What are the best places to visit in Avignon?

The heart of Avignon is the Papal Palace, a majestic medieval castle that became the residence of the popes in the 14th century. Its monumental walls, twisted towers and numerous halls impress with their grandeur and beauty. Nearby is the Avignon Bridge, a legendary structure that once spanned the Rhône, but now only a few of its arches remain.

The old town of Avignon fascinates with narrow streets, cozy squares, old houses and shops. Here you can feel the spirit of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, admire the Gothic churches, in particular the Notre Dame Cathedral, and enjoy local cuisine in cozy cafes and restaurants.

Avignon is known not only for its history, but also for its cultural life. One of the largest theater festivals in Europe takes place here every year, which turns the city into a real capital of world art.

Rail connection with Avignon

Palace of the Popes (Palais des Papes)

The Palace of the Popes in Avignon is a monumental structure built in the Gothic style in the 14th century, when Avignon became the residence of the Roman popes for several decades. The palace is impressive in its scale - it occupies an area of ​​more than 15,000 square meters and has about 25,000 square meters of interior spaces.

The appearance of the palace is extremely majestic. Its massive walls, twisted towers and steep buttresses make an incredible impression. The two main entrances are especially impressive - the northern and southern ones, decorated with Gothic portals with whimsical sculptural images.

Inside the palace you can see numerous halls, chapels and rooms decorated with wonderful frescoes, paintings, tapestries and furniture from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The most famous of them are the Great Audience Hall, the Chapel of Benedict XII and the Papal Apartments.

Garden of Houses (Jardin des Doms)

The garden of houses in Avignon is a cozy and picturesque corner in the heart of the old town. This garden is located between several houses and is a quiet oasis of peace.

After passing through the arch, visitors are greeted by a small square surrounded by green trees and bushes. Here you can find benches where you can sit and enjoy the atmosphere. The surrounding walls are covered with climbing plants, which create a feeling of coziness and security.

The central composition of the garden is a decorated fountain surrounded by flower beds. The sound of water splashing in the fountain creates a soothing melody that adds even more peace and tranquility to the garden.

Agricol-Perdiguier square

Located in the heart of the old town, this square is a favorite place for walking and relaxing among locals and tourists.

The central decoration of the square is the monument to Agricol Perdiguier - a famous French politician, writer and trade unionist. The statue is located on a high pedestal and adds a special charm and historical flavor to the square.

Around the monument there are small squares with benches where you can sit and rest, enjoying the peace and quiet.

Pont Saint-Bénézet

The Pont Saint-Beneise in Avignon is one of the most famous medieval bridges in Europe, with a rich history and unparalleled architecture. This bridge, also known as the "Bridge of Avignon", was built in the 12th century and once crossed the Rhône River in the center of the city. Although only a part of the bridge has survived to this day, it still impresses with its scale and grandeur.

Special attention is drawn to the chapel of St. Benese, built on one of the piers of the bridge. This small but extremely beautiful Gothic building is decorated with sculptures and paintings.

Today, only 4 piers and fragments of the roadway remain from the bridge. However, even in this form, it impresses with its grandeur and historical value.

Place de l'Horloge

Place de Lorlog is one of the most attractive squares in the old town of Avignon, which attracts tourists with its unique atmosphere and architectural monuments. It got its name from the old clock located here, which was installed in 1867.

The fountain on the square attracts special attention, which adds freshness and coolness to it on hot days. It is always crowded - local residents and tourists stroll through the square, enjoying the historical atmosphere.

Avignon Town Hall

The main decoration of the square de l'Horloge is the town hall of Avignon, which impresses with its majestic and elegant architecture in the Baroque style. The building with its high arches, decorative facades and clock tower is a true architectural masterpiece.

Around the town hall there are numerous cafes, restaurants and shops, which give the square a special coziness and vitality. Here you can sit at a table under cozy canopies, enjoy delicious French cuisine and watch the everyday life of the city.

Fort St. Andre

Fort Saint-André in Avignon is a majestic fortified palace perched on a rocky hill above the Rhone River. This architectural masterpiece was built in the 14th century by order of Pope Benedict XII as a residence for the popes who were in Avignon at the time.

The size of the fort is impressive. Its thick stone walls, powerful towers and bastions give it the appearance of a medieval fortress. Inside are luxurious papal rooms, a church, reception halls and even underground tunnels.

Quarter of L'Ile

The mysterious quarter of L'Ile is a picturesque historical district of Avignon, located on an island in the middle of the Rhône River. Narrow stone streets, framed by medieval houses, create a feeling of detachment from the modern world. Picturesque bridges spanning the river add a special charm to this place.

Theater

The Avignon Theater is the legendary cultural heart of the city of Avignon. Located in the heart of the old town, this theater is one of the most famous and influential theater venues in Europe.

The Theater of Avignon is known for its famous annual theater festival, which has been held here since 1947. It is the largest theater festival in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators and artists from all over the world. During three weeks of July, the best plays, performances, concerts and other artistic events are presented here, turning Avignon into a true theater capital of Europe.

Church of Saint Pierre

Saint-Pierre Church is one of the most outstanding architectural monuments of Avignon, located in the heart of the historic city center. This majestic Gothic church, built in the XIII-XIV centuries, impresses with its scale and refined beauty. Its majestic facades, built of local light stone, stand out among the surrounding buildings, creating an impression of monumentality and solemnity.

The interior of Saint-Pierre is no less impressive. Majestic naves supported by slender columns create a sense of space and light. Rich sculptural decoration, exquisite altars and stained glass windows fill the temple with the spirit of medieval grandeur.

Lambert Collection

The Lambert Collection is one of the most famous modern art museums in France, located in the heart of Avignon. The museum is located in two historical buildings of the XVIII-XIX centuries, which perfectly combine the traditional architecture of Provence and modern artistic space. The exterior of the museum impresses with its monumentality and strict elegance, creating a feeling of belonging to a great cultural heritage.

The Lambert collection includes more than 700 works by leading contemporary artists, including Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami, Sarah Lucas, Damien Hirst and other famous names. These artworks are presented in a variety of media, from painting and sculpture to installations and video art.