Charming city of the papacy and filled with warm people, the city has two UNESCO World Heritage sites
Avignon, situated in the South of France near the Mediterranean and bordering the Languedoc region, is a haven for history. Its sunny climate, boasting 300 days of sun a year, stays fairly temperate all year round.
Its claim to fame is the arrival of the popes from Rome in the 14th century. Called the “Rome away from Rome,” the city gained recognition and prominence within Europe.
The Palace of the Popes
Le Palais des Papes is now a visitor’s treasure, as 25 of the rooms are open to explore. These include the reception halls, cloister, chapels and the Pope’s private apartment ornamented with frescos. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Pont d”Avignon
Equally as famous is the Pont St Bénézet, made legendary in the children’s nursery rhyme, “Le Pont d’Avignon.” This gorgeous bridge was built starting in the 12th century, although floods from the Rhône River damaged it extensively over the years. Another UNESCO World Heritage site, it was rebuilt in the 17th century and now stands with 4 arches and the St-Nicolas Chapel.
The Official Walks
There are 4 official walks in the city that take visitors through the landmarks of Avignon. The Doms Stroll hits the most famous Pope’s Palace and the Pont d’Avignon; the Joseph Vernet Stroll is an exploration of the western side along rue Joseph Vernet and includes most of the museums; the pedestrian zone of the old city center is covered in the Teinturiers Stroll, a lively and boutique-filled walk along the picturesque rue des Teinruriers; the Carreterie Stroll goes through the eastern areas of the ramparts along the rues des Trois-Colombes, Campane and Paul Saïn, where the aristocratic homes were built. All of these walks are mapped out at the Tourism Office.
The Markets
Of course, a large part of the southern culture is the markets. From 7:00am to 1:00pm, colourful characters and fresh produce are on display. Sauntering through these typically French events is a must for any traveller. When and where to catch them:
- Flea Market: at the Place des Carmes on Sunday mornings
- Covered Market: at Les Halles- Place Pie on Tuesday and Sunday
- Flower Market: at Place des Carmes on Saturday
- Farmer’s Market: at chemin de Halage, Barthelasse Island at 4:00pm from May to October
- Marketplace: at Rempart Saint Michel on Saturday and Sunday
The Festival
One of the oldest and most famous theatre festivals in the world, the “Festival d’Avignon” is an important part of the city's yearly calendar. Each year sees a new associate artist in which the festival is themed around. Every July, 3 weeks are dedicated to providing non-stop entertainment and top notch theatre. 20 venues span the city with over 40 performances. Even the Pope’s Palace is opened to seat 2,000 spectators.
