Avignon is a city of antiquity with a long and rich history. It has a well-preserved old town and some of the most impressive medieval castles you will see in France. However, the true beauty of this city lies in its surroundings.
Located in the southeastern part of France on the left bank of the Rhône River in the area called the Vaucluse, the city not only offers historical value but also provides a perfect base for you to explore some of the most beautiful medieval towns in the region, such as Arles, Villeneuve lès Avignon, and more.
Within this travel guide, you will find all the information you need to plan a perfect trip to Avignon and beyond. Without further ado, here are the eight best things to do in Avignon for solo travelers:
- Avignon Itinerary Map
- Where to Stay in Avignon?
- Quick Summary: Things to do in Avignon
-
8 Best Things to Do in Avignon
- Visit Palais des Papes and Avignon Cathedral
- Learn the history by attending the Palais des Papes Light Show
- Check Out the view from Jardin des Doms
- Visit the Famous Pont Saint-Benezet Bridge
- Explore Villeneuve lès Avignon
- Visit L'Isle sur la Sorgue Market
- Hike around Fontaine de Vaucluse
- Visit Arles and its impressive Amphitheatre
- More Avignon Activities
- France Travel Video
- How to Get to Avignon?
- How to Get Around Avignon?
- What to Pack for Avignon, France?
- Further Reading for France
Avignon Itinerary Map
| ❤️ Must Visit: | Palais des Papes |
| ☀️ Day Trip: | Arles |
| 🌤️ Best time: | May-September |
| 🕓 Time to spend: | 3 - 4 days |
Quick Summary: Things to do in Avignon
- HO36 Avignon (Budget)
- ibis budget Avignon Centre (Mid-Range)
- Hôtel Le Bristol (High-End)
- Chateauneuf du Pape wine tour (7 hours)
- Provence Highlights Full-Day Tour from Avignon (9 hours 30 minutes) 🏅 Top Pick
- Châteauneuf du Pape Wine Day Tasting Tour including Lunch from Avignon (9 hours)
8 Best Things to Do in Avignon
1. Visit Palais des Papes and Avignon Cathedral
One of the most famous landmarks in Avignon and one that you should visit first is Palais des Papes, also known as the "Palace of the Popes". It is one of the most significant Gothic-style palaces in Europe, serving as the residence for several popes during the 14th century when the papal court was moved to Avignon from Rome in 1309.
The palace features a remarkable medieval Gothic architectural style with massive stone walls, grand halls, chapels, and two distinct cone-shaped towers at the entrance that feel more like a fortress than a palace.
Inside, you can explore its grand halls, courtyards, and gardens while learning about the history of the papacy in Avignon at the museum inside. The palace is open from 9 AM to 7 PM every day, and the entrance fee to the palace is 12-14 EUR, depending on whether you want access to Pont Saint-Benezet bridge. You can buy the ticket online here.
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Also, don't forget to check out Avignon Cathedral located right next to the Palais des Papes. The cathedral was built in the 14th century and features a beautiful gilded statue of the Virgin Mary, as well as the tombs of the Avignon Popes inside.
Where to Stay in Avignon?
2. Learn the history by attending the Palais des Papes Light Show
If reading the long and rich history of Avignon is not something you find interesting, you can still learn about the history of the place with a nightly light show (Les Luminessences), which is often held from August to October, right after sunset, in the Palais des Papes' courtyard.
You can relive the past memories of Avignon through the immersive 360° screening that illuminates the medieval walls surrounding the courtyard. The show will transport you back to the early 14th Century when the papal court was relocated here from Rome, and highlight the city's enduring impact on Christianity.
The light show is extremely well done and coordinated and really brings life to the long-forgotten history of this part of Europe. If you are not sure what to do in Avignon at night, be sure to check out the Avignon light show. You can find the latest schedule and booking on their official website.
3. Check Out the view from Jardin des Doms
After you have explored the Palais des Papes, you can make your way to Jardin des Doms Park, a leafy public garden atop a hill, providing a great vantage point over the Rhone River and Villeneuve lès Avignon, just across the river.
The garden is filled with tall trees, fountains, and sculptures, perfect for taking a stroll while enjoying the incredible views from across the river. The best part is, you can access the area for free, provided you visit it during the opening hours of 7:30 AM to 8 PM, which is pretty awesome.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
4. Visit the Famous Pont Saint-Benezet Bridge
With the Palais des Papes' ticket in hand, given that you bought the 14.5 EUR one, you should be able to get access to the Pont Saint-Benezet bridge, one of the most famous landmarks in the city.
The Pont Saint-Benezet Bridge is a medieval bridge built in the 12th century to connect both sides of the river. However, due to numerous challenges over the centuries, including floods and wars, several of its arches were destroyed. As a result, only four arches are still standing to this day.
You can admire the bridge from outside, or you can check out the museum inside, which provides historical context and information about the bridge's construction and history. It's a great way to learn more about Avignon and its rich history. The bridge is open from 9 AM to 7 PM every day.
5. Explore Villeneuve lès Avignon
At the outskirts of Avignon, just across the Rhone river to the north, lies a medieval town called Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, one of the hidden gems of Avignon that few people know about.
There are several tourist attractions you should check out in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon like Chartreuse Notre Dame du Val de Bénédiction, a historic Carthusian monastery dating back to the Middle Ages, Fort Saint-André, a 14th-century fortress, Abbey St. Andrew, a small palace with a beautiful garden, and more.
You can expect to spend around half a day here visiting all the tourist attractions and getting lost in the winding streets of its medieval town. Definitely worth a visit if you love history and want to see more of Avignon.
The town is approximately 3 km away, and you can catch local bus #5 from the bus stop in front of the Post Office, which is just opposite the train station. Get off at the tourist office there. It should take less than 15 minutes.
