Avignon
On highway A8 and route N7, 600km from Paris, 100km from Marseille. 2:30 from Paris by High Speed train.
City of history, city of spectacle, Avignon leaves no one indifferent.
The passage of the Popes in Avignon has marked its architecture in an impressive way.
Behind the superbly preserved ramparts, you will discover the city of the Popes after crossing one of the seven main doors: the Palace of the Popes built in the 14th century and its lively square, the famous Pont d'Avignon, the museums of the Petit Palais and the Palais du Roure.
Stroll through the streets of Avignon! The old alleys, the interior courtyards of the mansions, the restored facades will charm you.
One of the most elegant in the city is rue Joseph Vernet, with the Calvet and Requien museums side by side.
Do not miss the Antiques district, the Place de l'Horloge or the covered way which will lead you to the Rocher des Doms.
From the top of the ramparts you will understand why the city of the Popes has become a formidable fortress palace: Avignon overlooks the immense spaces of the Rhone plain, it is the strategic capital of the Rhone valley.
Avignon is also the capital of the performing arts with its theater festival (created in 1947 by Jean Vilar). It generally takes place between July 10 and August 5.
Nearly 120,000 spectators flock to discover young companies or admire shows and actors with an established reputation who come from France and around the world.
The historical settings give these shows (dance, theater and music) a new and often refreshing light. The OFF festival is a real laboratory for young talents and forerunners.
The street shows complete this inimitable atmosphere which is in full swing late at night on the restaurant terraces after the shows, bringing together actors and spectators.
What to see
The Palace of the Popes.
Pont in St Benezet (pont d'Avignon).
The Opera.
The Hotel de Ville. Various churches.
Cloitre St. Louis.
The Images Museum (more than 1,000 images of Avignon).
The Petit Palais museum (paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance).
The Calvet Museum.
The Lapidaire Museum (archeology, prehistory and paintings from the XVI to the XX centuries).
Vignobles Mayard, family estate for 5 generations, are located at 20 minutes from Avignon. Caring about producing good quality wines, the winery works in sustainable agriculture in order to highlight their exceptional terroir. Rewarded in the most prestigous French wines guides (Revue des Vins de France, Bettane & Desseauve), the winery offers complex wines that you can taste in their splendid vaulted cellar from the 17th century. Know more and book online
Located 16km in the north of Avignon Domaine de la Janasse extends now across more than 90ha. The winery is one of the best among the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation and produces warm wines that stand out thanks to the subltety of their tannins. Come and visit the winery to discover their production secrets and taste their different vintages, all for free. Know more and book online
Leisure activities
Theater. Opera. Art Gallery.
Swimming pools, horse riding. Tennis.
Squash. Skating rinks.
Ballads and river excursions on the Rhone river.
Hotels
Charming and cozy boutique hotel renovated with elegance ideally located in the heart of Avignon. Refined rooms and spacious suites overlooking the Palais des Papes
Bed and breakfast
Bed and breakfast - 5 charming guest rooms in a carefully renovated farm
Large pool, flowered garden. Tastefully decorated, quality bedding
In the country and 5mn from centre. Quiet. Air conditioning.
5 guest rooms incl 1 family suite in a contemporary 19th C house
Air conditioning - Small summer kitchen - 4 ha Landscaped park
Large pool 14 X 7 - Massages - Table d'hôtes
Bed and breakfast, 4 guest rooms incl 1 suite of 2 rooms for 3 to 4 pers
each with separate entrance and terrace. Sw.Pool. Private shaded parking. On Ile de la Barthelasse
Bed and breakfast - 5 guest rooms and suites 2 to 4 pers in a historic mansion overlooking Avignon. Panoramic view. Garden. Swimming pool. Workshops of painting and sculpture. Theme stays
Bed & Breakfast - 5 guest rooms (incl 2 suites) roomy and individually personalised - Spacious rooms and individual entrances - swimming pool - Massages
4 air-conditioned charming bed and breakfast, comfortable and cozy. Large swimming pool 14X6, jacuzzi, massages, pool. In a magnificent lush setting. Secure closed parking, gourmet table d'hôtes (former chef).
5 bed and breakfast in a 16th renovated house full of charm on 2,5 ha landscaped park with pool. Ping pong, bike rentals - Ile de Barthelasse, 5 km from Palais des Papes + 3 cottages, 1 gypsy caravan, Studio and apartment
Bed and Breakfast - 3 spacious guest suites : 1 loft 45m² with sauna, 1 suite 43m² 2 to 5 pers and a insolite boat in the garden 2 pers - Separate entrances - Swimming pool - High quality cuisine - Massages.
Prestigious guest rooms, Junior suites 50m² and Loft suite of 80m² in an authentic farmhouse of 800m2 carefully renovated on a private 18 ha estate with olive trees, pond, swimming pool and permaculture farm. Table d'hôtes.
Holiday rentals
Charming and prestigious apartment 250m² up to 6 people in a mansion of character, in the center, in the heart of old Avignon with quiet private garden 500m². 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Closed garage.
3 cottages and 1 gypsy caravan for 2 pers on 2,5 ha landscaped park,
Studio 2 pers, apart 4 pers in a 16th renovated house (+ 5 B and B) - Pool - Ping pong, bike rentals - Ile de Barthelasse - 5 km from Palais des Papes
Accomodations
Hotels.
Vacation rentals.
Bed and breakfast.
Campsites.
NEIGHBOURING TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Le Pontet (3km) et Morières les Avignon (10km).