This beautiful town on the River Rhone with its colorful history, including a battle for the Catholic papacy that left a legacy of a bohemian atmosphere and proliferation of the arts, not forgetting the beautiful Palais de Papes. With its beautiful dome crested by a golden statue of Mary, the palace looks over the river and the winding cobbled streets of the old walled town.

Next to the palace is Rocher des Doms, a park with a small grotto, which affords an indefinably spectacular view. The panorama spans more than 180 degrees, and encompasses the river, Pont St-Benezet, the old town, patchwork plains and rolling hills in the distance, Villeneuve-les-Avignon and the roman ruins nestled on the side of the hill.

Festival d’Avignon

In summer every year the Festival d’Avignon takes place and the streets of the old town swim with street performers. At this time of year the afternoon sunlight crowns the streets of the old town with a magical haze. The surreal atmosphere provides the setting for the mind-altering feast of performers on display. Tight-rope walkers, magicians, jugglers, puppeteers and singers delight with their devotion to their craft. On squares, in theatres, precariously clinging to the side of the cathedral; the joy of this festival is scattered throughout old Avignon.
The atmosphere is incredibly relaxed and people all ages stroll aimlessly from street to street soaking in as many different artists as they please. A less active alternative for some is to stop for a bite and be entertained by wandering performers. Apart from the offerings on the streets – the town’s theatres buzz with a swarm of shows. The walled city has distractions for those blind to the trappings of festivals of the arts. The old town is a maze of shops, restaurants, theatres, artists’ studios, craftwares and bars. All with a prerequisite helping of continental class. There are also markets selling posters, prints, books, clothing, music and of course, the obligatory postcards. Beyond all of these things is the town itself. You can walk through a hole in the wall on the river side. Once inside you wander past people’s houses, down cobbled backstreets. From time-to-time you can look into people’s courtyards – nooks and crannies revealing small snippets of the lives led by the Avignon’s residents. Avignon is a place with atmosphere – it’s distinctly provencal and has a charm that is inviting and intriguing.

More information

Tourist Information: Avignon Tourist Office
41, cours Jean Jaures BP 8
84000 Avignon cedex1
Tel. +33 04 32 74 32 74
Fax 04 90 82 95 03
information@ot-avignon.fr