OT Avignon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Avignon

A Medieval Heartbeat in Provence

Avignon stands along the Rhône River in southeastern France. The city features a historic center with medieval walls and a large stone bridge that once connected to the Papal Palace. Markets sell local produce, cheeses and wines from nearby vineyards. Streets are lined with cafes where people gather for coffee or meals. Walking paths run along riverbanks and through parks. Public transport connects neighborhoods without heavy traffic. The area balances daily life with cultural sites, making it accessible to visitors seeking history, food and relaxed exploration.

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Town in France

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.9

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	9

Read details

3/5

Tourist areas generally offer good English support, especially in hotels, main attractions, and restaurants. Outside the center, English is less common, so basic French phrases are helpful.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Avignon Summary

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Famous for medieval history and architecture. Visit the grand papal palace, walk ancient city walls, explore museums and enjoy lively festivals.

Place score

7.9

Best at:

Historic sites

Guided tours

Wine

Cosy towns

Rivers

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

💻 9

Digital Nomads

France – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in cities and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is optional but appreciated in restaurants (5-10%) and for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, but restrictions apply in some cities.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces but common in outdoor cafes.

Bastille Day (July)	Parades and fireworks occur nationwide.
Easter (March/April)	Cultural celebrations and closures.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive events.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 112 (EU emergency), 15 (Ambulance), 17 (Police), 18 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt, Heetch
Other:	France offers diverse experiences, from art and culture to nature and cuisine. Be cautious in crowded areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Avignon, France

🌤️

Jan

☀️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

☀️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

☀️

Dec

High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	March - April, Oct.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Festival d'Avignon (theatre) runs early to late July; accommodation books out months ahead

Mistral wind can blow for days, mostly in winter and spring

Don't miss

🏰 Tour the grand Palais des Papes, medieval papal palace
🌉 Walk across the historic Pont Saint-Bénézet bridge
🌳 Relax in the scenic Jardin du Rocher des Doms park
🥖 Browse fresh local produce at Les Halles market
🚶‍♀️ Explore the charming streets of Avignon’s old town
🖼️ Visit the Musée du Petit Palais for classic art

You've been here?

Why travel to Avignon?

Avignon offers a captivating blend of history and culture. Its well-preserved medieval walls, the iconic Pont d'Avignon and the grand Palais des Papes take you back in time. The city is also a gateway to the picturesque Provence countryside and renowned vineyards of the Rhône Valley. The annual Festival d'Avignon, one of the largest performing arts festivals in the world, fills the city with creativity and life.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Synagogue
2 Musée Calvet
3 Pont Saint-Bénezet
4 Musée du Petit Palais
5 Rue des Teinturiers
6 Rocher des Doms
7 Place de l'Horloge
8 Popes' Palace
9 Fort Saint-André

🎡Places for activities

1 Opéra Grand Avignon
2 Théâtre des Halles
3 Pont d'Avignon
4 Place de l'Horloge
5 Remparts d'Avignon
6 Festival off d’Avignon
7 Allée du Petit Train

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Pont du Gard
2 Mont Ventoux
3 Jardin des plantes
4 Île de la Barthelasse
5 Rocher des Doms
6 Gorges de l'Ardèche

🛍️Shopping

1 Les Halles
2 Rue de la République
3 Place Pie
4 Les Olivades

🎈Events

Festival d'Avignon (July)
Les Hivernales (Dance Festival, February)
Avignon Blues Festival (October)
Cheval Passion (Equestrian Show, January)
Les Luminessences d'Avignon (Summer light show)
Provençal Christmas Markets (December)
Fête de la Musique (June 21)
Les Estivales d'Avignon (Summer)
European Heritage Days (September)
Côtes du Rhône Wine Festival (October)

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Buy Palais des Papes tickets online; lines form early.
Walk Pont d'Avignon at sunset for magical Rhône River lighting and fewer crowds.
Explore Les Halles market mornings for Provençal cheeses, olives and fresh baguettes.
Climb Rocher des Doms gardens for panoramic views of palace, bridge and medieval ramparts.

How to travel to Avignon

Avignon is accessible by high-speed TGV train (2.5 hours from Paris). The Avignon-Provence Airport offers flights to limited European destinations. Nearby airports in Marseille and Nîmes provide broader connections. Regular buses connect to regional hubs.

Access summary

From Marseille Provence Airport (MRS): TER/TGV via Vitrolles, roughly 1–1.75 hours.
From Marseille St‑Charles: Direct TGV/TER trains usually 35–60 minutes.
From Paris: High-speed TGV to Avignon TGV around 2.5–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Avignon

Avignon offers a mix of charming boutique hotels, historic accommodations and budget options. Staying within the city walls gives easy access to main sights, while the countryside provides peaceful retreats.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Kyriad Avignon - Palais des Papes

8.7

Novotel Avignon Centre

8.2

Mercure Avignon Gare TGV

8.8

The Originals Boutique, Hôtel Danieli, Avignon

8.0

Le Clos Violette D'Aglaé

9.6

Ibis Avignon centre gare

7.9

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Avignon

Walking is ideal for the old town. The free shuttle boat to Île de la Barthelasse is a hidden gem. Public buses (Orizo network) are reliable and bike rentals are popular. For exploring Provence, renting a car is recommended.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-15 %

Daily expenses in Avignon are around 15% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£65	£144	£381
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£30	£75	£180
🍝 Food per day	£29	£61	£169
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£8	£31

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£22
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£14
🍟 Fast food combo	£10.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£9.50
☕ Cappuccino	£2.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£3.70

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.25
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£19
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.50

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£11
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£22
🤧 Cold medication	£8
💇 Basic haircut	£15

Safety information overview

General safety

Avignon is generally safe, but standard precautions apply. Avoid isolated areas at night and watch for petty theft, especially during festivals and crowded markets.

Health & Medical

Good healthcare facilities are available. Pharmacies are well-stocked and hospitals provide quality care. No specific health risks for travelers.

Accessibility

Main attractions and public transport are mostly accessible. Some older areas and cobblestone streets can be challenging for wheelchairs and strollers.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink. Public fountains are available but not all are suitable for drinking. Bringing a reusable bottle is recommended.