last edited Apr 15, 2020
What to See in Avignon
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Location Map of Avignon
Avignon
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Overview
UNESCO World Heritage Site
The city of Avignon has one site inscribed on the UNESCO list.
Avignon Historic Centre (1995)
This is the heart of the city, featuring the ramparts with their 39 towers, the Palace of the Popes and the episcopal complex, the narrow streets lined with old medieval houses, and the "famous" Pont d'Avignon.
This is the heart of the city, featuring the ramparts with their 39 towers, the Palace of the Popes and the episcopal complex, the narrow streets lined with old medieval houses, and the "famous" Pont d'Avignon.
Sites, Monuments, and Architectural Ensembles
Saint-Ruf Abbey
This is a former Romanesque abbey, partly destroyed, whose remains are classified as a historic monument.
This is a former Romanesque abbey, partly destroyed, whose remains are classified as a historic monument.
Notre-Dame des Doms Cathedral
This Romanesque building was constructed in the 12th century on a rocky outcrop (the Rocher des Doms) overlooking the Rhône River to the north of the city.
This Romanesque building was constructed in the 12th century on a rocky outcrop (the Rocher des Doms) overlooking the Rhône River to the north of the city.
Avignon Historic Centre
This is the heart of the city, featuring the ramparts with their 39 towers, the Palace of the Popes and the episcopal complex, the narrow streets lined with old medieval houses, and the "famous" Pont d'Avignon.
This is the heart of the city, featuring the ramparts with their 39 towers, the Palace of the Popes and the episcopal complex, the narrow streets lined with old medieval houses, and the "famous" Pont d'Avignon.
Palace of the Popes
This is the largest Gothic construction of the Middle Ages. Both a fortress and a palace, the papal residence served as the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the building is now one of the most visited in France and hosts the famous Avignon Festival every year.
This is the largest Gothic construction of the Middle Ages. Both a fortress and a palace, the papal residence served as the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the building is now one of the most visited in France and hosts the famous Avignon Festival every year.
Avignon Bridge
Or more officially the Saint-Bénézet Bridge. It's a remnant of a bridge over the Rhône where you can stroll, consisting of four arches (out of the original 22). Its construction dates back to the 12th century. It became famous thanks to the popular song "Sur le pont d'Avignon".
Or more officially the Saint-Bénézet Bridge. It's a remnant of a bridge over the Rhône where you can stroll, consisting of four arches (out of the original 22). Its construction dates back to the 12th century. It became famous thanks to the popular song "Sur le pont d'Avignon".
Museums
Lambert Collection
The venue is dedicated to contemporary art, featuring works by artists such as Basquiat, Louise Bourgeois, Boltanski, and others.
The venue is dedicated to contemporary art, featuring works by artists such as Basquiat, Louise Bourgeois, Boltanski, and others.
Jean Vilar House
This place is dedicated to the founder of the Avignon Festival. It houses his archives and creations related to both the Festival and the Théâtre national de Chaillot, which he directed from 1951 to 1963.
This place is dedicated to the founder of the Avignon Festival. It houses his archives and creations related to both the Festival and the Théâtre national de Chaillot, which he directed from 1951 to 1963.
Angladon Museum
A private collection bequeathed to the city, featuring works by Cézanne, Manet, Picasso, Modigliani, Foujita, Van Gogh, and more.
A private collection bequeathed to the city, featuring works by Cézanne, Manet, Picasso, Modigliani, Foujita, Van Gogh, and more.
Calvet Museum
Avignon's main art museum, featuring collections of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and art objects from various periods and origins. Through its eponymous foundation, the museum includes several annexes such as the Lapidary Museum (local archaeology) and the Requien Museum (natural history).
Avignon's main art museum, featuring collections of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and art objects from various periods and origins. Through its eponymous foundation, the museum includes several annexes such as the Lapidary Museum (local archaeology) and the Requien Museum (natural history).
Musée du Petit Palais
This former bishop’s palace now houses a collection of Italian paintings from the 13th to 16th centuries, Romanesque and Gothic sculptures, and other works by local artists from the same period.
This former bishop’s palace now houses a collection of Italian paintings from the 13th to 16th centuries, Romanesque and Gothic sculptures, and other works by local artists from the same period.
Parks and Gardens
Rocher des Doms
What was once a defensive rocky outcrop is now a landscaped public garden (the "Jardin des Doms"). It offers a beautiful view of the city, the Rhône, the Pont d’Avignon, and even beyond toward Mont Ventoux and the Alpilles.
What was once a defensive rocky outcrop is now a landscaped public garden (the "Jardin des Doms"). It offers a beautiful view of the city, the Rhône, the Pont d’Avignon, and even beyond toward Mont Ventoux and the Alpilles.
In the Surrounding Area
Among the main points of interest (and there are many) near Avignon:
Montmajour Abbey
Located on the outskirts of Arles, this is a very beautiful 10th-century Benedictine abbey.
Located on the outskirts of Arles, this is a very beautiful 10th-century Benedictine abbey.
