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The Palais des Papes dominates Avignon's skyline — the largest Gothic palace in Europe

Top Que Faire à Avignon — Complete Guide 2026

Published 6 July 2026 · By IMPT Éco-Hôtels

Avignon is one of those rare cities where every street corner reveals another layer of history, art, or Provençal charm. Enclosed within 4.3 km of medieval ramparts, this UNESCO World Heritage city on the Rhône served as the seat of the papacy from 1309 to 1377, and the monumental architecture from that era still defines its character. But Avignon is far more than a museum piece — it's a living city with world-class festivals, outstanding museums, bustling markets, and some of the finest wine country in France just beyond its walls. Here's your complete guide to everything worth doing in and around Avignon in 2026.

1. Explore the Palais des Papes

No visit to Avignon begins anywhere other than the Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace in Europe and the defining monument of the city. Built between 1335 and 1364, the palace served as the residence of seven successive popes and two antipopes during the period known as the Avignon Papacy. The scale is genuinely staggering — the complex covers over 15,000 square metres, with walls rising more than 50 metres above the Place du Palais below.

Inside, the highlights include the Grand Tinel, the vast banqueting hall where papal feasts were held; the Chapelle Saint-Jean, decorated with frescoes by the Italian painter Matteo Giovannetti depicting the life of St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist; and the Chambre du Cerf (the Stag Room), with remarkably well-preserved frescoes of hunting and fishing scenes that offer a rare glimpse of secular medieval art. The Histopad, an interactive augmented-reality tablet included with admission, overlays digital reconstructions of the rooms as they appeared during the papal era, complete with furnishings, tapestries, and figures — a genuinely impressive piece of museum technology.

Allow at least two hours for the palace. The rooftop terrace offers panoramic views across the Rhône to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and, on clear days, out towards Mont Ventoux. Combined tickets with the Pont Saint-Bénézet are available and offer good value.

2. Walk the Pont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d'Avignon)

Immortalised in the folk song "Sur le pont d'Avignon," the Pont Saint-Bénézet is one of the most recognisable landmarks in France, even in its ruined state. Originally built between 1177 and 1185, the bridge once stretched 900 metres across the Rhône with 22 arches, connecting Avignon to the defensive tower of Philippe le Bel in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. Repeated floods progressively destroyed sections, and by the 17th century only the four arches standing today remained.

Walking out along the surviving arches is a surprisingly atmospheric experience. The Chapel of Saint-Nicolas, perched on the bridge's second pier, is a tiny masterpiece of Romanesque architecture with two superimposed chapels. The audio guide included with entry tells the legend of Bénézet, a young shepherd who, divinely inspired, began construction of the bridge — and it provides historical context on the bridge's commercial importance as a crossing point on the Rhône trade route. The best photographs of the bridge are actually taken from the Rocher des Doms gardens above, or from the Île de la Barthelasse on the far side.

3. Enjoy the Views from the Rocher des Doms

Perched above the Palais des Papes, the Rocher des Doms is the rocky outcrop where Avignon was first settled — archaeological evidence dates human habitation here to around 3000 BC. Today it's a beautifully landscaped hilltop garden with a duck pond, shaded paths under mature plane trees, and the best panoramic viewpoint in the city. From the northern terrace, you look down on the Pont Saint-Bénézet and out across the Rhône to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. On clear days, Mont Ventoux (the "Giant of Provence") is visible 60 km to the northeast. The park is free, open daily, and makes an ideal spot for a morning coffee or a sunset apéritif. It's a 5-minute walk uphill from the Place du Palais.

4. Experience the Festival d'Avignon

Founded in 1947 by the visionary actor and director Jean Vilar, the Festival d'Avignon is the world's largest performing arts festival and transforms the city every July. The main festival — known as the "In" — presents curated productions of theatre, dance, and performance in extraordinary venues, most famously the open-air Cour d'Honneur of the Palais des Papes, where audiences of up to 2,000 watch performances against the palace's Gothic façade as the sky darkens overhead. Tickets for the "In" go on sale in spring and headline shows sell out quickly.

Running simultaneously, the Festival "Off" is a sprawling fringe event with over 1,500 shows spread across every conceivable venue in the city — converted chapels, garages, courtyards, and back rooms. Much of the "Off" is walk-up or book-on-the-day, and the sheer variety is thrilling: avant-garde theatre, circus acts, one-person shows, political satire, children's performances, and everything in between. During the festival, Avignon's population effectively doubles, and the streets become a continuous parade of performers, posters, and flyering troupes. If you're visiting in July, book your accommodation well in advance — the city fills completely.

