Lambert
Avignon’s contemporary art museum occupies two adjoining 18th-century mansions and features rotating exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.. Avignon travel guide The permanent collection includes works by Cy Twombly, Anselm Kiefer, and Sol LeWitt. The building itself is worth seeing , a striking blend of historic architecture and minimalist gallery spaces. Admission is €10 for adults, €8 reduced. Open Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 to 18:00 (until 19:00 in July-August). 5 rue Violette, 84000 Avignon.
Things to Do in Avignon: Outdoor and Markets
Les Halles d’Avignon
The covered market Les Halles is a sensory overload in the best way , 40 vendors selling Provencal produce, cheeses, charcuterie, olives, breads, and wine under a living green wall (mur vegetal) facade. Open Tuesday to Sunday 6:00 to 14:00, with a smaller Saturday evening session. On Saturday mornings, local chefs give cooking demonstrations at 11:00. Pick up supplies for a picnic on the Rocher des Doms or stop at the wine bar inside for a glass of Cotes du Rhone and a plate of cheese. Place Pie, 84000 Avignon.
Place de l’Horloge
The Place de l’Horloge is Avignon’s main square, lined with plane trees, cafes, and the 19th-century Hotel de Ville (town hall) with its clock tower. It’s the natural starting point for any walk through the city center and a reliable spot for a cafe creme and people-watching. The carousel in the center dates from the early 1900s. In December the square hosts the Avignon Christmas Market. Free to wander; cafe prices are tourist-tier (€4 to €5 for an espresso, €7 to €9 for a glass of wine).
Ile de la Barthelasse
The Ile de la Barthelasse is a large river island in the Rhone between Avignon and Villeneuve-les-Avignon. It’s accessible by the free pedestrian/bike ferry (Le Bac) from the base of the Pont Saint-Benezet, running every 10 to 20 minutes from April through October. The island has flat cycling and walking paths, a few restaurants and farm stays, and the best ground-level view of the Avignon skyline , the Palais des Papes and cathedral tower framed by the river. Rent bikes from Provence Bike on rue des Lices (€15/half day). The island is also where you’ll find the Avignon city beach (gravel riverbank) for swimming in summer.
Things to Do in Avignon: Day Trips
Pont du Gard
The Pont du Gard is a three-tiered Roman aqueduct bridge built in the 1st century AD, 25 km (15.5 miles) west of Avignon. It’s the highest of all Roman aqueduct bridges and one of the best-preserved in the world , a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985. The site includes a museum, cafes, and swimming in the Gardon River below the bridge (summer). Entry is €9.50 for adults (includes museum); parking is an additional €9 per vehicle. Bus line B21 from Avignon’s PEM bus station takes about 40 minutes (€1.50 each way). Half-day excursions from Avignon run €50 to €70 per person. Open daily year-round; hours vary by season.
Luberon Villages
The hilltop villages of the Luberon are the quintessential Provencal day trip from Avignon. Gordes, Roussillon (with its ochre cliffs), Menerbes, Lourmarin, and Bonnieux are all reachable within 45 to 60 minutes by car. Each village has a weekly market (Gordes on Tuesday, Roussillon on Thursday, Lourmarin on Friday), and the route between them passes lavender fields that peak in late June to mid-July. Organized minivan tours from Avignon run €60 to €90 per person for a full day covering 4 to 5 villages. Public buses connect Avignon to some villages but are infrequent, making a tour or rental car the practical option.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
The village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 15 km (9 miles) north of Avignon, is the namesake of one of France’s most famous wine appellations. The ruined castle at the top of the village offers a panoramic view over the Rhone Valley vineyards. Most wine estates (domaines) offer free tastings , notable ones include Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe, Chateau de Beaucastel, and Domaine de la Janasse. The village is reachable by bus from Avignon (line 72, 30 minutes, €1.50) or by taxi (€30 each way). Wine tours from Avignon typically cost €70 to €100 per person for a half-day visit to 3 domaines.
Arles and the Camargue
Arles, 35 km (22 miles) south of Avignon, is a compact Roman city with an amphitheater (Les Arenes) still used for bullfighting and concerts, a well-preserved Roman theater, and the Fondation Vincent van Gogh. Trains from Avignon Centre take 17 minutes (€8 one way). From Arles you can continue into the Camargue , a vast wetland delta with wild white horses, pink flamingos, and the walled town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. A combined day trip covering both Arles and the Camargue is a full but rewarding day.
