The City of Popes from 1309 to 1376, Avignon in the department of Vaucluse is a town steeped in history. Its historic centre is listed by UNESCO and its old town has kept some impressive reminders of its past! Protected by ramparts, it includes the emblem of the city: the Palace of the Popes (Palais des Papes). Open to visitors, this superb Gothic monument dates back to the 14th century and consists of the old palace of Benedict XII, built between 1334 and 1342, and the new palace of Clement VI, built between 1342 and 1352. The Palace's vast square is also surrounded by other prestigious buildings like the Small Palace (Petit Palais), which is in fact the former residence of the archbishops. Built between the 14th and 18th centuries, this elegant building of almost 3,000 m² now houses a museum that exhibits Italian paintings from the 13th to 16th centuries, such as Botticelli's Madonna and Child, as well as Romanesque and Gothic sculptures. You can also admire the former Mint (Hôtel des Monnaies), with its beautiful 17th-century Baroque façade featuring eagles and dragons. Then visit Avignon Cathedral (Notre-Dame-des-Doms), built in the 12th century and remodelled in the 15th and 17th centuries. An example of the Provençal Romanesque style, it contains a magnificent Romanesque cupola, a white marble bishop's seat, and the Gothic tombs of Popes John XXII and Benedict XII. Outside, look up to see the huge, gilded statue of the Virgin Mary at the top of the bell tower.
Then wander through the medieval streets to admire the period houses, Renaissance mansions and old town squares. You are sure to find your way to Rue des Teinturiers, a picturesque pedestrian street paved with pebbles. The busy Rue de la République connects the ramparts to the plane tree-shaded Place de l'Horloge, the lively heart of the town with its many cafés and restaurants. Here you can see the Neo-Classical façade of the 19th-century town hall and its clock tower, a former 14th-century belfry with a jacquemart clock.
It's worth taking some time to admire the many buildings you will come across on your walk. These include the Basilica of St. Peter, with Renaissance door leaves on its façade, 17th-century woodwork in the choir and a 15th-century pulpit making it well worth a visit. Also be sure not to miss the night-time illuminations that transform the building into a sublime spectacle during the Hélios festival in summer. The Gothic Collegiate Church of St. Didier has a beautiful 15th-century carved altarpiece depicting Christ Carrying the Cross. On Place des Carmes, the last vestige of an old convent is the Augustins bell tower, with a wrought iron campanile on top. In the church, the painted wooden statues date from the 16th century.
Don't forget to take a walk to the top of the Doms Rock, where the town's origins lie. The lovely garden there is ideal for a rest in the shade and offers superb views of the Alpilles, the Rhône and the unmissable Pont d'Avignon bridge. Made famous by the well-known folk song and also known as the Pont Saint-Bénézet, this medieval bridge used to connect the town with Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, 900 metres away. Although part of it was destroyed by the Rhône's repeated floods, it still has four arches and two superimposed chapels left. An exhibition space called "Le pont retrouvé" and touch screen tablets will help you discover a side of this iconic monument that you've never seen before!
Art-lovers have a number of museums to choose from: the Calvet Museum, which exhibits collections of fine and decorative arts and ethnography; the Lapidary Museum, which focuses on archaeology; the Louis Vouland Museum, with its prestigious collection of furniture and objects from the 17th and 18th centuries, and works by Provençal artists from the 19th and 20th centuries; and the Angladon Museum, which houses a remarkable collection of modern art.
The town of Avignon is a former city of the popes. It is located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, in the department of Vaucluse, on the border of Gard and Bouches-du-Rhône. It takes place on the left bank of the Rhone, near Nimes, Orange, Montpellier or even Arles.
The city of Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for having welcomed the popes between 1309 and 1423, in parallel with the Roman popes. It changes its face in the course of the eighteenth century with more modern developments and the disappearance of many narrow medieval narrow streets. Today, Avignon is best known for its architectural heritage, as well as for its cultural influence throughout the world.
The town is one of the few French cities to have preserved its ramparts and its historic center which attract many tourists every year. Gastronomy, especially wine production, is also the success of Avignon.
The Palace of the Popes, a monument of the 14th century, is surely the most famous tourist site of the whole city of Avignon. Classified in UNESCO, it is one of the largest Gothic constructions of all the Middle Ages. Formerly a pontifical residence, this fortress was the seat of Western Christianity during much of the 14th century. The Palace of the Popes consists of the intertwining of two distinct buildings, the old palace of Benedict XII which takes place on the rock of the Doms, and the new palace of Clement VI. It is now one of the ten most visited French monuments each year, and hosts important cultural events each year, as is the festival "in" of Avignon. During the visit, you can enjoy the twelve towers, as well as many rooms such as the hall of the conclave which used to serve as an apartment for the guests or the room of the Great Audience. The deer room is at present one of the most famous pieces of the Palais des Papes, notably because of its decoration. Visitors can discover a beautiful painted hunt on the western wall. The architectural ensemble is also composed of several chapels, as well as different courtyards like the courtyard of 1800 square meters, or the courtyard of the cloister.