Arles
Thanks to its Roman and Romanesque monuments, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It also hosts many "traditional" Provençal festivals.
Thanks to its Roman and Romanesque monuments, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It also hosts many "traditional" Provençal festivals.
Les Baux-de-Provence
Listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France", this perched commune in the Alpilles draws large crowds eager to discover its historical heritage. Les Baux-de-Provence is one of the most visited spots in the PACA region.
Listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France", this perched commune in the Alpilles draws large crowds eager to discover its historical heritage. Les Baux-de-Provence is one of the most visited spots in the PACA region.
Gordes
One of the best-known (and most upscale) villages in the Luberon. It is listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France" thanks to its surroundings and rich heritage (château, abbeys, historic homes, hamlets, etc.).
One of the best-known (and most upscale) villages in the Luberon. It is listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France" thanks to its surroundings and rich heritage (château, abbeys, historic homes, hamlets, etc.).
Gorges du Gardon
This is a pretty canyon through which the Gardon River flows. The spot is popular for swimming, canoeing, and climbing.
This is a pretty canyon through which the Gardon River flows. The spot is popular for swimming, canoeing, and climbing.
L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
East of Avignon, it's a town with numerous canals along which it's pleasant to stroll. The area is also known for being home to nearly 300 antique dealers.
East of Avignon, it's a town with numerous canals along which it's pleasant to stroll. The area is also known for being home to nearly 300 antique dealers.
Old Oppède
A charming hilltop village in the Luberon, with narrow streets and old stone houses typical of the region.
A charming hilltop village in the Luberon, with narrow streets and old stone houses typical of the region.
Pont du Gard
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this massive Roman aqueduct is a must-see for tourism in the region.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this massive Roman aqueduct is a must-see for tourism in the region.
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
In the heart of the Alpilles, the town offers visitors beautiful mansions and old streets. The surrounding countryside, which inspired many artists (including Van Gogh), is also well worth discovering.
In the heart of the Alpilles, the town offers visitors beautiful mansions and old streets. The surrounding countryside, which inspired many artists (including Van Gogh), is also well worth discovering.
Further Reading
Must-see & highly recommended
Les Baux-de-Provence
★★★★ Listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France", this perched commune in the Alpilles draws large crowds eager to discover its…
Avignon Historic Centre
★★★★ This is the heart of the city, featuring the ramparts with their 39 towers, the Palace of the Popes and the episcopal complex, the narrow…
Gordes
★★★★ One of the best-known (and most upscale) villages in the Luberon. It is listed among the "Most Beautiful Villages of France" thanks to its…
Palace of the Popes
★★★★ This is the largest Gothic construction of the Middle Ages. Both a fortress and a palace, the papal residence served as the seat of Western…
Pont du Gard
★★★★ A UNESCO World Heritage site, this massive Roman aqueduct is a must-see for tourism in the region.
Recommended
Arles
★★★ Thanks to its Roman and Romanesque monuments, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It also hosts many "traditional" Provençal…
Worth a look / Other
Montmajour Abbey
★★ Located on the outskirts of Arles, this is a very beautiful 10th-century Benedictine abbey.
Gorges du Gardon
★★ This is a pretty canyon through which the Gardon River flows. The spot is popular for swimming, canoeing, and climbing.
L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
★★ East of Avignon, it's a town with numerous canals along which it's pleasant to stroll. The area is also known for being home to nearly 300…
Calvet Museum
★★ Avignon's main art museum, featuring collections of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and art objects from various periods and origins…
Petit Palais Museum (Avignon)
★★ This former bishop’s palace now houses a collection of Italian paintings from the 13th to 16th centuries, Romanesque and Gothic…
Old Oppède
★★ A charming hilltop village in the Luberon, with narrow streets and old stone houses typical of the region.
Avignon Bridge
★★ Or more officially the Saint-Bénézet Bridge. It's a remnant of a bridge over the Rhône where you can stroll, consisting of four arches (out…
Rocher des Doms
★★ What was once a defensive rocky outcrop is now a landscaped public garden (the "Jardin des Doms"). It offers a beautiful view of the city…
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
★★ In the heart of the Alpilles, the town offers visitors beautiful mansions and old streets. The surrounding countryside, which inspired many…
Saint-Ruf Abbey
★ This is a former Romanesque abbey, partly destroyed, whose remains are classified as a historic monument.
Notre-Dame des Doms Cathedral
★ This Romanesque building was constructed in the 12th century on a rocky outcrop (the Rocher des Doms) overlooking the Rhône River to the…
Lambert Collection
★ The venue is dedicated to contemporary art, featuring works by artists such as Basquiat, Louise Bourgeois, Boltanski, and others.
Jean Vilar House
★ This place is dedicated to the founder of the Avignon Festival. It houses his archives and creations related to both the Festival and the…
Angladon Museum
★ A private collection bequeathed to the city, featuring works by Cézanne, Manet, Picasso, Modigliani, Foujita, Van Gogh, and more.