![\"what](\"https:\/\/provencelovers.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/best-things-to-do-avignon-visit.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nThis guide is completely independent<\/strong>, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n The historic center of Avignon can be explored on foot, from square to square and alley to alley. Rue des Teinturiers<\/strong>, lined with plane trees and bordered by a branch of the Sorgue, is one of the town’s most attractive streets: its old paddlewheels are a reminder of the textile industry that once flourished here. We really enjoyed the atmosphere of this neighborhood. Piazza Pie<\/strong>, with its lively caf\u00e9 terraces and market, is an excellent starting point for exploring the center. Further south, the Place de l’Horloge<\/strong> is home to the town’s institutional buildings, including the H\u00f4tel de Ville and theOp\u00e9ra Grand Avignon<\/strong>. The surrounding 19th-century facades give the esplanade the look of a stage set. You can sit out on the terrace and watch the ballet of passers-by before continuing your exploration.<\/p>\n\n Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or, if you’ve chosen your destination, our selection of the best hotels<\/strong> in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Pont Saint-B\u00e9n\u00e9zet<\/strong>, better known as the Pont d’Avignon, is one of the city’s most emblematic monuments. Built in the 12th century, only part of the bridge remains today: only four of the original twenty-two arches protrude over the Rh\u00f4ne. We found that this truncation gave the bridge a singular allure, suspended between past and present. A small Romanesque chapel, Chapelle Saint-Nicolas<\/strong>, is perched on one of the piers. You can take the bridge to admire views of the river, the ramparts and the Palais des Papes. The combined Palais des Papes + Pont ticket<\/a> is the ideal way to visit both sites.<\/p>\n\n See our tips<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n The Palais des Papes<\/strong> is Avignon’s flagship monument and one of the world’s greatest Gothic palaces. Built in the 14th century, it was the residence of the popes for almost 70 years, during which time the papacy moved from Rome to Provence. The building comprises two distinct parts: the austere and massive Palazzo Vecchio<\/strong>, built under Benedict XII, and the more refined Palazzo Nuovo<\/strong>, built under Clement VI. We were struck by the size of the rooms, particularly the Grande Chapelle<\/strong> and the Salle du Consistoire<\/strong>, with their impressive height under the vault. The frescoes by painter Matteo Giovannetti<\/strong>, partially preserved in the Chapel of Saint-Martial and the Deer Room, bear witness to the splendor of the pontifical court. We recommend an audioguide or a guided tour<\/a> to delve deeper into the history of the site.<\/p>\n\n Perched on the Rocher des Doms, overlooking the Rh\u00f4ne and the Palais des Papes, the Jardins Pontificaux<\/strong> offer one of Avignon’s most breathtaking panoramas. From up here, the view takes in the Pont Saint-B\u00e9n\u00e9zet, the river, Villeneuve-L\u00e8s-Avignon and, on a clear day, the Lub\u00e9ron and Mont Ventoux. We appreciated the peacefulness of this terraced green space, ideal for taking a break between two visits or enjoying the panorama at sunset. The gardens feature shady walkways, ponds and sculptures. They make a pleasant stopover to combine with a visit to the nearby Palais des Papes. You can also book a combined ticket for the Palais des Papes + Jardins Pontificaux.<\/p>\n\n Every year in July, Avignon is transformed into the world’s theater capital for the Festival d’Avignon<\/strong>. Founded in 1947 by Jean Vilar, this event is one of the world’s leading performing arts festivals. The courtyard of the Palais des Papes becomes the main stage for the Festival In<\/strong>, the official selection. At the same time, the Festival Off<\/strong> takes over every corner of the city: streets, schoolyards, chapels and pocket theaters welcome hundreds of companies from all over the world. We were won over by the unique energy that reigns in the city during this period. You’ll find theater, dance, circus and performance shows to suit all budgets. Advance booking is strongly recommended for the most popular shows.