What to See & Do
Avignon Overall Appeal ★★★★★
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Palace of The Popes | ★★★★★ | Palace + Garden + Panorama | Self | Paid |
| 02 | Town Center | ★★★★★ | Walking Around | Self | Free |
| 03 | Walking Tour | ★★★★★ | Walking Tour | Tour | Paid |
| 04 | Food Tour | ★★★★★ | Food Tour | Tour | Paid |
| 05 | Cooking Class | ★★★★★ | Cooking Class | Class | Paid |
| 06 | Doms Garden | ★★★☆☆ | Park + Panorama | Self | Free |
| 07 | Avignon Bridge | ★★★☆☆ | Bridge | Self | Free |
| 08 | River Kayak | ★★★☆☆ | Kayaking | Self | Paid |
| 09 | Avignon Market | ★★★☆☆ | Food Market | Self | Free |
| 10 | Covered Market | ★★☆☆☆ | Food Market | Self | Free |
| 11 | Avignon Cathedral | ★★☆☆☆ | Cathedral | Self | Free |
| 12 | St. Pierre Basilica | ★★☆☆☆ | Basilica | Self | Free |
| 13 | St. Symphorien Church | ★★☆☆☆ | Church | Self | Free |
| 14 | River Cruise | ★★☆☆☆ | Cruising | Tour | Paid |
| 15 | Calvet Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Art & Archeology | Self | Free |
| 16 | Lapidaire Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Antique Sculptures | Self | Free |
| 17 | Petit Palais Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Medieval Art | Self | Free |
| 18 | Lambert Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Contemporary Art | Self | Paid |
| 19 | Angladon Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | House Museum | Self | Paid |
| 20 | Louis-Vouland Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | House Museum | Self | Paid |
| 21 | Palais du Roure | ★☆☆☆☆ | House Museum | Self | Free |
| 22 | Requien Museum | ★☆☆☆☆ | Museum - Nat. History | Self | Free |
| 23 | St. Didier Church | ★☆☆☆☆ | Church | Self | Free |
| 24 | St. Agricol Church | ★☆☆☆☆ | Church | Self | Free |
| 25 | Avignon Tourist Train | ★☆☆☆☆ | City Train Tour | Tour | Paid |
| 26 | Bus Tour | ★☆☆☆☆ | Hop-On Hop-Off Bus | Tour | Paid |
| 27 | Big Wheel | ★☆☆☆☆ | Ferris Wheel | Tour | Paid |
01. Palace of The Popes
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Palace + Garden + Panorama
Visit Self
Cost Paid
The Palace of the Popes is the largest Gothic-style palace in the world. This massive Gothic fortress served as the residence of the popes during the 14th century, making it a focal point of European Christendom.
Historically, the palace was the seat of the Catholic Church from 1305 to 1377 during the Avignon Papacy, when seven successive popes chose to reside here instead of in Rome. Then, two more popes resided here until 1403, but in parallel with the presence of popes in Rome, creating the period known as the Papal Schism.
After the papacy returned to Rome, the palace’s influence waned, but it remained a symbol of papal power. Over the centuries, it transitioned from residences to barracks, and finally became a cultural monument.
Notable elements of the palace include its grand halls, its chapel, various rooms, a garden, and panoramic views from the top.
02. Town Center
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Walking Around
Visit Self
Cost Free
The heart of Avignon is its vibrant town center, a blend of historical charm and lively modern culture. The narrow streets, lined with cafes, boutiques, and historic buildings, offer an immersive experience of the city’s Provençal atmosphere.
The old town is surrounded by massive medieval ramparts. However, it is not possible to walk on the ramparts.
03. Walking Tour
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Walking Tour
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
A walking tour in Avignon offers a guided exploration of the city’s rich heritage, winding through its historic streets. You’ll discover significant sites, including the Palace of the Popes and other places.
04. Food Tour
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Food Tour
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
Avignon’s food tour is a culinary journey through the flavors of Provence, where you can sample local delicacies, wines, and traditional dishes. The tour takes you to various eateries offering a true taste of the region’s gastronomic heritage. It’s a must for food lovers looking to explore the city’s culinary scene.
05. Cooking Class
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Cooking Class
Visit Class
Cost Paid
Participating in a cooking class in Avignon allows you to learn the secrets of Provençal cuisine from expert chefs. You’ll prepare traditional dishes using fresh, local ingredients, gaining hands-on experience in a friendly and interactive setting. The class often ends with a shared meal.
06. Doms Garden
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Park + Panorama
Visit Self
Cost Free
Doms Garden is a serene public park on a hill overlooking Avignon, offering visitors stunning panoramic views of the town and the Rhône River. The garden is adorned with some landscaped greenery, fountains, and statues.