5. Discover the Musée du Petit Palais

Housed in a 14th-century cardinal's palace at the northern end of Place du Palais, the Petit Palais holds an exceptional collection of Italian Renaissance paintings and medieval sculpture. The collection, assembled largely from the Campana collection acquired by France in 1861, includes works by Sandro Botticelli (a luminous "Virgin and Child"), Vittore Carpaccio, Giovanni di Paolo, and masters of the Avignon School. The building itself — with its Gothic courtyards and vaulted halls — is worth the visit alone. The museum is often surprisingly quiet even in high season, making it a peaceful counterpoint to the crowds at the Palais des Papes next door. Free entry on the first Sunday of each month.

6. See Contemporary Art at Collection Lambert

One of France's most important contemporary art museums, the Collection Lambert occupies two 18th-century hôtels particuliers (grand townhouses) on Rue Violette in the heart of the old town. Art dealer Yvon Lambert donated his personal collection to the city in 2000, and it has grown into a major institution. The permanent collection includes works by Cy Twombly, Anselm Kiefer, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Sol LeWitt, Nan Goldin, and Douglas Gordon, among others. Temporary exhibitions rotate several times a year and often feature major international artists. The museum's courtyard café is a pleasant spot even if you're not visiting the galleries — good coffee, shaded tables, and a relaxed atmosphere.

7. Tour the Vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, just 18 km north of Avignon, is one of France's most prestigious wine appellations and an essential day trip for anyone with an interest in wine. The appellation is famous for its powerful, full-bodied red blends — typically Grenache-dominant, with Mourvèdre, Syrah, and up to ten other permitted varieties. The vineyards are planted on slopes covered with large, smooth galets (river stones) that absorb heat during the day and radiate it back to the vines at night, contributing to the wines' rich concentration.

Several domaines welcome visitors for tastings, including Château de Beaucastel, Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe, and Château La Nerthe. The village itself is picturesque, crowned by the ruins of a 14th-century castle built as a summer residence for the Avignon popes — the "new castle of the pope" that gave the village its name. Panoramic views from the castle ruins stretch across the Rhône valley vineyards. Half-day guided tours depart from Avignon by minibus, or you can drive (or even cycle) there via the quiet D roads alongside the river.

8. Day Trip to the Pont du Gard

The Pont du Gard, 25 km northeast of Avignon, is one of the most impressive surviving Roman structures anywhere. This three-tiered aqueduct bridge rises 49 metres above the Gardon river and was built in the 1st century AD to carry water from a spring at Uzès to the Roman colony of Nemausus (Nîmes), a distance of 50 km. The precision of the construction — using blocks weighing up to 6 tonnes, fitted without mortar — is extraordinary. The site includes an excellent museum explaining the aqueduct's engineering and Roman daily life, plus walking trails along the Gardon. In summer, swimming beneath the arches is a local tradition. Bus services run from Avignon, or it's a scenic 40-minute drive through garrigue-covered limestone hills.

9. Browse Les Halles d'Avignon

Avignon's covered market on Place Pie is the heart of the city's food culture. Around 40 stallholders sell the best of Provence: ripe tomatoes, olives, charcuterie, goat cheeses from nearby farms, lavender honey, tapenade, fresh fish, and seasonal fruits. The market building's façade is notable for its striking vertical garden, designed by renowned botanist Patrick Blanc, creating a living green wall of ferns and tropical plants that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding stone buildings. Les Halles is open every morning from Tuesday to Sunday (closed Monday). Arrive before 10 am for the best selection. On Saturday mornings, local chefs give cooking demonstrations using ingredients from the market stalls. Upstairs, a small bar serves coffee and light bites — a perfect vantage point for watching the morning bustle below.

10. Walk or Cycle the Île de la Barthelasse

The Île de la Barthelasse, sitting in the Rhône between Avignon and Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, is the largest river island in Europe and offers a remarkable rural escape just minutes from the city centre. An 8 km walking loop takes you through orchards, farmland, and riverside paths shaded by poplars. In summer, a free ferry (navette fluviale) crosses from the foot of the Pont d'Avignon to the island. Cyclists can rent Vélopop bikes and ride the flat trails. At the southern tip, you get an exceptional view back towards the Palais des Papes and the city walls rising above the river — one of the best photo opportunities in Avignon. The island also has several farm-to-table restaurants and a public outdoor swimming pool popular with locals in summer.

Bonus: More Things Worth Your Time

Place de l'Horloge — Avignon's social centre, named after the 14th-century clock tower on the Hôtel de Ville. Lined with café terraces and shaded by plane trees, it's the best spot for an evening apéritif. The Opéra-Théâtre d'Avignon, a handsome 19th-century building, faces the square.

Avignon City Walls Circuit — Walk the complete 4.3 km loop around the medieval ramparts, passing 39 towers and several imposing gates. Takes about an hour and offers changing perspectives of the city, the Rhône, and the Rocher des Doms.

Rue des Teinturiers — A charming cobbled street along a canal, named after the dyers who once worked here. Paddle wheels still turn in the water. Today it's lined with restaurants, independent shops, and bohemian cafés — a favourite local hangout.

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