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Destination Guide - Avignon.
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OverviewFlights from London City LCY to Avignon AVN with CityJet.
Our top five sightsPalais des PapesOutwardly, the Popes’ palace is a powerful fortress, built on a giant scale. Inside are grandiose, impressively frescoed rooms. Place du Palais, 04 3274 3274 Pont St BénezetThis picturesque remnant of the medieval Pont d'Avignon, adorned with an exquisite chapel, reaches straight from the ramparts into the river. Boulevard Rhône, 04 9027 5107 Musée CalvetOutstanding fine art and decorative crafts spanning 500 years, and archaeology collections, all attractively displayed inside an 18th-century mansion. 65 rue Joseph Vernet, 04 9086 3384 Rocher des DomsA steep climb through this shaded park, site of the original Avignon, gives views far across the Provence countryside.off place du Palais Musée AngladonGreat names of early modern art (especially Degas) imaginatively displayed in a grand 18th-century mansion. Some rooms have been preserved in period style.5 rue Laboureur, 04 9082 2903 Our top five activitiesWine-tastingTravel on your own or join a guided tasting tour (ask at the tourist office) to big-name Côte du Rhône wine villages. One of the nearest is the great Châteauneuf du Pape. GolfingVisitors are welcome to pay a one-day green fee to enjoy top-quality 9- and 18-hole golf at the agreeable Garden Golf club on the edge of the city (near Montfavet). 1596 route de Châteaublanc, 04 9033 3908 Horse-ridingEnjoy horse-riding on the big river island, Ile de la Barthelasse, just minutes from the city centre. Avignon Riding Centre offers afternoon courses on Wednesday and Saturday. Chemin du Mont Blanc, 04 9085 8348 CanoeingSee the Rocher des Doms from below and pass beneath the Pont d’Avignon on a thrilling kayaking outing on the Rhône River. The starting point is Barthelasse Island. Cookery coursesSome Avignon chefs share their secrets, giving short courses on Provençal cuisine. On summer Saturdays, informal cookery lessons take place in the bustling covered market (Place Pie). Our top five eventsJanuary: Cheval PassionThe annual equestrian festival at Avignon Exhibition Park offers elegant riding shows and competition, along with information and sales displays dealing with every aspect of riding and horses. February/March: Les Hivernales d'AvignonA winter week devoted to latest developments in contemporary dance, with performances (and classes, too) at venues all over around the city. July: Festival d'AvignonThe long-established Avignon Festival (and also its newer fringe, Festival Off) is France’s exuberant, world-leading showcase of theatre, dance, music and other performance arts. Book well ahead for the top shows. July-August: Avignon Jazz FestivalAlso known as Tremplin Jazz Festival, the enjoyable week-long jazz-festival has an exuberant mix of styles, with both big names and newcomers on the stage. September-October: Avignon Blues FestivalExpect some well-known international performers on the bill of this popular annual event. Despite the name, it ventures into other music genres, including country rock.
ShoppingRue de la République, the Old Town’s busy main street, is the place to find fashion chains, Monoprix and FNAC department stores and many tempting gourmet food shops. There are classy little boutiques on the side turnings, especially Rue Joseph-Vernet and Rue St Agricol. Les Halles, the city’s traditional indoor produce market, is open daily (except Sunday) on Place Pie. Outside, it has a spectacular green ‘living wall’. Inside, discerning locals pick and choose the best of regional food and wine at dozens of stalls. At weekends, colourful street markets spring up at Rempart St Michel and place des Carmes. Food & DrinkAvignon’s local cuisine is richly favoured with garlic, oil and fresh Provençal herbs like thyme and rosemary. Succulent meat and fish stews are popular, with plenty of local vegetables, among them green peppers, aubergines, courgettes and large, juicy tomatoes. Try savoury fougasse bread, sweet candied fruits and ‘Papalines d'Avignon’ liqueur chocolates. La Mirande (4 place de l’Amirande, 04 9014 2020) and Christian Etienne (10 rue de Mons, 04 9086 1650) are two of Avignon’s clutch of gastronomic restaurants known for skilful and imaginative Provençal haute cuisine, both in luxurious historic settings close to the Papal Palace. NightlifeLate-night bars and clubs are mainly around the busy city-centre squares and the Old Town’s eastern side. There’s also a full programme of opera, ballet, drama and classical concerts in atmospheric historical venues. Pub Z (58 rue de la Bonneterie, 04 9085 4284) plays a wide range of music until 1.30am. Club Les Ambassadeurs (27 rue Bancasse, 04 9086 3155) offers a stylish alternative. AJMI Jazz Club (4 rue escalier Sainte Anne, 04 9086 0861) hosts live modern jazz. Opéra d'Avignon (place de l'Horloge, 04 9082 8140) is the elegant 19th-century theatre. Accommodation in AvignonAvignon has a huge range of accommodation across all budgets. It’s slightly pricier within the walled Old Town, but this is where you’ll find the city’s sights, attractions and entertainment. Central avenue Rue de la République, leading to main square Place de l’Horloge, are the heart of things. Avignon’s legendary luxury hotel is the elegant, palatial Hotel d'Europe (12 place Crillon, 04 9014 7676), in the top spot for more than a century. For comfort at a good price, try the ideally located Hotel de l'Horloge (Place de l’Horloge, 04 9016 4200), overlooking the vibrant square. Our favourites
Flights from London City LCY to Avignon AVN with CityJet. Avignon Airport is 10km southeast of the city centre on highway N7. There’s a shuttle bus into town, or taxis waiting. If there’s no cab, Radio Taxis Avignon (04 9082 2020) are always on call; the 10-minute taxi journey costs about 22€ (day) or 30€ (night). Avignon Airport Information
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