<\/p>\n\n Right next to the Palais des Papes, Notre-Dame des Doms Cathedral<\/strong> is one of Avignon’s oldest religious buildings. Founded in the 12th century, it combines Romanesque elements with Gothic additions, testifying to the different phases of its construction. Its bell tower is topped by a large gilded statue of the Virgin Mary, visible from many parts of the town. We were interested in the beauty of the ceilings. Inside, you can see the tomb of Pope John XXII, finely sculpted in the 14th century. The cathedral remains an active place of worship, and we advise you to dress and behave discreetly during your visit.<\/p>\n\n All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in Provence<\/strong> a success, will soon be gathered<\/strong> in a single ebook!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n The Collection Lambert<\/strong> is the leading contemporary art museum in Avignon. Housed in two 18th-century mansions, it brings together works collected by gallery owner Yvon Lambert since the 1960s. The permanent collection includes works by major names in international contemporary art, including Minimalism<\/strong>, Land Art<\/strong>, photography<\/strong> and video<\/strong>. We found the dialogue between the classical architecture of the buildings and the radicalism of some of the works on display particularly successful. Temporary exhibitions regularly complete the program. You can also take advantage of the museum’s specialized bookshop and caf\u00e9, with its pleasant terrace on sunny days.<\/p>\n\n The Mus\u00e9e Angladon<\/strong> is one of Avignon’s most intimate museums. It showcases the collection assembled by couturiers Jacques Doucet and Jean Angladon-Dubrujeaud, two art lovers who crisscrossed Parisian artistic circles in the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection includes a work by Vincent van Gogh<\/strong> – the only one conserved in the PACA region – as well as paintings by Picasso<\/strong>, Modigliani<\/strong>, Degas<\/strong> and C\u00e9zanne<\/strong>. We were struck by the special atmosphere of this museum: the period private apartments have been preserved, giving the visit an almost domestic feel. You’ll stroll through reconstructed rooms that give the impression of being welcomed into a collector’s home.<\/p>\n\n1. Explore the historic center<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Avignon](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Avignon\/n-PS9kD6\/Ville\/i-vkj9k4d\/0\/KdnmzQGp6KtkHCtH3x48Bckknw2G8RK9VF6HXwhBm\/L\/provence-avignon-ville-6-L.jpg\")
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![\"Avignon](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Avignon\/n-PS9kD6\/Ville\/i-2xqBpcR\/0\/KNbNpvNJzSrjwMXk2LrWkzF8cGcdCzjSMg3fnmTB2\/L\/provence-avignon-ville-L.jpg\")
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WHERE TO STAY IN Provence<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Hotel](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Aix-en-Provence\/H%C3%B4tels\/n-zLnqkV\/Autres-h%C3%B4tels\/i-PWv3jGR\/0\/K9mrc6VTMzcxk94wmLrj23C6nwcLX3ZW6cRx3pJjK\/L\/hotel-restaurant-le-pigonnet-aix-en-provence-1-L.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
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![\"Hotel](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Saint-Tropez\/Hotels\/n-BJBJzx\/H%C3%B4tel-le-Pr%C3%A9-de-la-Mer\/i-fWFWc4P\/0\/710f0c9d\/L\/hotel%20pre%20mer%20saint%20tropez-3-L.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n2. Admire the Pont d’Avignon (Pont Saint-B\u00e9n\u00e9zet)<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Pont](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Avignon\/n-PS9kD6\/Ville\/i-hsFBJ6n\/0\/NV6sqTTBSVcTBbktmgnt78QQzRLQQFCFQw9hJ4NJ7\/L\/provence-avignon-pont-2-L.jpg\")
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![\"Pont](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Avignon\/n-PS9kD6\/Ville\/i-w9fWN5K\/0\/KHzLZLNSC2VHTDZfpmRkzMcWRrd3ZdtrGVSkgt42V\/L\/provence-avignon-pont-L.jpg\")
