Avignon in 3 Days: everything you need to know

Avignon is one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in France, but three days are enough to enjoy it and its surroundings at your leisure. My advice is to spend the first two days exploring the city and leave one of the many interesting excursions you can choose from for the third day.

The first day in Avignon should be devoted to visiting its great architectural jewels, those for which the city is a World Heritage Site and some others which are also part of its essence. A visit to the Palace of the Popes, the Episcopal complex, the city walls and the famous bridge alone will take up a good part of the day.

But there will also be time for relaxation, as Avignon has idyllic gardens and green areas. They are perfect for resting and recharging your batteries because there is still a lot to visit in the city. This is my suggestion for your first day.

Saint Bénézet Bridge

The day begins at the Saint Bénézet Bridge, one of the symbols of the city. It was built in the 12th century and at the time it was an incredible work of engineering. You won't be able to see it today, but it was 900 metres long and had 22 arches.

Time, neglect and the floods of the river almost destroyed the bridge. In fact, only four of these arches remain. But they are enough for you to imagine the magnitude and beauty of this infrastructure in its years of splendour.

And, in case you're wondering, yes, this is the bridge that inspired the song Sur Le Pont d'Avignon, which I'm sure you've heard before. All the more reason to buy tickets for the Pont d'Avignon, which also includes the Papal Palace.

Palace of the Popes

From the bridge, across the walls, you will reach the largest Gothic palace in the world. It was built in just 20 years and is one of the most visited monuments in France. It is therefore worth spending a good part of the morning touring the impressive rooms of the Palace of the Popes.

The chapels, the papal flats and the terraces are all impressive. But the visit will not only reveal a magnificent building. You will also learn why there were nine popes who did not have their seat in Rome. My advice: buy your tickets to visit the Palace of the Popes in advance to avoid waiting.

Notre-Dame des Doms

It stands next to the Palais des Papes and is the only building in Avignon that dares to overshadow it: it is the basilica of Notre Dame des Doms. Although it may not look like it when you look at it, construction work began in the 12th century. The building you will see is the result of countless modifications.

Before entering, look up and see the impressive figure of the Virgin that crowns its bell tower. It is made of gilded lead and measures six metres. Once inside, admire the Gothic mausoleum of Pope John XXII, the choir or the Resurrection chapel, they are magnificent.

A fantastic option to not miss anything is to book the tour of Avignon with a guided visit to the Papal Palace.

Jardin des Doms

Next to the Notre-Dame des Doms a small oasis awaits you. The Jardin des Doms is in the highest part of Avignon, where the city was born. Today it is a charming park. But if it is worth a visit, it is not only for this reason, but also because from here you will have a magnificent view of Avignon.

A stop to sample the gastronomy of Avignon

In France you eat early, between 12:00 and 13:00. In the area around the Palais des Papes you will find a number of places to recharge your batteries. Arlequin, La Cuisine de Papa or La Sou'pape if you want a quick bite to eat are some options.

What can you eat? Bouillabaisse is a very typical soup, as is ratatouille. And if we're talking about sweets, try the papalines d'Avignon, which are curious pink chocolates with a dark chocolate heart.

The wall of Avignon

To make the most of the afternoon, my advice is to explore one of the city's great treasures. Back in Roman times, a wall surrounded Avignon. But the one you are about to see is much later, dating from medieval times.

The . is just over 4 kilometres long and embraces the old town. But its function was not only to protect it from enemies, but also from the floods of the Rhône, the same floods that swept away the Saint Bénézet bridge.

If it's a nice day and you feel like walking, you can take a leisurely stroll around it and discover its 7 main gates and its 39 towers (36 square and 3 circular). Otherwise, just admire it from the riverbank.

And don't forget that by booking a tour of Avignon you will pass through the ramparts and enjoy the wonderful views.

The island of Barthelasse

From the part of the ramparts overlooking the river, I suggest you cross the river and take a walk around the Ile de la Barthelasse. It's not just any island, it's the largest river island in Europe and a great place to get the best views of the city, with its famous bridge in the foreground.

If you still have the energy left, rent a bike and cycle around it. It's one of the best excursions in Avignon. If not, just go for a ride. By the way, you can get there by crossing the Daladier bridge, which is not far from the Palais des Papes. You can also take the river ferry, it's free.

Avignon by night

Back in the city, and to end the day, I recommend you take a short walk through the city centre to see it illuminated. Incidentally, you can have dinner in one of the bars with a terrace if the weather is warm enough. And if you just want to have a drink, La Place Pie, in the heart of the city centre, is the perfect place.

The second day in Avignon will be devoted to strolling through the historic centre. For the afternoon, I will give you two alternatives: visit one of the city's museums or take a boat trip on the Rhône.

Place de l'Horloge

This always lively square is the heart of Avignon and a perfect place to start your second day in the city. It sits on top of the old Roman forum and is full of bars and terraces. You will also be able to admire two magnificent buildings: the Town Hall and the 19th century Grand Opera of Avignon.

But why is it called Place de l'Horloge or Clock Square and not something else? If you look at the Town Hall, an ancient bell tower juts out from it. Its clock, on which you will see two enormous figures, is what gives its name to the Place de l'Horloge.

Saint Peter's Basilica

Following Rue Favart, you will soon reach Saint Peter's Basilica. It is a beautiful Gothic church built in the 14th century.

