Avignon | approx 30 min from L’Isle sur la Sorgue

Office de Tourisme:  41, cours Jean Jaures – BP8, 84000 Avignon | 

| Tel. 04 32 74 32 74 | ot-avignon.fr/index-en.html |

Open Monday-Saturday: 9h-18h; Sunday & Bank Holidays: 9h45-17h; 

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Spend a few hours getting wrapped up in this ancient city and chances are you won't want to leave.  The city is too interesting to let you go.  Full of history, life, youth, art, music and activity, just to see the town itself could take you days, wandering through the narrow streets inside the fortified walls.  A UNESCO World Heritage Site, you won't run short of sites and experiences to take in while you're there.  Be sure to take a tour of 14th century Palais de Papes, the world's largest Gothic building, and check out the views from the medieval St.Benezet bridge.  Looking for a bite to eat?  Try Le Mirande.  Sitting at the foot of the Popes’ Palace, behind its fine façade it accommodates a sophisticated décor that evokes an 18th century atmosphere and the sedate style of life belonging to times of old.  The restaurant offers an exceptional gastronomic experience with cuisine that reflects the changing seasons.

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To enrich your experience, take in a few of the fantastic museums in the city, like the Musée Calvet (a small 18th century mansion with classical and modern art, Greek sculpture and a local prehistoric collection), the Musée Lapidaire (with a collection of stone carvings and sculptures that span civilizations, including a “bestiary”), the Musée Louis Vouland (focusing on 18th century French decorative arts), and the Musée Théodore Aubanel (highlighting printing implements and methods, with rare editions and Avignon documents from the 13th – 20th centuries).

 

While the history and modern energy in the city are impressive, throughout France the city is really known for its theatre festival in July, when over 800 performances take place.  Even if your French isn’t quite up to speed, you can enjoy the festival mimes and circus performers (yes, they’re there for the kids, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them too!). 

 

• Le Palais des Papes | 6 rue Pente Rapide | Tel.04 90 27 50 00 | palais-des-papes.com | 

• Le Mirande Restaurant | 4, Place de la Mirande | Tel. 04 90 14  20 20 | la-mirande.fr |

• Musée Calvet | Hôtel Villeneuve-Martignan – 65, rue Joseph Vernet | Tel. 04 90 14 62 45 | www.musee-calvet.org |

• Musée Lapidaire | 65, rue de la République | Tel. 04 90 85 75 38 | www.musee-calvet.org |

• Musée Louis Vouland | 17 rue Victor Hugo | Tel.04 90 86 03 79 | vouland.com |

• Musée Théodore Aubanel | 7, place Saint-Pierre | Tel. 04 90 86 35 02 |

*Note: Open by appointment only.  Call in advance to arrange visit.

• Market Days: Les Halles Market open daily from 7:00am.

Various other markets open throughout the week.

• Shopping: In Avignon you can enjoy a leisurely shopping experience as you wander the pedestrianized streets of the old town. Rue de la République and its surrounding streets make up the shopping district. Rue de la République itself is home to various French chains, while Rue Joseph Vernet is known for its designer boutiques. You can stroll down the Rue de la République to the Place de l’Horloge, across Rue Saint-Agricol, and then circle back around on Rue Joseph Vernet. If you have more time you can also wander the little side streets to the east and west of Rue de la République.