It was the Pont d’Avignon that first turned me on to Avignon, France. I’d seen so much about how atmospheric it was, despite the crowds, and I wanted to see for myself whether it lived up to the hype.
Spoiler: It’s awesome, especially at sunset.
The rest of the town isn’t some slouch, either, especially when you consider the historical significance of this place. This was basically the French Vatican City for a while.
Come for the bridge on your trip to France, but stay for the rest with this guide to one day in Avignon.
Quick Tips for Your Avignon Visit
Your Flight: If you arrive by air, you’ll likely start at Paris Charles de Gaulle and take a high-speed train from there. Use Skyscanner to explore your options. Love those deals? Subscribe to Going.
Your Accommodations: We stayed at an apartment that is no longer available, but you can browse Booking.com or Hotels.com for your options. Vrbo is my Airbnb alternative.
Your Ride: You don’t need a car if you’re just visiting Avignon, but it may be useful if you hit the road after. Book a rental car for your road trip ahead of time.
Top Spots: Tour the Palais des Papes, see the views from Rocher des Doms, and catch a sunset at the Pont d’Avignon.
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One day is enough to see the highlights of Avignon.
You need at least a full day to explore Avignon on your trip to France. That gives you enough time to see the big highlights, like the Palais des Papes and the Pont d’Avignon.
A full weekend will give you more time to relax, including time for lounging in the city’s gardens. Avignon is a nice base for trips to the neighboring wine regions, too.
How to Spend a Day in Avignon
You can spend a day in Avignon like this:
- Tour the Palais des Papes.
- See a gilded Virgin Mary at the Avignon Cathedral.
- Eat lunch at Hygge.
- People watch on the Place d’Horloge.
- See the views from the Rocher des Doms.
- Visit the Pont d’Avignon.
- Sip on wine at Le Vin Devant Soi.
- Finish up with dinner along Rue des Teinturiers.
One Day in Avignon
You have a busy day ahead. Grab some coffee and a snack at a place like Coffeecina and hit the rest of this Avignon itinerary with gusto.
I have some suggestions on the timing of the biggest attractions, as things get special closer to sunset, but prioritize these in a way that makes sense for you.
Stop 1: Palais des Papes
The Palais des Papes is one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic sites in Europe. Constructed in the 14th century, it served as the residence of several popes during the Avignon Papacy, a period when the papal court moved from Rome to Avignon.
The vast fortress-palace symbolized the power of the Catholic Church at the time. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site where you can explore its grand halls and chapels.
Self-guided is the way to go here, as you go at your own pace. They have Histopads available if you’d like to envision what the spaces looked like back in the day.
Tickets are available online. We purchased ours as we visited in the summer, but it’s not always necessary if you’re here on a whim. It will give you the option of combining your ticket with the Pont d’Avignon, though, something I’d highly recommend.
Stop 2: Avignon Cathedral
Avignon Cathedral stands next to the Palais des Papes, so it’s a quick visit before you’re fed. The Romanesque church dates back to the 12th century and was the seat of the bishops of Avignon during the heyday of the Palais des Papes.
If you go inside, you’ll find historic tombs, including that of Pope John XXII, but the exterior is impressive, too. Don’t miss the gilded Virgin Mary atop its bell tower.
Stop 3: Lunch
We wanted something healthy and local after a few days of carb-loading on a French road trip, so we hit up Hygge for lunch on the Place des Carmes.
The menu changes daily based on what’s fresh and seasonal at the time, but we were treated to grilled fish and veggies over rice with generous sides of Greek salad. Apricot tarts rounded things out for dessert.
Fun fact: Hygge is a Danish concept that describes a feeling of cozy contentment. It’s about the simple pleasure, like sharing good food with friends or reading a book under your favorite burrito blanket.
The space inside is cozy, exactly what you’d expect in an eatery named after that concept, but we liked hanging out at their tables out front.
If you want to pack a picnic, another option is picking up supplies at Les Halles d’Avignon. The covered market has been doing its thing since 1899, although I’m sure the goodies offered have changed.
We didn’t make it out to this one, but I’m sure you can make a meal out of the produce, meats, cheeses, and baked items here.
Stop 4: Place d’Horloge
Place de l’Horloge is the main square of Avignon, so it’s unlikely that you’ll miss it just by virtue of walking about town. I’m adding it here in case you’d like to hang out for a bit after your lunch.
At the very least, check out the 14th-century clock tower that it’s named after and the historic Opéra Grand Avignon. In the summer months, expect street performers — just avoid eye contact — and folks enjoying the lively atmosphere.
It’s a nice place for a coffee break if you need one, with some of the best people-watching in Avignon.
Optional Stop 5: Petit Palais Museum
There are a few big-ticket items coming around magic hour, so I’m listing this one as an optional stop. Maybe you lingered a little too hard in the Place d’Horloge.
In any case, the Musée du Petit Palais is a collection of medieval and early Renaissance art beside the Palais des Papes.
