Visit Avignon for the Pope"s Palace, and more top attractions
Why visit Avignon?
If you want a real immersion into the life of southern France, Avignon makes a number one choice. This magnificent city has it all, starting with an extraordinary history when Avignon took over from Rome in the 14th century as the capital of the Catholic Church. The French Popes who had to defend themselves and impress the world built a formidable fortress and palace inside the surrounding ramparts for their century-long papal city.
Today the Avignon Festival in July is one of the best internationally known festivals of music, theatre, performance and the arts.
Fast Facts about Avignon
Region: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Department: Vaucluse
Designated French City of Art and Culture
Population: 91,250
Tourist Office
41 cours Jean-Jaures
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 32 74 32 74
Website
Getting to Avignon
Avignon is easy to get to. The train from Paris takes just 2 hrs 54 mins from Paris.
Traveling from London couldn’t be easier. There is now a direct train from London St Pancras with no changes, stopping first at Lyon, then Avignon before continuing on to Marseille.
More information on travelling from London, the UK and Paris to Avignon by air, train, car and bus.
Use Avignon as a Base
Avignon is close to wonderful destinations including Arles, Aix-en-Provence, Nimes and Orange. It makes a great base for visits to Languedoc and to Provence.
A Little History of Avignon
Avignon's beginnings
Avignon had one immense advantage over its neighbors; it stands at the crossroads of the major trade routes between north and south Europe, as well as between Italy and Spain. It started as a Phoenician trading post, then became a Roman town, like so many other cities in this part of France.
Subsequent centuries saw invasions by the Moors, then the Francs; Avignon was always a popular and vital center for trade.
In the 11th and 12th centuries, Avignon became a small city state. At first prosperous, their support of the Albigensian heretics (the branch of the Cathars based in Albi), brought royal reprisals and in 1226 Louis VIII took over the town and destroyed its defences.
The Popes arrive in Avignon
Avignon's major boost came in 1309 when King Philippe le Bel invited Clement V, the then French Pope of the Catholic church, to come to Avignon ostensibly to escape the growing unrest in Rome. French influence over the Catholic church increased with the next Pope, Jean XXII, formerly bishop of Avignon. He was followed by Benedict XII who built the fortress now known as the Vieux Palais. All in all, seven French popes succeeded each other at Avignon. But in 1378 a new Italian Pope Urban VI was elected, whereupon the French got uppity and chose a rival, naturally French, Pope. It was not an easy time; the Great Schism between Rome and Avignon, as it was known, divided the catholic world until 1417 when Pope Martin V was established in Rome.
At this point Avignon became just another French city, though ruled by a papal legate and a vice-legate. It wasn’t until the French Revolution that Avignon rejected the pontifical state and became part of France.
Top Attractions in Avignon
The major attraction is the immense Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) that you can see from miles away. The home of the Popes in the 14th century, it’s both fortress and palace.
Don’t miss the famous Pont d’Avignon that goes half way across the river Rhône, the markets, and top museums from the Musée Calvet to the modern collections at the Musée Angladon with paintings from the likes of Sisley, Cézanne and Picasso.
For many other places to visit, check out the Top Attractions and Things to Do in Avignon
Hôtel Cloître St-Louis
20 rue Portail Boquier
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 90 27 55 55
Website
This grand 4-star hotel with 80 rooms located in 16th-century cloisters is the place to stay. With some rooms designed by the architect Jean Nouvel, there’s plenty of glass and steel to go with the historic décor. There’s a pool and solarium on the roof and a good restaurant. Check out the special deals online.
Hôtel d’Europe
12 Place Crillon
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 90 14 76 76
Website
The 16th-century mansion on a lovely square of Avignon was a family mansion until turned into a hotel in 1799.
It’s well worth the expense for its décor, tapestries and good restaurant and bar.
Boquier
6 rue du Portail Boquier
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 90 82 34 43
Website
Welcoming small hotel in an 18th-century house in central Avignon. Rooms are prettily decorated and good value.
Colbert
7 rue Agricol Perdiguier
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 90 86 20 20
Website
Try this small hotel at the south end of town for its good value, friendly welcome and bright rooms. Doubles from €80.
Chez Ginette & Marcel
27 place des Corps-Saints
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 90 85 58 70
This small central bistro is rightly popular for its sandwiches, salads and afternoon teas.
Le Caveau du Théâtre
16 rue des Trois Faucons
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 90 82 60 91
Website
This jolly bistro has great and odd art on the walls, and tables on the pavement for summer dining from fresh seasonal ingredients. Menus from €11.50 (lunch), and from €23 (dinner).
La Cour du Louvre
23 rue Saint Agricol
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 90 27 12 66
Website
An outside courtyard, a quiet street and an excellent choice of dishes using local fresh ingredients at this Avignon favorite.
Le Jardin de la Tour
9 rue de la Tour
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 90 85 66 50
Website
Another of those excellent small restaurants that swing along to their own pace. Colourful décor, local Provencal dishes and menus that run from €16 (lunch) and from €39 (dinner). They also provide good ready-made dishes to take away.
Also try the restaurants in the two hotels I recommend: the Hôtel d’Europe, and the Hôtel Cloître St-Louisin a 16th century cloister.
