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$ 7880
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$ 7560
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

Robert
Everything you need and things you didn’t know you needed. Emilie is very kind, a good soul. And don’t you want the people who handle your holidays to radiate happiness? A happy itinerary = a lovely journey!
Patty & Nicole
My daughter and I went to Paris and Provence area for her college graduation. France for You provided a tremendous amount of information, maps, advice etc to book us the perfect trip. The B&Bs were charming and very convenient to beautiful sites and shopping. They are the experts on Traveling through France!! You will not be disappointed if you use …
George from the US
The best French experience Wonderful self-drive trip through France. The FJFY team selected wonderful lodging, arranged for all the activities that we were interested in, and made a complex trip very easy. The detailed guide book and app helped us chose our daily activities. The integration of the guide with gps navigation is brilliant, and made …

Our Travelers’ Photos

Fiona
From the UK
At a restaurant in Le Mans
Chee Keong & Zack
From Malaysia
On Pegasus Bridge in Normandy for the D-Day celebrations
Cynthia & Roger
from the US
in Monet's House and Gardens in Giverny
Steffi & Jeff
in Chenonceau castle....romantic !
Beverley & John
from Canada
In front of the Louvre pyramid in Paris
The Loo Family
From Malaysia
At the breakfast table in the Loire Valley
Karla, Lee, Irm, Joel, Brenda & Eugene
from the US
At a restaurant
Beth, Moira & Ron from USA
Enjoying a Wine Tasting in Burgundy
Sharon & Bob
from Canada
Meeting with us in the Loire Valley (with Guillaume, Jeanne and Pauline)
Ann & Jim
From the US
In Amboise castle by the Loire river
Mona & Vernon
from the US
in Cassis creeks of the Mediterranean Sea
Our guide with Jean's team
In the quicksands in Mont Saint Michel bay