It was originally constructed in the early 14th century as the residence of Avignon’s bishops, but underwent several transformations before opening as a museum in 1976. Expect hundreds of pieces from masters like Sandro Botticelli and Vittore Carpaccio.
Stop 6: Rocher des Doms
You can visit the garden and its panoramic views after the Pope’s Palace, or save it for later if you want to experience magic hour. I vote to wait if you’re able.
Rocher des Doms is a peaceful hilltop park overlooking Avignon and the Rhône River, just a short walk from the Palais des Papes.
Note: Historically, this rocky outcrop was the original site of early human settlement in the area.
Today, it includes the Jardin des Doms, a public garden with shady paths, fountains, a small pond, and panoramic views of Avignon and the surrounding countryside. It’s a favorite spot for all to relax, picnic, or enjoy a quiet stroll.
Stop 7: Pont d’Avignon
The Pont d’Avignon, or Pont Saint-Bénézet, isn’t just iconic in Avignon. This is an iconic landmark in France.
Built in the 12th century, the bridge once spanned the Rhône River, connecting Avignon to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.
Fun fact: Legend says it was inspired by a young shepherd, Bénézet, who claimed angels told him to build it.
Though much of the bridge was washed away by floods over the centuries, several arches and the small Chapel of Saint Nicholas remain. On your visit, you can walk along the surviving structure and learn some of its history at the museum.
The views from here are fantastic, which also makes it VERY popular. Expect to share this one with lots of others, no matter when you plan your visit. You can get a combo ticket to see both the Palais des Papes and the bridge.
Stop 8: Apero
We had a little too much on a wine country trip the day before our trip to Avignon, so we didn’t indulge in town. Don’t let me stop you. We had quite a few charming wine bars on our list.
Le Vin Devant Soi is one of those wine dispensers that can get you in trouble if you’re traveling with an unlimited wine tasting budget. Le Carré du Palais is a bistro, but it’s more known for its wine cave and large selection of AOC wines.
Stop 9: Dinner
We followed up our time at the bridge with a gelato stop after having completely overdone it at lunch, but Avignon has lots of options for a delicious meal to end the day.
The picturesque Rue des Teinturiers is a great place to start, with numerous cafés and eateries along the street. Le Chapelier Toqué is a fine dining option. Numero 75 is a Mediterranean option that operates out of a 19th-century property.
With More Time in Avignon
You can only cover so much in a day, which is generally the vibe when you’re traveling throughout France. Here are a few more things to fill out a full weekend in Avignon:
- Explore a variety of art collections and archaeological finds in a former mansion at Musée Calvet.
- Visit the Abbaye Saint-Ruf, an abbey founded in the 12th century with ancient ruins, cloisters, and gardens.
- See more art at the Musée Angladon – Collection Jacques Doucet, a collection that includes art from Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Edgar Degas.
- Take a look at the Basilique Saint-Pierre, a Gothic cathedral dating to 1358 near Place Pie.
- Walk Avignon’s city walls, a series of fortifications with scenic views that encircle the old town.
- Enjoy the green space on Île de la Barthelasse, Europe’s largest river island and a haven for cyclists.
- Take a day trip to Château de Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a medieval castle surrounded by wineries.
- Spend the day in Montpellier, a vibrant town just under an hour and 30 minutes from Avignon by public transit.
READ MORE: Montpellier is definitely worth the day! Check out my favorite reasons why we liked this one.
How to Get to Avignon
To get to Avignon, you’ll likely start in Paris. From there, you can take a short flight to the Avignon-Provence Airport or book a high-speed train.
From Paris Gare de Lyon, the fastest trains get you to Gare d’Avignon TGV in about two hours and 40 minutes. We were traveling from Montpellier, but took the train back to Paris from Avignon’s main train station, and it was easy and affordable, if delayed.
Of course, you can drive yourself south, too. That’ll give you more flexibility to explore Provence on day trips to its lavender fields, too. Road trips as a mode of transport for France travel are a lot of fun, especially if you know how to drive a manual.
Note: Automatic cars are usually available, but may cost more at the rental agency.
Where to Stay in Avignon
The apartment we shared in Avignon appears to be for sale, but you have lots of options for both hotels and boutique stays while you’re here. Browse the map below for your options in Avignon:
Avignon is always worth visiting.
Avignon packs a historical punch, and it’s worth a trip to take a walk through that medieval history alone. Give this one a day, and you can tour iconic sites like the Palais des Papes and the Pont d’Avignon.
I’m sure we’ll be back on visits through this region of France, if only to stroll the city’s panoramic gardens.
Planning more travel in France? Check these out:
- A Guide to Charming Nice When it Rains
- How to Plan Your Trip to Antibes
- A Guide to Le Golf National Near Paris
- Plan a Magical Beach Weekend in Nice
- Check Out My Favorite Versailles Alternative
Here are a few more guides in and around France:
- Should You Plan a Trip Around Lausanne?
- Plan a Road Trip From Nice to Cannes
- A Guide to One Day in Lovely Lille
- Plan Your Next Christmas in Colmar
- A Day Trip to Monaco From Nice, France
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