Location: Avignon
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10 Sights & Landmarks in Avignon That You Shouldn't Miss
Avignon charms visitors with its ancient streets, restored medieval ramparts and the immense Gothic architecture of the Palais des Papes (Palace of Popes—the papacy was based here in the 14th century). The annual Festival d'Avignon, a major arts festival, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors for theater, dance, film and street performances.
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1. Palais des Papes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,840 reviews
The residence of the soveriegn pontiffs in the 14th century is the largest Gothic Palace in the world. 25 areas to visit : ceremonila halls, chapels, cloister, the Pope's provate apartments with their priceless frescos, as well as a scenographic area, the Musée de l'Oeuvre, wich presents the development and history of the building since it was build. Ranked as UNESCO world heritage.
Reviewed By YairBarZohar - Qiryat Ata, Israel
After going through some of Avignon's other sites, you finally reached the highlight - the Pope's Palace. The palace, built between 1335 and 1352, is the largest Gothic palace in the world. This palace served as the residence of the popes in the 14th century and was also the place where six closed meetings were held, under which six popes were elected. This important site entered the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1995. As part of your visit to the Pope's Palace, you can tour more than 25 rooms open to the public. One of the highlights of the visit is the opportunity to see the Pope's living rooms from the time he lived here. Also, be impressed by the spectacular fresco paintings, which adorn a large part of the halls and chapels. You can hire an audio guide at the entrance. If you wish, you can choose to visit the Pope's Palace as part of a guided walking tour of Avignon, which includes a queue entrance to the Pope's Palace. Admission is reasonable. Children 8 and under come in for free. The card can be used with the San Benza Bridge. Opening hours: from April to the end of June and September to the beginning of November from 9:00 to 19:00, November to the end of February from 9:30 to 17:45, March from 9:00 to 18:30, July to 9 : 00-20: 00, August 9: 00-20: 30. How long should you visit? Between two and three hours. The Pope's Palace is adjacent to Avignon Cathedral to the south.
2. Musee du Petit Palais
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 444 reviews
Reviewed By 227ianc - London, United Kingdom
The Petit Palais in Avignon was built during the period of the Avignon Papacy by Cardinal Berenger Fredoli the Elder in around 1318–20 and in 1335 became the Archbishop's Palace. The interior today is much as it was then and houses an impressive collection of religious art from Romanesque to Renaissance, including a Virgin and Child by Botticelli. In an interesting initiative, each year the Parcours de l'Art and the Petit Palais museum allow an artist to show works that interact with the museum's art collections. For 2019, Ernst Günther Herrmann has placed his metal sculptures in various rooms of the museum, next to sculptures and paintings of the from the 12th to the 15th centuries. A great initiative which purists will hate, but is a means of connecting across the centuries.
3. Ile de la Barthelasse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 455 reviews
Reviewed By anagP6520XJ - Sydney, Australia
This is a great little town with lots of history and great photo opportunities. This is a lovely place to just hang out and enjoy the view. Lovely atmosphere.
4. Basilique Saint Pierre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 273 reviews
Reviewed By doctorbobster - Gainesville, United States
Disclaimer: I have a weakness for medieval Gothic churches. That said, Eglise Saint-Pierre is a winner. The bland exterior walls give no clue to the vast space, classic architecture, grand altar, beautiful chapels and stained glass. The interior, in its way, is a work of art; if you love art, that is reason to go.
5. Chapelle de L'oratoire
6. Les Eclaireurs Sculpteurs Africains
7. Le Grenier a sel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Lieu culturel dédié aux nouvelles formes d’expressions artistiques, le Grenier à sel propose une programmation qui relie l’art, la science et les technologies du monde contemporain : expositions, ateliers, rencontres, spectacles... Le Grenier à sel existe grâce au fonds de dotation Edis, organisme d’intérêt général dont la vocation est de soutenir les pratiques artistiques émergentes et de permettre leur accès à un public large et diversifié.
8. Remparts d'Avignon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By KiwiKerry53 - Wellington, New Zealand
We were staying at the Ibis, which is opposite the Ramparts. We enjoyed a short stroll into the old town as the sun went down and again in the morning, so we got to see the Ramparts in different lights. It is one amazaing wall and one of the most complete and attractive I have seen. We didn't get to walk them. Always a bonus when something is just there and you don't have to pay to get in or view it
9. Avignon Synagogue
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 54 reviews
This 19th-century synagogue, built on the site of a much older one that had been destroyed by a fire, reflects the ancient roots of Jewish culture in Avignon.
10. Cathedrale Notre-Dame des Doms
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 534 reviews
Reviewed By WendyV58
I ducked in here to avoid the rain at the end of a long day and was captivated by this small church. It was the first church we had been in in France which had wood panelling lining the altar. I had admired its gold statue outside near the Palais des Papes but didn't go in from the square. I literally stumbled upon it while leaving the Rocher des Domes park. It was surprisingly simple inside and so beautiful. A very quiet place to chill out and admire.
