Avignon
A walled city on the Rhône, known for a fourteenth-century papal palace and a bridge that stops mid-river.
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Avignon is a walled city in Provence, in southeastern France, on the left bank of the Rhône. Popes lived in the Palais des Papes here in the fourteenth century, and the palace still stands in the old town. The historic center is small enough to walk, and the medieval ramparts run around it. Out on the river, the Pont Saint-Bénézet is broken and stops partway across.
Most visitors base themselves here by train. The TGV station links Avignon to Paris, and regional trains reach Arles and Nîmes in under an hour. Pont du Gard is a common day trip from Nîmes by bus or car. July brings the Festival d'Avignon, a theater festival that fills the town with crowds, so book beds early. Spring and autumn are the easiest seasons for walking. Plan two days in town and a third for a day trip.
Avignon in five
- Choose the right stationAvignon TGV sits about 6 km from the center, and a short TER ride links it to Avignon Centre by the walls. The TGV from Paris takes about 2 hours 40.Getting around France
- Pick your base before JulyThe Festival d'Avignon fills rooms for much of July, and prices follow. Compare areas, then reserve as soon as the program and dates are out.Where to stay in Avignon
- Book the Palais des Papes onlineAdult tickets are 16 euros, or 19.50 with the Pont Saint-Bénézet; the palace opens 9am to 7pm from March to early November. Online booking is recommended, not required.Avignon in 2 days
- Use regional trains for Arles and NîmesRegional trains reach Arles and Nîmes in about 20–30 minutes and Orange in a similar time. Save a rental car for the Luberon, Pont du Gard and wine villages.Avignon day trips
- Go to Les Halles in the morningThe covered market sells produce, cheese and ready lunches, and stalls close by early afternoon. Check its open days before you plan a market breakfast.Provence travel guide
Things to do in Avignon
See all attractions in Avignon
Need to know
- Airport
- Marseille Provence (MRS), about 1–1.5 hr by coach or train
- Getting there
- TGV from Paris in about 2 hr 40 to Avignon TGV, then a short TER
- Getting around
- Walkable inside the ramparts; regional trains for day trips
- Best base
- Inside the ramparts near the Palais des Papes
- Time needed
- 1–2 days; 3 with Pont du Gard and the Luberon
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°Mild, mistralJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, mistral
- FebruaryClear6 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Quiet, coolFebruaryClear
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cool
- MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Spring startsMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring starts
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Terraces openAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Terraces open
- MayClear10 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Warm, greenMayClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- JuneClear8 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Lavender startsJuneClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Lavender starts
- JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh33°Low20°Festival, hotJulyClear
Good
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Festival, hot
- AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh33°Low20°Very hotAugustClear
Good
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°Warm, calmerSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calmer
- OctoberClear9 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Mild, colorOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 125 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, color
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Cool, quietNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Christmas lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Christmas lights
Average daily high and low in Avignon, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jul Festival d'Avignon, Chorégies d'Orange · Aug Chorégies d'Orange
Right now in Avignon
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 61%
- Wind
- 31 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Avignon
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today13°6°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 13°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue15°6°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed11°8°53%Wednesday: Rain. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Thu14°8°60%Thursday: Rain. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Fri12°8°63%Friday: Rain. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Sat14°5°16%Saturday: Fog. High 14°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sun15°10°47%Sunday: Rain. High 15°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 47%.
Updated 06:02 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–JulAix-en-Provence FestivalAix-en-Provence, a day trip
- JulFestival d'AvignonAvignon
- Jul–AugChorégies d'OrangeAvignon
Before you go to Avignon
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Rules for Avignon, checked
- Palais des Papes: 16 euros, or 19.50 with the Pont Saint-Bénézet. Open 9am to 7pm from 1 March to 1 November; last entry one hour before closing.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Avignon FAQ
How many days do you need in Avignon?
Two days cover the Palais des Papes, the ramparts and a market. One day is a rush but works as a stop on a rail loop. Three days adds Arles, Nîmes or the Luberon.
Is Avignon worth visiting?
Yes for the palace, the old town and the rail links to Arles and Nîmes. It is very hot in July and August, so spring and autumn suit walking.
Where should you stay in Avignon?
Inside the ramparts for a first trip, or near the station for early trains. A bike-friendly island stay suits drivers. Compare areas before festival dates.
Can you visit Avignon as a day trip from Aix or Marseille?
Yes. TGV and regional trains link the cities in 30 to 60 minutes. A day gives you the palace and the old town, though an evening return is tight.
Do you need a car in Avignon?
Not in town. Trains cover Arles and Nîmes. A car helps for the Luberon, Pont du Gard and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but a tour does the same without parking.