Welcome to Avignon !

Avignon looks more like a lively village in reality. Behind the beautifully preserved ramparts are hidden streets full of history, alive to the sound of music and adorned with art. It is a city that will seduce you and make you want to come back.

SOMMAIRE

▪ The Avignon bridge

▪ The Palace of the Popes

▪ The Rock of Doms

▪ The Calvet Museum

▪ La Place Pie

▪ The chapel of Saint-Martial

▪ Fort Saint-André

▪ The historic city centre of Avignon

▪ Rue des Teinturiers

▪ The Festival of Avignon

THE AVIGNON BRIDGE

The Pont Saint Bézenet, also known as the Pont d’Avignon, is one of the most famous monuments in the world thanks to its song. On the other hand, its history has not known the same notoriety.

What happened ? As a result of the war and floods in the Rhone, the bridge was damaged several times. Despite many attempts, reconstruction work ceased in the 17th century. The site is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

THE PALACE OF THE POPES

With more than 600,000 visitors a year, the Palace of the Popes is one of the 10 most visited monuments in France. The monument is the most important Gothic palace in the West.

If you come to visit Avignon, don’t miss the unmissable Palace of the Popes ! Serving at the time as both a fortress and a residence for the popes, it is here that many cultural events take place

THE ROCK OF DOMS

In a flat city, the raised gardens of the Rocher des Doms offer a fresh perspective and a unique point of view. Rising on the banks of the Rhone, a stone staircase leads to the path to this enchanting garden.

Sit down and sip rosé on the terrace of the café, relax on a bench next to the pond or walk to one of the viewpoints for a breathtaking view of the Saint-Bénézet bridge and towards Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.

THE CALVET MUSEUM

The Calvet Museum is the main museum of the city. It is located in an 18th century mansion. It brings together numerous collections of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and decorative arts. The museum’s permanent collections offer a selection of treasures from French painting, from the Renaissance to the 20th century.

LA PLACE PIE

The Place Pie is the most dynamic place of the city, in the morning the market of Les Halles opens its stalls, relayed from the afternoon by walkers, young people and students who invest the terraces of the cafes, while in the evening the atmosphere is more festive.

THE CHAPEL OF SAINT-MARTIAL

Closed to the public for 10 years, La Chapelle Saint-Martial has regained its lustre thanks to almost 2 years of restoration. Today, it is then possible to visit this masterpiece of the Middle Ages.

Come and discover the frescoes of Matteo Giovannetti, official painter of Pope Clement VI and major artist of the 14th century. Guided tours of about an hour are possible if you want to know all the secrets and treasures of the place.

FORT SAINT-ANDRÉ

Fort Saint-André is located in Villeneuve-lez-Avignon, 15 minutes from the Palace of the Popes. This former sentry will offer you a panorama from Mont Ventoux to the Alpilles.

Plus its architectural beauty, this place is full of history and secrets!

THE HISTORIC CITY CENTRE OF AVIGNON

Surrounded by ramparts, the inner city is a must for visiting Avignon. She discovers herself on foot, venturing into the small alleys. You will stroll on small hidden squares where it is good to have lunch on the terraces of restaurants and cafes. Enjoy a shopping session in the shops of the Rue de la République.

RUE DES TEINTURIERS

Rue des Teinturiers deserves the title of the prettiest street in Avignon. In 1817, there were 23 mills along the rue des Teinturiers. Most of them were destroyed during the French Revolution, but you can still see four water wheels in action as you walk along the canal.

The street extends from Rue des Lices to Rue Guillaume-Puy, and its old stone houses are now used for cafes, restaurants and shops, shaded by a row of tall plane trees.

THE FESTIVAL OF AVIGNON

Every July, the streets of Avignon are animated by the images and sounds of dance, music and theatre shows throughout the city. The Festival Officiel d’Avignon is the oldest festival in France and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world.