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Palace of the Popes

Opera Grand

Place de l'Horloge

Saint Bénézet Bridge

Avignon Cathedral

Provence Lavender Fields
Favorite Moment
Check out Guidester’s favorite Avignon experience.
Ancient City of the Popes
Avignon is one of my favorite places in France and should not be missed if you’re looking for a real gem. I was mesmerized by the grandness of the Pope’s Palace, the charm of the small streets, and an almost storybook-like ancient bridge.
Located in the heart of Provence in southern France, Avignon has been recognized the world over for its architectural beauty and historic importance as the center of Christendom for nearly 70 years. The city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995, and was even named the European cultural capital in 2000.
If your situation permits, I would highly recommend getting a car to explore the area. You will be able to visit small villages and historic wineries at your leisure.





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I was in southern France visiting a friend for a month staying in a little village called Saint Mitre Les Remparts, which is just about an hour from Avignon. I had the freedom and flexibility to pop around and visit places at my leisure, and when you stumble onto a place as gorgeous as Avignon having that freedom to stay as long as you want is key. Exploring the medieval city center I felt like a little kid watching A Kid in King Arthur’s Court. It was like stepping back in time to Europe of the Middle Ages and I could almost see the people, horses, and carriages riding through the ancient town. From medieval streets and houses, to private mansions from the Renaissance, to the ancient Pope’s Palace, you will be enchanted from the moment you arrive. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Palais de Papes, or Pope’s Palace, was the residence of seven Popes from 1309 to 1377 and serves as a testament to the wealth and power of Christendom during the Middle Ages. The Palace of the Popes is the biggest Gothic palace in the world with over 15,000 square meters of living space. That is the equivalent to four Gothic cathedrals put together. Visitors have access to the grounds and over twenty rooms in the palace, including the papal apartments and their priceless frescoes. I took my time to soak up each and every room wondering what it would have been like to live during the height of its power and prestige. The grand scale, ornate carvings, and what was left of the wall painting made it easy to take your mind back in time and feel the full experience. What conversations were had in these halls. What kind of men and women lived and worked here. And how did all this shape Europe and the wider world in which we all now live. Every year this grand palace welcomes over half a million visitors and is among the 10 most-visited monuments in France. Beside the Pope’s Palace, one of the other iconic sites of Avignon is the Saint Bénézet Bridge. The ancient bridge was built in the 12th century and destroyed several times in its long history which was finally abandoned in the 17th Century. There also remains a fascinating legend associated with the bridge. As the story goes, in the year 1177 the shepherd Bénézet was instructed by angels to build a bridge over the Rhône River. The town’s founders and citizens mocked the idea. However, Bénézet was endowed with the strength to raise a giant lump of rock, which the townspeople recognized as a sign from God. This was furthered by the fact that the bridge took only eight years to build. Today the bridge remains in partial ruins but you can still walk parts of the once mighty bridge. Besides a historic wonder, Avignon is also known as a center of the arts and culture. The city hosts a huge variety of festivals and events throughout the year, from the popular International Jazz Festival and the Epicurean Festival in the summer to a lovely traditional Christmas market in December. Many people base themselves in Marseilles or Nice or Monaco while visiting southern France, but if you want a different experience that is more centrally located to explore wider Provence I would recommend staying in Avignon instead. This gorgeous little ancient city packs quite a punch!

Jack Baumann
Hi, my name is Jack Baumann, and I have a passion for helping independent travelers unlock the wonders of Europe. I founded Guidester - we build personal mobile guidebooks sourced from local experts - so travelers could cut through the noise and dive deeper into the wonders of Europe. I hope you enjoy my stories and tips!

Jack Baumann
Hi, my name is Jack Baumann, and I have a passion for helping independent travelers unlock the wonders of Europe. I founded Guidester - we build personal mobile guidebooks sourced from local experts - so travelers could cut through the noise and dive deeper into the wonders of Europe. I hope you enjoy my stories and tips!
Play Around
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Wander around Pope's Palace
Explore Rocher des Doms
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Local Tips
Picture perfect views can be found along the river with the city walls and old ruined bridge in the backdrop.
Take time to stroll the small streets and little squares after your sightseeing. Enjoying the scenery and ambiance is half the fun.
Where To Stay
Many travelers visit Avignon as a day trip from one of the larger centers along the coast such as Marseille and Montpellier.
Aix-en-Provence is another gorgeous city in which to base yourself to explore Avignon and the wider region of Provence.
Guidester Favorites

Palais de Papes
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Palais de Papes (Pope's Palace) was the residence of seven Popes from 1309 to 1377. It is the biggest Gothic palace in the world with 15,000 sq. meters of living space - the equivalent of 4 Gothic cathedrals. Visitors can see over 20 rooms in the palace, including the Papal apartments and frescoes, and it’s among the 10 most-visited monuments in France.

Musée du Petit Palais
Discover over 300 Italian paintings from the Campana Collection, acquired by Napoléon III after the collector's financial woes. The collection includes notable works from Italy by Botticelli, Carpaccio, and Bellini. The museum's most famous piece is Botticelli's Virgin and Child painting.

Rocher des Doms Park
A short walk from the Pope's Palace, this headland offers an exceptional panoramic view of Avignon. Consider a leisurely stroll through the gorgeous park on its summit. From the gardens, take in views of the Palais de Papes, Pont Saint-Bénézet, Rhône river as well as the village of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon on the far bank.
Local Eats

Cuisine in Provence
