France

Avignon

Base in Avignon for two to three days: one in town, day trips to Pont du Gard and the Luberon villages. We have mapped 5 sights, 1 activity and 2 places to eat here, each with a reason to go.

Plan Avignon with friends Browse 10 places

Places: 10
Curated routes: 1
Best season: May – Sep
Warmest month: July
Coolest month: January
Wettest month: November

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Avignon

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Avignon across Intra-muros, Gard and Luberon.

Photo: François de Dijon · CC BY-SA 3.0
See
Palais des Papes
The largest Gothic palace in Europe, seat of the popes in the 14th century.
Tip The HistoPad tablet tour is included; go at opening.
- Intra-muros
- $$
- 2 hr
- Morning
Photo: Henk Monster · CC BY 3.0
See
Pont Saint-Bénezet
The half-bridge of the 'Sur le pont d'Avignon' song, reaching partway over the Rhône.
Tip Combo tickets with the Palais save money.
- Intra-muros
- $$
- 45 min
- Late morning
Photo: Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr) · CC BY-SA 3.0
See
Pont du Gard
Three-tier Roman aqueduct over the Gardon River with a museum and swimming spots.
Tip Arrive at opening or late afternoon; bring swimwear in summer.
- Gard
- $$
- 3 hr
- Late afternoon
Photo: Chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0
See
Gordes
Stone village stacked on a cliff above the Luberon valley.
Tip Best view is from the road before entering town.
- Luberon
- Free
- 1.5 hr
- Late afternoon
Photo: Dk · Google
See
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque
Cistercian abbey fronted by lavender fields in a quiet valley.
Tip Lavender blooms late June to mid-July; dress modestly for the abbey.
- Luberon
- $
- 60 min
- Early July

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Avignon in Intra-muros.

Photo: seri lithi · Google
Do
Rocher des Doms
Hilltop garden above the Palais with views over the Rhône and Mont Ventoux.
Tip Bring a picnic for sunset.
- Intra-muros
- Free
- 45 min
- Sunset

Eat

2 places to eat in Intra-muros, picked for groups who care about the food.

Photo: Julz Jazmin · Google
Eat
Les Halles d'Avignon
Covered market with Provençal produce, cheeses and a green living wall facade.
Tip Open mornings; closed Mondays.
- Intra-muros
- $
- 60 min
- Morning
Photo: Le Restaurant - La Mirande · Google
Eat
La Mirande
Restaurant in an 18th-century cardinal's palace hotel behind the Palais des Papes.
Tip Book ahead; lunch is the better value.
- Intra-muros
- $$$$
- 2 hr
- Lunch

Drink

1 bar or café in Châteauneuf-du-Pape for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

Photo: Château La Nerthe · Google
Drink
Château La Nerthe
Historic Châteauneuf-du-Pape estate with cellar tours and tastings.
Tip Book a tasting ahead; Châteauneuf is 20 minutes north.
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- $$
- 1.5 hr
- Afternoon

Shop

1 shop in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue for browsing and souvenirs.

Photo: gilbert BAROUKH · Google
Shop
L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Sunday Market
Antiques and produce market spread along canals in a river town.
Tip Arrive before 10 am; Thursday has a smaller market.
- L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
- $
- 2 hr
- Sunday morning

How to fit Avignon into a trip

Avignon is stop 2 of 3 on our Paris to the Riviera route. Follow it as-is or lift Avignon into your own plan.

Stop 2 of 3
Paris to the Riviera
Bistros, lavender country & the Côte d’Azur by TGV
Trip length
8 days
Best season
May – Sep
Pace
easy
- Before: Paris
- Next: Nice
See the full itinerary

Getting here and onward

Avignon to NiceNice is about 199 km / 124 mi away in a straight line
Paris to AvignonParis is about 577 km / 359 mi away in a straight line

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Avignon month by month

Average daily highs run from 10°C / 50°F in January to 33°C / 92°F in July. November is the wettest month, with about 98 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Avignon weather and the best time to visit →

Near Avignon

7 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.

Avignon questions, answered

How many days do you need in Avignon?

Our route notes suggest 2–3 days in Avignon. On our Paris to the Riviera route it is stop 2 of 3 in a 8-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 16 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Avignon best known for?

Base in Avignon for two to three days: one in town, day trips to Pont du Gard and the Luberon villages. Standouts on our list: Palais des Papes (The largest Gothic palace in Europe, seat of the popes in the 14th century); Pont Saint-Bénezet (The half-bridge of the 'Sur le pont d'Avignon' song, reaching partway over the Rhône); Pont du Gard (Three-tier Roman aqueduct over the Gardon River with a museum and swimming spots).

When is the best time to visit Avignon?

Our Paris to the Riviera route is best May – Sep. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (33°C / 92°F), the coolest in January (10°C / 50°F) and the most rain in November (about 98 mm).

What are the best things to do in Avignon?

Start with Palais des Papes, Pont Saint-Bénezet, Rocher des Doms, Pont du Gard and Gordes. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 5 sights, 1 activity, 2 places to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 shop.

Where should a group eat in Avignon?

Our picks: Les Halles d'Avignon (Intra-muros); La Mirande (Intra-muros). Open mornings; closed Mondays (Les Halles d'Avignon).

What is near Avignon?

The closest destinations in our guides are Nice (about 199 km / 124 mi), Cadaqués (about 222 km / 138 mi) and Calella de Palafrugell (about 265 km / 164 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Avignon with your crew

Open the Paris to the Riviera route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

Get TripsCircle

Avignon

Things to do in Avignon

See

Palais des Papes

Pont Saint-Bénezet

Pont du Gard

Gordes

Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque

Do

Rocher des Doms

Eat

Les Halles d'Avignon

La Mirande