Things to Do in Avignon: 15 Best Experiences (2026)
Avignon is the city of the popes: for most of the 14th century it was the centre of the Catholic world, and the vast Gothic palace they built still towers over a walled old town full of squares, cafés and narrow lanes. It is also the best base in Provence without a car, with fast trains to Paris, Arles, Aix and Marseille. This guide covers the best things to do in Avignon, from the Palais des Papes and the famous bridge to the market, the festival and the best day trips. For the rest of the region, see our Provence travel guide.
Short on time? The top 5 things to do in Avignon
1. Tour the Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace in the world
2. Walk out onto the Pont Saint-Bénézet, the bridge from the song
3. Climb to the Rocher des Doms garden for the view over the Rhône
4. Graze your way through the Les Halles covered market
5. Take a day trip to the Pont du Gard or Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Things to do in Avignon: the city of the popes
1. Tour the Palais des Papes
Built in just twenty years from 1335, the Palace of the Popes is the largest Gothic building of the Middle Ages and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside you walk through vast halls, the popes' private rooms and chapels with 14th-century frescoes, and up to the roof terraces for views across the city. Allow two hours, use the tablet guide included with your ticket, and buy the combined ticket with the bridge on the official website to save money.
2. Walk out onto the Pont Saint-Bénézet
The "Pont d'Avignon" from the children's song once crossed the Rhône with 22 arches. Floods destroyed most of it, and only four arches remain, ending in the middle of the river. Walk out to the small chapel on the bridge, then look back at the walls and the palace. For the classic photo of the whole bridge, cross to the Île de la Barthelasse (see below).
3. Climb to the Rocher des Doms
Behind the palace, this free hilltop garden has a pond, shady paths and the best view in Avignon: the bridge, the Rhône, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and, on clear days, Mont Ventoux. Come at sunset. On the way up, look into the Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms, topped by a gilded statue of the Virgin.
4. Walk along the city walls
Avignon is still surrounded by 4.3 km of medieval ramparts, one of the best-preserved circuits in France. You can only walk on a short section near the bridge, but a loop around the outside of the walls is a pleasant way to see the scale of the old town, especially along the river.
The old town: squares, markets and museums
5. Have a drink on the Place de l'Horloge
The main square of Avignon is lined with café terraces, the town hall, the opera house and an old carousel. It is busy and a little touristy, so for dinner try the smaller squares nearby such as the Place Crillon or the Place des Corps Saints, where locals eat under the plane trees.
6. Wander the Rue des Teinturiers
This cobbled street along a canal was once home to the cloth dyers, and four old water wheels still turn in the water. It is the most atmospheric street in Avignon, with plane trees, small bars and restaurants, and it is especially lively during the festival.
7. Graze through the Les Halles market
The covered market on Place Pie is the place to taste Provence: olives, goat's cheese, fresh fish and local wine. Look up at the living wall of plants on the facade. It is open every morning except Monday, and on some Saturday mornings local chefs give cooking demonstrations.
8. Visit the Petit Palais and the Collection Lambert
The Musée du Petit Palais, next to the Palais des Papes, holds a superb collection of Italian paintings from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. For something modern, the Collection Lambert shows contemporary art in two elegant mansions. Avignon's municipal museums, including the Petit Palais, are free for their permanent collections.
Across the Rhône from Avignon
9. Take the free boat to the Île de la Barthelasse
A small free shuttle boat crosses the Rhône from near the bridge to the Barthelasse, one of the largest river islands in Europe. From the riverbank you get the best view of the Pont Saint-Bénézet with the palace behind it. The boat runs from spring to autumn; out of season, walk across the Pont Daladier.
10. Explore Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
Just across the river, this quiet town was where the cardinals built their summer residences. Climb the Fort Saint-André and the Tour Philippe-le-Bel for views back over Avignon, and visit the Chartreuse, a huge former monastery. It is about 10 minutes by bus or 30 minutes on foot.