6. Visit L'Isle sur la Sorgue Market
L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a small town located east of Avignon, around a 30-minute bus ride away. If you happen to be visiting Avignon on a Sunday or Thursday, I highly recommend you go to the town and check out its incredible Sunday market.
Every Sunday and Thursday morning, the canalside streets of Sorgue are transformed into one of the biggest flea markets in France. On both sides of the streets, you will see rows and rows of shops and stalls selling all kinds of goods, from fresh food to a wide selection of cool handcrafted items.
It is one of the liveliest markets I've seen in France and definitely one of the best things to do while you are in Avignon. The market starts at 7 AM and continues until 1:30 PM to 2 PM before it dies down, so be sure to plan your visit carefully.
To get from Avignon to L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, you can either take the bus or the train from Avignon Central Station and you should be there in about 50 minutes by bus or 30 minutes by train. They both run frequently every day and you can book the bus/train ticket here.
7. Hike around Fontaine de Vaucluse
After the morning market in L'Isle sur la Sorgue, you can catch a bus and visit Fontaine de Vaucluse, a small town nestled between the mountains of Vaucluse. It's a perfect place to do some exploration and hiking.
The town got its name from a large natural spring that sourced the Sorgue River, which flows all over the country. Situated at the foot of steep cliffs, surrounded by crystal-clear springwater and lush greenery, Fontaine de Vaucluse is one hell of a picturesque place to visit.
Typical tourists will usually stick to the main road and the fountain area, which is nice. However, if you are willing to do some hiking, you can reach some really nice viewpoints and get away from the crowd.
Château de Philippe de Cabassolle, for example, is a great place to hike to as the ruin is located atop a steep cliff right in the middle of the town. If you look around the corner from the roundabout pictured above, cross the bridge, turn right, follow the road, and on your left, there should be a staircase to take you to the top.
There are other things you can do in Fontaine de Vaucluse, like visiting the Moulin à Papier water mill, the Museum Bibliothèque François Pétrarque, and plenty more that should occupy you for the rest of the day.
To get from L'Isle sur la Sorgue to Fontaine de Vaucluse, you can catch bus #921 from Robert Vasse bus stop and get off at Fontaine Centre bus stop. It should take no more than 15 minutes and cost around 2 EUR. The last bus is at 6 PM, so be sure to get there in time, given you are there in the summer months. Off-season is not recommended as the bus schedule will not work for day trips like what we are doing.
8. Visit Arles and its impressive Amphitheatre
Last but not least, if you have a day to spare in Avignon, you have to visit Arles, a historic city known for its rich history that dates all the way back to Roman times.
Arles was once an important Roman provincial capital known as Arelate, and one of the most important landmarks that you have to check out first is the Roman Arena (Arènes d'Arles), a large amphitheater that could seat over 20,000 spectators. It was built in 90 AD and is still used for events even today.
There are several other Roman heritage sites you can check out in Arles, like the Arles Obelisk, an ancient obelisk dating back to the 1st AD, the Church of St. Trophime, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, and the Alyscamps, a Roman necropolis.
Not to mention, every street in Arles is so picturesque; I just can't get enough of it. The moody, rustic, winding cobblestone streets that crisscross around are exactly how I imagine a historic town in France would be. So be sure to spend some time and get lost in the streets of Arles while you are here.
To get from Avignon to Arles, you can catch the train from Avignon Central Station and you should be there in less than an hour. The train runs rather often but just in case, you can book the train ticket online here.
How to Get to Avignon?
The best way to get here is to fly into hub cities like Paris or Lyon and take a train or a bus from there. I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find all the cheap flights from where you live to France and compare them so that you can find the one that best fits your itinerary.
The train is the easiest way to get to Avignon, since both the normal train and the TGV high-speed train run through the city. If you get on a train that drops you off at the Avignon central station, you should be right at the city center.
If you take the TGV train to TGV Avignon station, it is 2 km away from the city, and you are going to have to take another train/bus to the city center. You can book the train here.
How to Get Around Avignon?
Everything is within walking distance in Avignon if you decide to stay in the city center. If you want to visit one of the many nearby towns like Arles and Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, you can catch a bus or a train from Avignon Central Station to pretty much anywhere in the region, which is very convenient. You can book the train here.
Daily Budget
Traveling here will typically cost you more than visiting most other countries. You can expect to spend around $45 - $65 USD per day per person, including food, accommodation, and transportation.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Avignon, France?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Avignon, France:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
- Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
- Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
- Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
That is it for the 8 Incredible Things to Do in Avignon for Solo Travelers. Have we missed anything? Have you found the guide useful? Let us know in the comments below!
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to plan your trip to Avignon, France! Here are some resources to help you get your trip going:
Are you planning to travel to Avignon, France independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for France
I hope you found this guide helpful in your trip planning. If you want to read more about France, I have written a few more travel guides, all listed here:
- Looking for a complete travel guide to France? Check out my 2 Weeks in France.
- Are you traveling to France as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
- Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
- Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
- Paris is one of the most popular destinations in Europe and one of the most overcrowded cities as well, but it doesn't have to be. Here are the 10 Hipster Things to Do in Paris.
- Bordeaux is a city known for its wine, laid-back vibe, and beautiful architecture. Here's a 8 Best Things to Do in Bordeaux.
- Looking to go hike in the French Alps? Do not go without seeing this guide: The Ultimate Day Hiking Guide to the French Alps.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- You can also watch my France travel video here: "Dear France" travel video.
- To see all articles about France, visit France Travel Guide page.
- Looking for a place to go after France? How about Spain, Germany, or Switzerland? Visit our Spain travel guide page, Germany travel guide page, and Switzerland travel guide page for more.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Western Europe Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.