Avignon is a city in southeastern France, located on the banks of the Rhône River. Its history dates back to the Neolithic period, and it has been inhabited by the Celts, the Romans, the Visigoths, and the Franks.
In the 14th century, Avignon became the seat of the papacy for almost 70 years. This period, known as the Avignon Papacy, began when Pope Clement V, a Frenchman, refused to move to Rome after his election in 1305, citing the political instability in Italy. He established his papal court in Avignon, which was then part of the Holy Roman Empire but was ruled by the French king.
Seven popes followed Clement V, and during their reigns, they transformed Avignon into a major cultural and religious center. They built the magnificent Palais des Papes, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and commissioned works of art from renowned artists such as Simone Martini and Matteo Giovanetti.
The Avignon Papacy ended in 1377 when Pope Gregory XI returned to Rome, but the city remained under papal control until the French Revolution. During this time, Avignon was a prosperous city with a thriving silk industry and a vibrant cultural scene.
After the Revolution, Avignon became part of France, and it continued to grow and develop. It is a famous tourist destination, known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant arts and culture scene.
19 fun and best things to do in Avignon.
- Visit the Palace of the Popes – The Palace of the Popes is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the top attractions in Avignon. The massive palace was the residence of several popes in the 14th century, and it’s an impressive example of medieval architecture.
- Stroll through the historic center – Avignon’s old town is full of charming streets and squares, with plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops to explore.
- Check out the Avignon Bridge – The Pont Saint-Bénézet, also known as the Avignon Bridge, is another UNESCO World Heritage site in Avignon. It’s a famous medieval bridge that was partially destroyed in the 17th century, but you can still see part of it today.
- Explore the Avignon Cathedral – The Cathedral of Notre-Dame des Doms is a beautiful Romanesque-Gothic cathedral with stunning views of the city from its terrace.
- Visit the Calvet Museum – The Calvet Museum is an art museum that features works by famous artists like Rembrandt, Rubens, and Van Gogh.
- Take a boat tour on the Rhône River – There are several companies in Avignon that offer boat tours on the Rhône River, which is a great way to see the city from a different perspective.
- Discover the Rocher des Doms – The Rocher des Doms is a park with beautiful gardens and a great view of the city.
- Visit the Musée Angladon – The Musée Angladon is a small museum that houses a collection of works by famous artists like Picasso, Degas, and Modigliani.
- Explore the Petit Palais Museum – The Petit Palais Museum is another art museum in Avignon that features works from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
- Wander through the Les Halles market – The Les Halles market is a great place to sample local products and buy fresh produce, cheese, and wine.
- Attend the Festival d’Avignon – The Festival d’Avignon is a major arts festival that takes place in July, with theater, dance, music, and other performances happening all over the city.
- Visit the Collection Lambert – The Collection Lambert is a contemporary art museum that features works by artists like Basquiat, Kiefer, and Richter.
- Taste the local wines – The Avignon region is known for its excellent wines, especially its Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which you can taste at local wineries and wine shops.
- Visit the Musée du Petit Palais – The Musée du Petit Palais is a fine arts museum that houses works from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, including sculptures, paintings, and tapestries.
- Check out the Place de l’Horloge – The Place de l’Horloge is a central square in Avignon that’s surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and shops.
- Explore the Jardins de l’abbaye Saint-André – The Jardins de l’abbaye Saint-André is a beautiful garden with fountains, sculptures, and a stunning view of the city.
- Visit the Musée Lapidaire – The Musée Lapidaire is an archaeological museum that features artifacts from Roman times to the Middle Ages.
- Go on a bike tour – There are several companies in Avignon that offer bike tours of the city and the surrounding countryside.
- Take a cooking class – The Avignon region is known for its cuisine, and you can learn how to make local dishes like bouillabaisse and ratatouille at cooking
10 places similar to Avignon and their locations
- Carcassonne, France – Located in the Occitanie region of southern France, Carcassonne is a fortified medieval city that’s similar to Avignon in its history and architecture.
- Cordoba, Spain – Located in southern Spain, Cordoba was once a major center of Islamic culture and features a stunning mosque-cathedral that’s similar in size and complexity to Avignon’s Palace of the Popes.
- Toledo, Spain – Located near Madrid, Toledo is a well-preserved medieval city that’s known for its historical significance and beautiful architecture.
- Siena, Italy – Located in Tuscany, Siena is a charming medieval city that’s known for its beautiful Gothic architecture and historic center.
- Bruges, Belgium – Located in northwestern Belgium, Bruges is a well-preserved medieval city that’s known for its canals, Gothic architecture, and charming historic center.
- Prague, Czech Republic – Located in central Europe, Prague is a historic city that’s known for its stunning architecture, charming streets, and vibrant cultural scene.
- Salzburg, Austria – Located in western Austria, Salzburg is a historic city that’s known for its baroque architecture, stunning views of the Alps, and connection to the famous composer Mozart.
- Dubrovnik, Croatia – Located on the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is a fortified medieval city that’s known for its stunning architecture, picturesque streets, and connection to the Game of Thrones series.
- Tallinn, Estonia – Positioned at the Baltic Sea, Tallinn is a well-preserved medieval city that’s known for its historic architecture, charming streets, and vibrant cultural scene.
- Krakow, Poland – Located in southern Poland, Krakow is a historic city that’s known for its stunning architecture, charming streets, and vibrant cultural scene.
