Avignon (to be pronounced ah-veen-yohn)

 

How to get to Avignon in Provence?

Avignon is the beating heart of Provence - and is very easy to access.

  • From Paris downtown, there are many direct TGV trains a day that will take you to Avignon in about 2hrs40.
  • From Paris CDG Airport, there are direct TGV trains to Avignon (3hrs10).
  • If you plan to remain in the South of France, we warmly recommend to fly into Marseille or Nice International Airports. This way you will save time and tiredness traveling via Paris. 

Avignon's history is fascinating and still alive

  • Known for its medieval architecture and monuments such as the Palace of the Popes, Avignon is built on the side of the Rhône and the Durance Rivers. Avignon was the residence of the Popes for over a century until 1403. The presence of the Papal seat contributed to the wealth of Avignon and its regional and European importance at that time.
Palais des Papes in Avignon, Provence
The Popes' Palace
©

Kirk F CC0

  • The impressive medieval ramparts envelop a city which has become today an energetic and urban place up-to-date, appreciated for the nice weather and it flourishing culture. We will advise you to tour the city by foot.
  • In July, during the famous theater festival called le festival d’Avignon, the city becomes overcrowded with artists and spectators transforming the entire city into a stage.
  • The Pont d’Avignon (Avignon Bridge also called St Bénézet Bridge) became famous thanks to a nursery-rhyme, it was used to connect the Papal seat to the rest of France. At that time, it was the only bridge crossing the Rhône River.

Pont d'Avignon

Pont d'Avignon ©JL. Zimmermman

 

Where to stay in Avignon ?

For those who love being in the heart of the city, we selected few B&B accommodations in the very center of Avignon, for the others who prefer tranquility and space, we warmly recommend Bed & Breakfast lodging in the countryside within a 5 minute drive, in charming houses surrounded by vast gardens or parks with swimming pools and spacious rooms.

b&b in avignon

If you want to avoid the hordes of tourists, we recommend the visit of Avignon’s twin town, with an impressive heritage, an excellent restaurant and an unobstructed view of the medieval city of Avignon and the Palace of the Popes. 

 

Avignon as a base camp to explore Provence

Avignon is the perfect base camp to tour Provence region. If you only have few days to spend in Provence, you should definitly plan to stay in Avignon. From the City of the Popes, the Alpilles, Mont Ventoux, Chateauneuf-du-Pape vineyards or the Camargue areas are less than 1 hour drive. 

For those who will spend more time in Provence, then we recommend to split their journey between the wilder North of Provence (Mont Ventoux, Dentelles de Montmirail, Orange Roman ruins) and the bustling Southern Provence (Aix-en- Provence, The Alpilles, Marseille and Cassis creeks).

 

We can craft your Provence itinerary based on your wishes, you just need to let us know the type of trip you are looking for

 

Sample Itineraries including Avignon

Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 7570
Region
in Provence, Basque Country, Dordogne, Loire Valley & Paris

This itinerary will take you from South to North, following some of the most typical and beautiful scenic roads in France. We recommend flying into Marseille airport.

Heritage & History
Towns & Villages
Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 6980
Region
in Burgundy, Dordogne, Bordeaux, Loire Valley & Normandy

This itinerary is for independent travelers who may already know the southern coast of France and who are looking for discovering the “inside” of the country. Five regions that are totally different from each other, showing you the diversity of France.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Gourmet Food

Our Travelers’ Reviews

Carol & Bruce from the US
A perfect 2 weeks in Provence in the spring! My husband and I were delighted with the itinerary ‘FJFY’ put together for our 2-week self-drive road trip in Provence. During the planning stages Emilie and Laura asked insightful questions about our lifestyle and desires relating to travel. Communications were outstanding throughout the planning stage …
Jodi
My husband and I have both been to Europe multiple times in our school/college days but not since we've been married- so over 19 years! We finally got it together to plan a return trip together. Since it had been so long we weren't confident in planning it on our own but didn't want to be hearded around like cattle. Anyway, we found Emilie and she …
Kim, Eric & Family
We had a great vacation thanks to you. Your arrangements and attention to detail were unsurpassed. We got to enjoy such a wonderful experience of France because of your little details and suggestions; things we did and saw we would never had been aware of or done if we traveled on our own itinerary or had a canned tour. Thanks so much for all of …

Our Travelers’ Photos

Fred
from Canada
Truffle hunting in Burgundy with Thierry
Elizabeth
From Canada
At her B&B in Normandy
Kathy, Keith, Rose & Bryan
from the US
on Utah Beach - WWII landing site, Normandy
Lorelea, Teresa, Diane & Chris
From the US
With their hostess in Lille, Northern France
Lis, Mervyn & Stephen
from Australia
On the Riviera
Nancy & Paul
from Canada
On the French Riviera
Cynthia & Roger
from the US
Wine Tasting in the Loire Valley
Lindsay & David
From the US
Enjoying a romantic vacation in France
Bridget & Tyler
from the US
In Monet's house kitchen in Giverny
Colleen & Russell
from New Zealand
Having Breakfast at the B&B
Frederick
from Canada
Enjoying some cheese
Sandra & Tracey
From the US
Girls trip to France !