The Festival d'Avignon
11. See a show at the Festival d'Avignon
Every July, Avignon becomes one of the world's biggest theatre festivals (official programme). The official festival (the "In") stages shows in the Palais des Papes courtyard and other venues, while the "Off" fills more than a hundred small theatres with over a thousand shows. The atmosphere is fantastic, but hotels sell out months ahead and prices rise, so book early or stay outside the walls.
Staying in Avignon? Hotels inside the walls fill up fast in summer and sell out for the July festival. Compare hotels and flights for your dates.
Day trips from Avignon
12. Visit the Pont du Gard
This three-tier Roman aqueduct, almost 50 metres high, is one of the most impressive ancient monuments in France. It is about 30 minutes by car or an hour by bus. Arrive early, walk across the lower level, and in summer bring a swimsuit: there are beaches on the river below.
13. Taste wine at Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The popes' summer castle gave its name to one of the most famous wines of the Rhône. The village is about 25 minutes from Avignon, with dozens of tasting rooms, vineyards covered in large round stones and the ruined castle on the hill. Book a wine tour if you want to taste without driving.
14. Explore L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and the Luberon
L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, about 30 minutes away, is a town of canals and water wheels with a famous Sunday antiques market. Continue to the hilltop villages of the Luberon such as Gordes and Roussillon, and in late June and July to the lavender fields. Without a car, book a day tour from Avignon.
15. Go to Arles or Aix-en-Provence
Arles, with its Roman arena and Van Gogh sites, is about 20 minutes by train. Aix-en-Provence is about an hour by car, with the Cours Mirabeau, the markets and Cézanne's studio. To link everything into one trip, follow our South of France itinerary.
Where to stay in Avignon
Stay inside the walls so you can walk everywhere: around the Place de l'Horloge and the Palais des Papes for first-timers, or near the Rue des Teinturiers for a quieter, local feel. With a car, choose a hotel just outside the walls with parking. For the festival, book months ahead. Compare options on our France hotels page.
Getting to and around Avignon
TGV trains from Paris take about 2h40 to Avignon TGV station, 4 km south of the centre; a shuttle train runs to Avignon Centre station in about 5 minutes. Regional trains arrive directly at Avignon Centre, just outside the walls. Marseille Provence Airport is about an hour away. The old town is compact and best explored on foot, which makes most things to do in Avignon easy without a car. If you drive, use the free Parking de l'Île Piot with its shuttle bus rather than driving into the walls.
When to visit Avignon
April to June and September to October are the best months: warm, sunny and calmer. July is festival month, exciting but crowded and expensive. August is hot and busy. Winter is quiet and many restaurants close, but the main sights stay open and you will have the palace almost to yourself. Watch out for the mistral, a strong cold wind that blows down the Rhône valley.
Things to do in Avignon: FAQ
How many days do you need in Avignon?
One full day covers the Palais des Papes, the bridge, the Rocher des Doms and the old town. Two or three days let you add day trips to the Pont du Gard, Châteauneuf-du-Pape or the Luberon.
Is Avignon worth visiting?
Yes. The Palais des Papes is one of the great sights of Europe, the old town is lively and walkable, and Avignon is the best base for exploring Provence by train.
Can you visit Avignon without a car?
Yes. The old town is walkable, and trains link Avignon with Arles, Marseille, Aix and Nice. For the Luberon and the lavender fields, book a day tour.
What is the best area to stay in Avignon?
Inside the city walls, near the Place de l'Horloge or the Rue des Teinturiers, so you can walk to every sight.
Plan your trip to Avignon
Avignon is easy to reach by TGV from Paris or by flying into Marseille. Compare flights and hotels for your dates, and book early for July.
More for your trip: our Provence travel guide, things to do in Aix-en-Provence and our South of France itinerary.
Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons): Palais des Papes, Pont Saint-Bénézet, Rocher des Doms and Place de l'Horloge by Txllxt TxllxT (CC BY-SA 4.0); Pont du Gard by Krzysztof Golik (CC BY-SA 4.0); Châteauneuf-du-Pape by BlueBreezeWiki (CC BY-SA 3.0).
