Avignon | France

Avignon is a historic city in southeastern France, located in the Vaucluse department on the left bank of the Rhône River. Known as the "City of the Popes," it served as the seat of the Catholic Holy See for much of the 14th century. In 2026, the city remains a primary cultural hub of Provence, balancing its medieval UNESCO-listed heritage with a high-speed transit profile.

Historical Timeline

Antiquity: Originally a stronghold of the Gallic tribe Cavares, it became the Roman city of Avennio. Traces of the Roman forum remain visible near the current City Hall.

The Avignon Papacy (1309–1377): Seven successive popes resided in Avignon rather than Rome, leading to the construction of the world's largest Gothic palace.

Papal Enclave (1377–1791): Following the return of the papacy to Rome, Avignon remained a papal territory until it was annexed by France during the French Revolution.

The Festival Era (1947–Present): Founded by Jean Vilar, the Festival d'Avignon transformed the city into a global center for performing arts.

Urban Layout & Districts

The city is enclosed by 4.3 km of exceptionally well-preserved medieval ramparts.

Intra-Muros: The area inside the walls. A dense network of narrow medieval streets, private mansions (hôtels particuliers), and vibrant squares like Place de l'Horloge.

Rocher des Doms: A rocky promontory overlooking the Rhône, serving as the city’s birthplace and now a public garden with panoramic views of the Alps and Mont Ventoux.

Île de la Barthelasse: One of Europe's largest river islands, located between two arms of the Rhône. It provides a "green lung" for the city with campsites, farms, and unobstructed views of the city skyline.

Villeneuve-lès-Avignon: Located across the river; historically the residential area for cardinals, featuring the Fort Saint-André and the Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction.

Top Landmarks

Palais des Papes: The largest Gothic palace in the world. As of 2026, visitors utilize the Histopad (an augmented reality tablet) to view the 25 rooms as they appeared in the 14th century.

Pont Saint-Bénézet: The famous "Pont d'Avignon" from the traditional song. Originally a 22-arch bridge, only four arches remain today following centuries of Rhône floods.

Avignon Cathedral (Notre-Dame des Doms): A Romanesque cathedral topped by a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary.

Musée du Petit Palais: Houses an exceptional collection of Italian Renaissance and Provençal paintings, including works by Botticelli.

Rue des Teinturiers: A picturesque street running alongside the Vaucluse canal, featuring large waterwheels that once powered the city's textile industry.

Les Halles d'Avignon: A modern indoor market covered by a massive living "green wall," serving as the city's gastronomic center.

Transportation & Infrastructure (2026)

Rail (TGV): Avignon is served by two stations. Gare d'Avignon TGV (located 6 km from the center) connects to Paris in 2 hours 40 minutes. Gare d'Avignon-Centre handles regional (TER) traffic.

Avignon Tramway: The network (Line T1) facilitates travel between the historic center and the southern residential and commercial zones.

River Shuttles: A free ferry (navette fluviale) connects the Quai de la Ligne to Île de la Barthelasse.

Network Modernization (2026): Large-scale infrastructure work is underway in 2026 to modernize the regional rail and bus interfaces, aiming for a fully integrated multimodal network by 2030.

Economy & Gastronomy

Festival d'Avignon: In July, the city's population triples. It is the world's largest theater festival, featuring the "In" (official) and "Off" (independent) programs.

Côtes du Rhône Wine: Avignon is the capital of this wine region. It is the primary hub for exploring nearby Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards.

Provençal Specialty: Notable for Papalines d'Avignon, a thistle-shaped chocolate specialty filled with oregano liqueur.

Local Cost Index (2026)

Espresso (at a café): €2.30 – €3.50

Avignon City Pass (24h): €28.00

Mid-range 3-Course Meal: €35.00 – €55.00

Single Transport Ticket: €1.40 – €1.70

1-Bedroom Apt (Center): €700 – €1,000/month

Facts & Legends

Legend says the Pont d'Avignon was built by a shepherd boy named Bénézet who claimed he was commanded by angels; he proved his divine mission by single-handedly lifting a massive stone that 30 men could not move. A verified historical fact: People did not dance on the bridge as the song suggests (it was too narrow), but rather under it, on the meadows of the Île de la Barthelasse where cafes and dance halls were located in the 19th century.