What to see, where to stay and the best time to visit Avignon, France.
Photo: Jean-Marc Rosier (de/from http://www.cjrosier.com + http://www.gordes-immobilier.com) / Wikimedia Commons
Avignon is a French city of 92,188 people, away from the coast. Most visitors spend their time in the historic centre, where the Palace of the Popes, Pont Saint-Bénézet and Rocher des Doms sit close together inside the old city walls. Food lovers can stay near Les Halles and Place Pie. Rue des Teinturiers suits couples and quieter evenings. The best months to go are April, May, September and October.
Most main sights are in the historic centre and take about 1 hour each. The Palace of the Popes needs 2–3 hours. A short stay covers the basics. Add time to relax on Île de la Barthelasse or in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.
Historic centre
This huge Gothic palace was the seat of the popes during their time in Avignon, and it dominates the old town. Most rooms are now bare, so the tablet guide helps bring the empty halls to life. Go early or late in the day to avoid the tour groups.
Historic centre
The medieval bridge from the well-known children's song now stops partway across the Rhône. You can walk out onto it and see the small chapel on top. The view of it from the riverbank or the Rocher des Doms is free and, for many visitors, enough.
Historic centre
A hilltop park right next to the Palace of the Popes, with a pond, shade and benches. From the edge you look over the Rhône, the broken bridge and Villeneuve-lès-Avignon across the river. It is a good place to rest after the palace.
Historic centre
The cathedral sits between the palace and the Rocher des Doms, topped by a gilded statue of the Virgin. Inside you can see the tombs of two popes. It is an easy stop on the way up to the park.
Historic centre
A former bishops' palace at the end of the Place du Palais, now a museum of medieval and Renaissance art. It holds a strong collection of Italian paintings, including a Botticelli Madonna. It is usually much quieter than the Palace of the Popes.
Around the old town
Medieval walls with towers and gates still circle the whole old town. You can only walk on top of a short section near the bridge, but a walk along the outside, especially by the river, shows how complete they are.
Historic centre
A contemporary art museum in an elegant old town house, based on the collection of art dealer Yvon Lambert. The shows change often and mix photography, painting and installation. It is a good choice if you want a break from medieval sights.
Place Pie
The covered food market, easy to spot from outside thanks to its green living wall of plants. Inside, stalls sell Provençal cheese, olives, fish and ready-to-eat food. Go in the morning, when it is at its busiest and best.
Historic centre
A shady street along a small canal, lined with plane trees and old water wheels from the days of the cloth dyers. It has cafés and small bars, and feels calmer than the main squares. It is best for a slow walk or a drink in the evening.
Historic centre
The city's fine arts museum, set in a grand mansion with a garden courtyard. It covers paintings and sculpture from several centuries, including French and Provençal artists. It rarely feels crowded.
Average weather and our month score, from 10 years of climate data.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10°C / 3°C | 7 days (45 mm) | 6.8 h/day | 4.4/10 |
| February | 13°C / 4°C | 6 days (46 mm) | 7.8 h/day | 6.1/10 |
| March | 16°C / 6°C | 8 days (62 mm) | 9.4 h/day | 7.4/10 |
| Best month: April | 19°C / 9°C | 8 days (64 mm) | 10.5 h/day | 8.4/10 |
| Best month: May | 23°C / 13°C | 9 days (78 mm) | 11.6 h/day | 8.2/10 |
| June | 29°C / 18°C | 8 days (50 mm) | 13.3 h/day | 7.1/10 |
| July | 32°C / 20°C | 3 days (18 mm) | 13.7 h/day | 4.9/10 |
| August | 31°C / 20°C | 4 days (46 mm) | 12.5 h/day | 6.6/10 |
| Best month: September | 26°C / 16°C | 6 days (79 mm) | 10.5 h/day | 8.7/10 |
| Best month: October | 21°C / 12°C | 9 days (122 mm) | 8.2 h/day | 8.3/10 |
| November | 14°C / 7°C | 10 days (96 mm) | 7.0 h/day | 6.1/10 |
| December | 11°C / 4°C | 8 days (59 mm) | 6.4 h/day | 4.7/10 |
Cool and dim, with highs of 10°C, lows of 3°C and 6.8 rain days. It scores 4.4, only ok, so it is not the best time to go.
Highs reach 12.7°C, with 6.2 rain days and more sun than January. A good month, scoring 6.1.
Spring warms to 15.8°C highs, with 7.7 rain days and 9.4 hours of sun. Good, with a score of 7.4.