If you want a real immersion into the life of southern France, Avignon makes a number one choice. This magnificent city has it all, starting with an extraordinary history when Avignon took over from Rome in the 14th century as the capital of the Catholic Church. The French Popes who had to defend themselves and impress the world built a formidable fortress and palace inside the surrounding ramparts for their century-long papal city.
Today the Avignon Festival in July is one of the best internationally known festivals of music, theatre, performance and the arts.
Fast Facts about Avignon
Region: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Department: Vaucluse
Designated French City of Art and Culture
Population: 91,250
Tourist Office
41 cours Jean-Jaures
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 32 74 32 74
Website
Getting to Avignon
Avignon is easy to get to. The train from Paris takes just 2 hrs 54 mins from Paris.
Traveling from London couldn’t be easier. There is now a direct train from London St Pancras with no changes, stopping first at Lyon, then Avignon before continuing on to Marseille.
More information on travelling from London, the UK and Paris to Avignon by air, train, car and bus.
Use Avignon as a Base
Avignon is close to wonderful destinations including Arles, Aix-en-Provence, Nimes and Orange. It makes a great base for visits to Languedoc and to Provence.
A Little History of Avignon
Avignon's beginnings
Avignon had one immense advantage over its neighbors; it stands at the crossroads of the major trade routes between north and south Europe, as well as between Italy and Spain. It started as a Phoenician trading post, then became a Roman town, like so many other cities in this part of France.
Subsequent centuries saw invasions by the Moors, then the Francs; Avignon was always a popular and vital center for trade.
In the 11th and 12th centuries, Avignon became a small city state. At first prosperous, their support of the Albigensian heretics (the branch of the Cathars based in Albi), brought royal reprisals and in 1226 Louis VIII took over the town and destroyed its defences.
The Popes arrive in Avignon
Avignon's major boost came in 1309 when King Philippe le Bel invited Clement V, the then French Pope of the Catholic church, to come to Avignon ostensibly to escape the growing unrest in Rome. French influence over the Catholic church increased with the next Pope, Jean XXII, formerly bishop of Avignon. He was followed by Benedict XII who built the fortress now known as the Vieux Palais. All in all, seven French popes succeeded each other at Avignon. But in 1378 a new Italian Pope Urban VI was elected, whereupon the French got uppity and chose a rival, naturally French, Pope. It was not an easy time; the Great Schism between Rome and Avignon, as it was known, divided the catholic world until 1417 when Pope Martin V was established in Rome.
At this point Avignon became just another French city, though ruled by a papal legate and a vice-legate. It wasn’t until the French Revolution that Avignon rejected the pontifical state and became part of France.
Top Attractions in Avignon
The major attraction is the immense Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) that you can see from miles away. The home of the Popes in the 14th century, it’s both fortress and palace.
Don’t miss the famous Pont d’Avignon that goes half way across the river Rhône, the markets, and top museums from the Musée Calvet to the modern collections at the Musée Angladon with paintings from the likes of Sisley, Cézanne and Picasso.
For many other places to visit, check out the Top Attractions and Things to Do in Avignon
Hôtel Cloître St-Louis
20 rue Portail Boquier
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 90 27 55 55
Website
This grand 4-star hotel with 80 rooms located in 16th-century cloisters is the place to stay. With some rooms designed by the architect Jean Nouvel, there’s plenty of glass and steel to go with the historic décor. There’s a pool and solarium on the roof and a good restaurant. Check out the special deals online.
Hôtel d’Europe
12 Place Crillon
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 90 14 76 76
Website
The 16th-century mansion on a lovely square of Avignon was a family mansion until turned into a hotel in 1799.
It’s well worth the expense for its décor, tapestries and good restaurant and bar.
Boquier
6 rue du Portail Boquier
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 90 82 34 43
Website
Welcoming small hotel in an 18th-century house in central Avignon. Rooms are prettily decorated and good value.
Colbert
7 rue Agricol Perdiguier
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 90 86 20 20
Website
Try this small hotel at the south end of town for its good value, friendly welcome and bright rooms. Doubles from €80.
Chez Ginette & Marcel
27 place des Corps-Saints
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 90 85 58 70
This small central bistro is rightly popular for its sandwiches, salads and afternoon teas.
Le Caveau du Théâtre
16 rue des Trois Faucons
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 90 82 60 91
Website
This jolly bistro has great and odd art on the walls, and tables on the pavement for summer dining from fresh seasonal ingredients. Menus from €11.50 (lunch), and from €23 (dinner).
La Cour du Louvre
23 rue Saint Agricol
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 90 27 12 66
Website
An outside courtyard, a quiet street and an excellent choice of dishes using local fresh ingredients at this Avignon favorite.
Le Jardin de la Tour
9 rue de la Tour
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 90 85 66 50
Website
Another of those excellent small restaurants that swing along to their own pace. Colourful décor, local Provencal dishes and menus that run from €16 (lunch) and from €39 (dinner). They also provide good ready-made dishes to take away.
Also try the restaurants in the two hotels I recommend: the Hôtel d’Europe, and the Hôtel Cloître St-Louisin a 16th century cloister.