07. Avignon Bridge
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Bridge
Visit Self
Cost Free
The Avignon Bridge, also known as the Saint-Bénézet Bridge, is a partially collapsed medieval bridge that has become one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Spanning the Rhône River, it is famous for its connection to the popular French nursery rhyme “Sur le Pont d’Avignon“
Although it is partially collapsed, you can still walk on it and enjoy the views it offers.
Historically, the bridge was constructed in the late 12th century as a vital link between Avignon and the town of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon across the Rhône. However, it was frequently damaged by floods, and although it was partially rebuilt several times, it was abandoned by the 17th century and left in its current ruined state.
08. River Kayak
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Kayaking
Visit Self
Cost Paid
Kayaking on the Rhône River offers a unique perspective of Avignon, combining adventure with sightseeing. Paddling along the river, you’ll get close-up views of the Avignon Bridge, the Palace of the Popes, and natural landscapes.
09. Avignon Market
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Food Market
Visit Self
Cost Free
Avignon’s main food market takes place on Saturday mornings, stretching from Place des Carmes square to Place Carnot square.
The Avignon Market is a lively place where locals and visitors can explore a wide variety of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and other regional specialties. The market is vibrant and bustling, providing an authentic taste of Provençal life.
10. Covered Market
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Food Market
Visit Self
Cost Free
The covered market in Avignon is open on weekday mornings from Tuesday to Sunday (and also on Monday mornings in July).
11. Avignon Cathedral
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Cathedral
Visit Self
Cost Free
Avignon Cathedral, or Notre-Dame des Doms Cathedral, is located next to the Palace of the Popes.
The cathedral is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. It was built in the 12th century and has undergone several restorations and expansions over the centuries.
12. St. Pierre Basilica
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Basilica
Visit Self
Cost Free
St. Pierre Basilica is a Gothic-style church dating from the 14th century, with a richly decorated facade.
13. St. Symphorien Church
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Church
Visit Self
Cost Free
St. Symphorien Church is a Gothic-style church built in the 13th and 14th centuries, characterized by a relatively simple facade.
14. River Cruise
Appeal ★★☆☆☆☆
Type Cruising
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
A river cruise on the Rhône offers a relaxed way to see Avignon from the water, with views of the city’s iconic landmarks like the Palace of the Popes and the Avignon Bridge. The cruises vary in length and can include meals or guided commentary.
15. Calvet Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Art & Archeology Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
Located in an 18th-century historic building, the museum displays European paintings and a collection of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artifacts.
16. Lapidaire Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Antique Sculptures Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
The museum is housed in a former chapel. It showcases a portion of the archaeological collections from the Calvet Museum (see above), including Greek and Roman pieces, many of which are objects from everyday life.
17. Petit Palais Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Medieval Art Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
The museum displays sculptures and paintings from the medieval period and the Renaissance originating from the Avignon region, as well as works by Italian artists from the same eras.
18. Lambert Gallery Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Contemporary Art Museum
Visit Self
Cost Paid
The museum houses the contemporary art collection of Parisian gallerist Yvon Lambert. It features paintings, sculptures, photographs, and more, from the 1960s to the present day.
19. Angladon Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type House Museum
Visit Self
Cost Paid
The museum, located in a 18th century mansion, primarily houses works from the 19th and 20th centuries, including pieces by well-known artists such as Van Gogh, Cézanne, Degas, Manet, Daumier, Sisley, Picasso, and Modigliani…
20. Louis-Vouland Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type House Museum
Visit Self
Cost Paid
The museum, located in a 19th-century mansion, houses a collection of decorative arts from the 17th and 18th centuries, including pieces from France and China.
21. Palais du Roure
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type House Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
The museum is located in a 15th-century mansion. In addition to its furniture, it houses objects related to the art and history of Provence.
22. Requien Museum
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Natural History Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
A small natural history museum that explores the natural history of the region with zoological and botanical specimens, as well as fossils.
23. St. Didier Church
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Church
Visit Self
Cost Free
St. Didier Church dates back to the 14th century and features Gothic-style architecture, with some Renaissance art pieces.
24. St. Agricol Church
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Church
Visit Self
Cost Free
St. Agricol Church features Romanesque and Gothic styles and dates back to the 13th century, on the site of an earlier church from the 7th century.
25. Avignon Tourist Train
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type City Train Tour
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
The Avignon Tourist Train offers a convenient way to see the city’s highlights. It’s an audioguided ride that takes visitors past major landmarks, providing an overview of Avignon’s history and architecture.
26. Bus Tour
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
The Avignon Bus Tour provides a hop-on, hop-off experience, allowing visitors to explore the city at their own pace. The route covers key attractions and offers audio commentary.
27. Big Wheel
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Ferris Wheel
Visit Self
Cost Paid
The Big Wheel in Avignon offers panoramic views of the city and its surroundings, giving visitors a bird’s-eye perspective.
It’s open only during the summer.
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
On the other side of the river lies another town, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, less well-known but home to several tourist attractions.
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Things to Do in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