One of the best months, scoring 8.4. Highs of 19°C and 7.8 rain days make it pleasant for walking the city.
Best verdict, scoring 8.2. Warm highs of 22.9°C, but expect 8.8 rain days, the most of any spring month.
Good, scoring 7.1. Heat builds to highs of 28.6°C, with 13.3 hours of sun and 7.8 rain days.
The hottest month, with highs of 32.1°C and lows of 20.4°C. Only 2.7 rain days, but the heat drops the score to 4.9, only ok.
Still hot at 31.2°C highs, with 3.9 rain days. Good, scoring 6.6. Plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings.
The top-scoring month at 8.7. Highs ease to 26°C, with 6.3 rain days and 10.5 hours of sun.
Best, scoring 8.3, with mild 20.6°C highs. But it is the wettest month by volume, with 122 mm over 8.7 rain days.
Good, scoring 6.1, but damp, with 9.5 rain days, the most of the year, and highs of only 14.4°C.
Only ok, scoring 4.7. Highs of 11.3°C, 7.7 rain days and the least sun of the year, at 6.4 hours.
Climate averages 2015–2024 · Best time to visit France →
The best areas to base yourself and who each one suits.
Good for food lovers, independent travellers
This area sits around the covered market, with its green plant wall, and the square outside has bars and places to eat. It is still inside the walls and close to the main sights, but feels more local. The square can be loud at night, and the market area starts early in the morning.
Good for couples, slower travel, quieter evenings
This street follows a small canal with old water wheels and plane trees in the east of the walled city. It has a relaxed, local feel and a few small bars and restaurants. It is a longer walk to the station and the palace, and some parts of the surrounding streets feel quiet or rundown after dark.
Good for repeat visitors, calm stays, drivers
This separate small town sits across the Rhône, with its own fort, abbey and views back to the papal palace. It is calmer than Avignon and parking is usually easier. You will need a bus, car or a long walk over the river to reach Avignon's centre, and the mistral wind can make the crossing unpleasant.
Good for families, cyclists, nature lovers
This large, flat river island has farms, orchards and a riverside path, with views of the Pont d'Avignon and the city walls. It suits people who want green space and a base for cycling. It is outside the walls with few shops or restaurants, so you will rely on a bike, car or the river shuttle to reach the centre.
The city's own sweet. A thin pink chocolate shell filled with Origan du Comtat, a local herb liqueur. Look for it in confectioners' shops in the old town. People often buy a box as a gift.
A slow-cooked stew of lamb or mutton marinated in white wine with garlic, herbs and orange peel. It is a home-style dish, served mostly in the cooler months in traditional Provençal restaurants.
A paste of black olives, capers, anchovies and olive oil. Locals spread it on bread or toast with an aperitif before dinner. You will find it in bars, restaurants and at market stalls.
A strong red wine from the village of the same name, north of Avignon. Its name comes from the popes who lived in Avignon. Wine bars in the city often sell it by the glass.
Sweet orange-fleshed melons grown around nearby Cavaillon. They are a summer treat. Buy them at Les Halles, the covered market, or see them served with cured ham as a starter.
September is the best month, with a score of 8.7. Average highs reach 26°C, there are about 6.3 rain days and 10.5 hours of sun a day. April (8.4), October (8.3) and May (8.2) are also top months. They offer warm, pleasant weather without the peak summer heat.
Yes, July is the hottest month, and it only scores 4.9. Average highs reach 32.1°C and nights stay around 20.4°C, so walking the old town in the afternoon can be tiring. It is the driest month, with only 2.7 rain days and 18 mm of rain. If you must go in summer, August is a little cooler at 31.2°C and scores better, at 6.6.
October gets the most rain of the year, at 122 mm, but it is still one of the best months, scoring 8.3. That rain falls on about 8.7 days, so many days stay dry. Highs are a comfortable 20.6°C. November has more rain days (9.5) and is cooler, at 14.4°C, which is why it scores lower, at 6.1.
Winter is fine but not ideal. January scores 4.4 and December 4.7. Highs are only 10.1°C in January and 11.3°C in December, with about 6.4 to 6.8 hours of sun a day. February is better, at 6.1, with highs of 12.7°C. Choose March instead if you want mild weather before the spring peak.
2 days is enough to see the main sights at an easy pace. Almost all of them are in or around the historic centre. The Palace of the Popes takes 2–3 hours. Pont Saint-Bénézet, Rocher des Doms and the city walls take about 1 hour each. The Petit Palais, Calvet Museum and Collection Lambert each need 1–2 hours.
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