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 compact, walled city in the south of France, built around the Palace of the Popes and the famous broken bridge over the Rhône. It's an easy city to explore on foot, with narrow lanes, squares, and markets inside the old walls, plus quieter spots just across the river. Best months to visit are April, May, September, and October, when the weather is mild enough for walking without the summer heat.
Avignon's main sights, the Palace of the Popes, the bridge, the cathedral, and the old town, can be covered in 2 days, with time left for a museum or a walk along the city walls.
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 |
Highs reach just 10.1°C with 6.8 rain days. Cold and quiet, this scores ok (4.4) and suits those who like Avignon without crowds.
Highs climb to 12.7°C with 6.2 rain days. Conditions improve and the month scores good (6.1), a calmer alternative to peak season.
Highs of 15.8°C with 7.7 rain days bring spring warmth. This month scores good (7.4) as days lengthen and sun hours rise to 9.4.
Highs of 19°C with 7.8 rain days make for mild, pleasant weather. April scores best (8.4), among the top months to visit.
Highs of 22.9°C with 8.8 rain days, the wettest spring month at 78mm. Still scores best (8.2) thanks to warmth and long 11.6-hour sun days.
Highs jump to 28.6°C with 7.8 rain days. Hot and mostly dry, this scores good (7.1) as summer heat builds.
Highs peak at 32.1°C with only 2.7 rain days, the driest month at 18mm. The intense heat drags this down to an ok score (4.9).
Highs stay near 31.2°C with 3.9 rain days. Still hot but slightly easing, August scores good (6.6).
Highs drop to 26°C with 6.3 rain days, though rainfall rises to 79mm. This is the top-scoring month (8.7), balancing warmth and comfort.
Highs fall to 20.6°C but rain days climb to 8.7 with 122mm, the wettest month of the year. Despite the rain, it scores best (8.3) for mild temperatures.
Highs of 14.4°C with 9.5 rain days, the most of any month, and 96mm of rain. Cool and damp, it still scores good (6.1).
Highs of 11.3°C with 7.7 rain days and just 6.4 sun hours, the darkest month. Cold and grey conditions bring an ok score (4.7).
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.
A small round sweet filled with origan (oregano) liqueur and coated in chocolate. It's a local confection often picked up from Avignon's historic chocolate and sweet shops as a gift or treat.
Avignon sits in Provence, so markets sell tomatoes, melons, olives, and herbs like thyme and lavender. Locals shop for these at open-air markets to cook simple, fresh meals at home.
A slow-cooked beef stew made with red wine, often from nearby Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards. It's a hearty dish served in local restaurants, especially during cooler months.
A paste made from olives, capers, and olive oil, spread on bread as a starter. It's a staple of Provençal cooking found on menus across Avignon.
Avignon is close to the Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine regions. Locals pair these red wines with regional dishes in restaurants throughout the city.
Yes, August scores 6.6 out of 10, rated good. Expect a high of 31.2°C and a low of 19.6°C, with only 3.9 rain days and 46mm of rain. It's hot and mostly dry, with 12.5 hours of sun a day, so plan museum visits around midday heat.
September, April, October and May score highest, all rated best. September tops the list at 8.7, with highs around 26°C and 10.5 hours of sun. April and May bring highs of 19–22.9°C, and October offers 20.6°C highs, though it's the wettest month with 122mm of rain over 8.7 days.
Two days is enough to see the main sights. The Palace of the Popes takes 2–3 hours, and smaller sites like the Pont d'Avignon, Rocher des Doms, City Walls and Rue des Teinturiers each take about 1 hour. Museums such as Petit Palais, Collection Lambert and Calvet add 1–2 hours each, totalling under 14 hours of sightseeing.
July is the hottest month, with a high of 32.1°C and a low of 20.4°C, and it scores only 4.9, rated ok. It is also the driest month, with just 2.7 rain days and 18mm of rain, but the heat can make midday sightseeing uncomfortable despite 13.7 hours of sun.
Yes, October is the wettest month, with 122mm of rain spread over 8.7 days. Despite this, it still scores 8.3, rated best, because temperatures stay mild with a high of 20.6°C and a low of 12.1°C, and sunshine averages 8.2 hours a day.
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