Another famous tourist site in Avignon, the famous Saint-Bénezet bridge. Highlighted by a famous song, the building dates back to the 12th century and has also been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today it has only four arches that have withstood the vagaries of time.
The historic center of Avignon is still surrounded by ramparts dating from the fourteenth century. Four kilometers long, they are equipped with seven doors open on the city and 39 towers.
Classified as Historic Monuments, the Salt Grenier is an ancient salt storage place built in the mid-14th century. Close to the ramparts, the current monument dates back to the 18th century and now serves as a venue for exhibitions and shows during the "off" festival of Avignon.
Walking through the old center of Avignon, you can also admire many private mansions. There are no less than 130 built between the 15th and 18th centuries. One can thus note that of Brancas which welcomed Minister Necker during his disgrace, that of the Laurens, that of Brantes, or the Hotel de Sade which once belonged to the family of the same name.
The Hotel de Villeneuve-Martignan, built in the 16th century, is now used as a place of reception for the Calvet museum, classified as Musee de France. There are collections on archeology, fine arts, and decorative arts such as tapestry, ironwork and porcelain.
Other museums also take place in Avignon as the museum of the Petit Palais with its collections of primitive Italian paintings, the Requien museum which deals with natural history, the lapidary museum and its antiques, or the Jean-Vilar house The Bibliothèque de France, and the Angladon Museum. The latter takes place in the mansion of Massilian and uncovers collections of art from the eighteenth to the twentieth century. A collection of works of contemporary art, the Lambert collection can be admired in the Caumont hotel since 2000.
The Saint-Pierre collegiate church of Avignon is a monument dating from the mid-14th century, which took its place on an ancient building of the 7th century. Mainly in Gothic style, it has been classified as a Historic Monument. Inside, several works of art are present, like the monumental altarpiece of St. Peter.
- Several weekly markets take place from Tuesday to Sunday morning. There is also a flea market on Sunday mornings, a flea market on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and a book market every first Saturday of the month in the morning.
- In January, Cheval passion sets up shop.
- In February, it's time for the Hivernales d'Avignon, a contemporary dance festival. It highlights choreographic shows, workshops, exhibitions or even projections and meetings around dance.
- The last weekend of March, the city offers the Avignon motor festival.
- The famous Avignon "in" and "off" theater festival takes place in the city every year in July. Founded in 1947 by actor Jean Vilar, it offers official shows in the main courtyard of the Palais des Papes, as well as other festivities in the rest of the city.
- At the beginning of August, it's time for the Avignon Jazz festival, rich in concerts and other events throughout the city.
- The first Saturday of October: the potter's market, Place Saint Didier, with 40 potters and ceramists from different regions of France, selected for the technical and artistic quality of their work.
- Every year between late November and early January, a traditional Provencal nativity scene with santons by Marcel Carbonel is installed in the peristyle of the town hall.
La Nocturne des Papes - Avignon Urban Trail
- On 4 may 2024
- Départ : place du Palais des Papes
- Come and see for yourselves or rediscover the Papal City from a brand-new angle ! - Come join the 3rd edition of this night-time urban trail in Provence !!
Wine and Vineyard Celebration - Vintners' Village
- On 10 may 2024
- Place du Palais des Papes
- This celebration of wine and vineyards is a festive event that brings wine lovers together to share, enjoy and learn about wine.
European Night of Museums in Avignon
- On 18 may 2024
- Différents monuments et musées
- An amazing evening, like no other. Discover or rediscover the city's monuments and museums, their collections. Lots of different offers on hand - special event, guided visits with the curators … at special low rates or free of charge.
Rendez-Vous aux Jardins - Go to the Gardens
- From 31 may to 2 june 2024
- Parcs et jardins de la ville
- All attention is focused on gardens during this fun weekend with lots of special events designed for all ages and especially for families.
Avignon Festival - 78th Edition
- From 29 june to 21 july 2024
- Divers lieux
- Founded in 1947 by Jean Vilar, the Festival d'Avignon is now one of the biggest international theatre events featuring contemporary live performance. For 78 years now, the city of Avignon turns into a thriving theatre city.
Festival Off Avignon - 58th Edition
- From 3 to 21 july 2024
- Divers lieux de la ville, Divers lieux de la ville
- The place to be in summer, one of the biggest performing arts festivals in the entire world ! Theatre, dance, music, circus… the Festival Off means more than 1500 shows during the 3-week duration of the festival in July. - The dates of the 2024 edition have not yet been set by the organizer.
On Danse Aussi l'été !
- From 6 to 16 july 2024
- 18 rue Guillaume Puy, CDCN Les Hivernales
- With "We (also) dance in summertime !" by Les Hivernales - CDCN d'Avignon, the dance festival dedicated to choreographic art is back this year for its new edition from 6 to 16 July.
Festival Résonance -
- From 18 to 21 july 2024
- Divers lieux
- This unusual rendezvous around the current music, electronic music proposes a setting in music and images of the heritage sites of the City of Avignon, which are tangled and find a second youth, and their environment.