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OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN \nProvence<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/provencelovers.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Vieux-Nice-ruelle-L.png\" "\\"\\"")
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<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n3. Marvel at the Palace of the Popes<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Palais](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Avignon\/n-PS9kD6\/Palais-des-Papes\/i-nsjwRVn\/0\/LTWrn4fzXHD86q3mbh4P5ftkm2JDPj9pkHtx7RXpG\/L\/provence-avignon-palais-papes-L.jpg\")
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![\"Palais](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Avignon\/n-PS9kD6\/Palais-des-Papes\/i-pSBfrb5\/0\/NCTrWSkcGsKLf73hm2CnXZScQtcZG5s83zDScVTdq\/L\/provence-avignon-palais-papes-2-L.jpg\")
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4. Stroll through the Pontifical Gardens<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Pontifical](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Avignon\/n-PS9kD6\/Palais-des-Papes\/i-4BDpFtK\/0\/NRjGX2csxzDK5pK6Xbv3MVmXbDnqpmJPWMJktnQRG\/L\/provence-avignon-palais-papes-jardin3-L.jpg\")
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![\"Pontifical](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Avignon\/n-PS9kD6\/Palais-des-Papes\/i-fSdZRbL\/0\/Kdzjv6FMJGTjtCn9qbcD9Qd9v557Sfp8jscbZsTGK\/L\/provence-avignon-palais-papes-4-L.jpg\")
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5. Attend the Avignon Festival<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Festival](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Avignon\/n-PS9kD6\/Palais-des-Papes\/i-hsMjTpm\/0\/LW7CtWsJdxBqNHrfzr6kmbTCfZwQ8PmFQcfcMBQGc\/L\/provence-avignon-palais-papes-3-L.jpg\")
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Practical advice<\/h3>\n\n
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6. Discover Notre-Dame des Doms Cathedral<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Notre-Dame](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Avignon\/n-PS9kD6\/Cathédrale\/i-QWCz99b\/0\/NWxdWW4Cfk25ZPXvNhk5zDCXz2vD7FfcRgznKCkpC\/L\/provence-avignon-cathedrale-L.jpg\")
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![\"Notre-Dame](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Avignon\/n-PS9kD6\/Cathédrale\/i-TL3mBMV\/0\/NFcwTVj3xcCgbz6mpmzFCGQw8v5tr5Rk9tmqQTJ2x\/L\/provence-avignon-cathedrale-2-L.jpg\")
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A LITTLE MORE patience<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
![\"Box](\"https:\/\/loirelovers.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/ebooks_CorseNormandie_FR.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n7. Explore the Lambert Collection<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Collection](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Avignon\/n-PS9kD6\/Collection-Lambert\/i-jG46gDp\/0\/K9XzLmXB6wNhZ5Kxhv2cw8jVh9LGXrjrKzP49fJcG\/L\/provence-avignon-collection-lambert-L.jpg\")
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![\"Collection](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Avignon\/n-PS9kD6\/Collection-Lambert\/i-sZcLqQL\/0\/KmZgccMgpCqqz4X5qL6TZfTqGPbr22tZzhdQftvTw\/L\/provence-avignon-collection-lambert-2-L.jpg\")
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8. Go to Mus\u00e9e Angladon<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Musée](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Avignon\/n-PS9kD6\/Musée-Angladon\/i-4J9Lh2m\/0\/LZGzZQg4DBgjFFx7mtzxHDStspxM6MXPs4bqVwHSM\/L\/provence-avignon-musee-angladon-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy visit?<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Musée](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Provence-Lovers\/Avignon\/n-PS9kD6\/Musée-Angladon\/i-Nt6jt4b\/0\/Nc8Z5PQcgVMM2KJD4KR63FqN6Q8tQgkTgzFNFtpLT\/L\/provence-avignon-musee-angladon-2-L.jpg\")
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Subscribe to our Newsletter<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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