Nestled on the banks of the Rhône, Avignon is one of the must-see places on a Provençal getaway.
AVIGNON: A MULTI FACETED CITY
The papal city
The Palace of the Popes, residence of the sovereign pontiffs in the 14th century, is Avignon’s flagship heritage site. Nearby, the Pont d’Avignon, famous throughout the world for its song, is also a prestigious witness to the past. Both monuments are part of a grandiose monumental ensemble classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.
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Must-see nooks and crannies
The town, surrounded by its historic ramparts, is the perfect place to take a stroll; you can explore the narrow streets, chapels and churches, medieval buildings and 18th and 19th century town houses: there is art everywhere, making the city a true open air museum.
The small squares and shady terraces are convivial places. You can stop here to have a drink, enjoy the show, chat with friends and rest after a long day of shopping…
Barthelasse island, the largest river island in Europe, offers all the joys of the countryside: walks, cycling, areas to lounge around…
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Cultural life
The museums offer an incredible variety of collections, among them there are 5 municipal museums that are free all year round!
Avignon is also famous for its theatre festival, which attracts all contemporary creators of the performing arts in summer. Alongside it, the “Off” festival, with more than 1500 shows a day, transforms the city into a huge, joyful stage in July.
Year round, the cultural scene is omnipresent: opera, permanent theatres, associations, music, dance… Major events punctuate the seasons: “Cheval passion” and “Vélo Passion” in January, the “Hivernales de la danse” in February: each month has its own festival!… Not to be forgotten are the exhibitions and the sound and light show “Vibrations at the Palais des Papes” in the summer… as well as the many contributions from the city’s creators, designers and artists.
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The city is also a Mecca for gastronomy: chefs concoct dishes – traditional or totally revisited – based on Provençal products. Avignon is also the capital of the Côtes du Rhône!
Visiting Avignon is a discovery of how past and present combine in a remarkable way and to enjoy a very special way of life that will never cease to amaze you!