Don't miss the details of the façade, such as its two towers or its monumental doors, which are full of details. Inside you can admire six beautiful chapels and a fantastic wooden altarpiece.

Les Halles market

From the basilica, you only have to cross the long Place Jérusalem to reach the Les Halles Market. It is unmistakable because of the vertical garden that covers its façade. But the best part is inside.

The market is home to around 40 shops where you can find some of the typical delicacies of Provence, including cured meats, cheese, preserves, sweets and, of course, wines.

Rue des Teinturiers

From the market I recommend a leisurely stroll through the centre of Avignon, following the Rue de la Bonneterie until you reach the Rue des Teinturiers, or dyers' street. It is one of the most beautiful streets in Avignon.

The street follows an old canal where mill wheels are still preserved. It was here that the looms for weaving cloth and silk were located and where the dyers painted and washed them. In fact, this was one of the most flourishing businesses in Avignon in the 18th century.

A lunch break

If you want a quick bite to eat before continuing your visit, my advice is to head back to Les Halles Market. If you prefer something quieter, head back to the Place de l'Horloge. There you'll find a number of restaurants where you can feast and then continue to discover the treasures of Avignon.

From here, I suggest two different plans for the afternoon. Choosing one or the other will depend on your interests or simply on what you feel like doing at the time.

First choice for the afternoon: museums in Avignon

If you like art, there are a number of museums in Avignon that might interest you. The first option I offer you to finish the day is to visit one of them. Here is a short list of the most outstanding ones:

• Petit Palais Museum: it is next to the Palace of the Popes, in the former archbishop's residence. It exhibits a large collection of works, especially by Italian masters of the Renaissance and the Avignon School. Admission is free.
• Lambert Collection: if you prefer contemporary art, don't miss this museum. It exhibits a good number of works from the mid-20th century onwards, owned by the art dealer Yvon Lambert. General admission costs around €10.
• Calvet Museum: This is the Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology. Here you will see paintings and sculptures from different periods, furniture, tapestries, historical pieces and a collection of Egyptian coins, among other treasures. The visit is free of charge.
• Musée Angladon: houses the Jacques Doucet Collection. Here you can admire works by Degas, Manet, Picasso, Cèzanne and Van Gogh, among other artists. General admission costs about 8 euros.
• Louis Vouland Museum: it is an old noble mansion converted into a museum of decorative arts. General admission is about 6 euros.

Second option for the afternoon: cruise on the Rhône river

If you prefer to spend the afternoon in a different way, for example if you are travelling with children, one of the most entertaining activities to do in Avignon is to get on a small boat and take a cruise on the Rhone. From the waters of the river you will have a completely different view of the city and its major architectural treasures.

You can also go down to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. It is a medieval town that you will love. Don't miss a visit to Fort-Saint André. Then you can embark again to return to Avignon.

Cultural events

If you feel like it, a great way to round off your second day in the city is to enjoy a cultural event. Avignon' s calendar is usually packed with shows of all kinds, especially theatrical ones.

Avignon is just a stone's throw from Avignon and there are plenty of wonderful places to visit. So my advice is to set aside the last day to discover some of them. You can choose between full-day excursions from Avignon or combine two half-day trips. It all depends on what you want to see, and there is plenty to choose from.

Excursion to the heart of Provence

Booking a tour of Provence from Avignon will allow you to visit some of the treasures of this beautiful French region. You will see charming villages such as Roussillon or Gordes. Tours often include the iconic abbey of Notre-Dame de Sénanque and Sault, known as the capital of lavender. You can also choose from different tours of Provence from Bordeaux.

Tour of the Roman sites

Remains of the Roman past in Provence are plentiful and by booking a tour of Roman Provence from Avignon you can visit some of the most interesting sites.

Tours include a visit to Nîmes, with its fantastic amphitheatre, or the Maison Carée, an ancient Roman temple which is still intact.

Roman site tours from Avignon often include a visit to the Pont du Gard, an impressive aqueduct with 2,000 years of history, and the Roman theatre in Orange.

Rhône Valley wine tour

The Rhône Valley is known, among other things, for the quality of the wines produced there. If you like the world of oenology, this is an excursion you won't forget. The tours usually take place in the town of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

On the wine tour of Chateauneuf-du-Pape you will travel through immense vineyards to learn all about the region's wines from an expert. You will also visit a winery and take part in wine tastings.

Excursion to discover Van Gogh's traces in Provence

Vincent Van Gogh spent a long time in Provence. He lived in Arles, where he painted around 300 of his works. He also spent time in a psychiatric hospital in St-Rémy de Provence.

Booking a Van Gogh tour from Avignon is an activity not to be missed if you are an art lover. Van Gogh walking tours in Provence will give you an insight into some of the most interesting episodes of the painter's life.

Excursion in the Luberon

The Luberon massif is a mountainous territory that hides spectacular landscapes and some of the most beautiful villages in France. They are medieval villages with an authentic flavour that you will love, such as Gordes, Vaucluse or Roussillon.

Other alternative excursions

Avignon has a privileged location. So, depending on your interests and preferences, you can also use this third day to visit other places of great interest.

Booking an excursion to Saint Rémy, Pont du Gard and Les Baux for a 5-hour excursion where you can delve into the history of this corner of France with an expert guide is an excellent way to round off your trip.