Avignon in 5 days

The City of Popes: a colossal Gothic palace, a broken bridge and Provence's best food market inside medieval walls. Best time to visit: May-June and September-October. Average daily budget: $110 to $200 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Intra-muros (Old Town), The walled centre with the palace, squares and most hotels.

Morning: Palais des Papes. Tour the vast papal palace with the Histopad augmented-reality tablet.

Afternoon: Explore Intra-muros (Old Town), The walled centre with the palace, squares and most hotels.

Evening: Pont Saint-Bénézet. Walk the famous broken bridge and hear the legend of the shepherd boy.

Eat: Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Place des Corps Saints, A lively quarter of wine bars and bistros near the station.

Morning: Les Halles market. Graze Provence's finest covered food market under its living green wall.

Afternoon: Explore Place des Corps Saints, A lively quarter of wine bars and bistros near the station.

Evening: Rocher des Doms. Take in the free hilltop garden with views over the Rhône and bridge.

Eat: Daube avignonnaise, lamb braised in red wine

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Les Teinturiers, Canal-side street of artists' studios and the festival's fringe heart.

Morning: Villeneuve-lès-Avignon's Chartreuse monastery and Fort Saint-André, crowd-free across the river.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Les Teinturiers, Canal-side street of artists' studios and the festival's fringe heart.

Evening: The free ferry to Île de la Barthelasse for sunset palace views.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Papalines d'Avignon chocolate-liqueur sweets

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Île de la Barthelasse, A river island of orchards and campsites with palace views.

Morning: Rue des Teinturiers' waterwheels and tiny fringe theatres.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Île de la Barthelasse, A river island of orchards and campsites with palace views.

Evening: A Tuesday morning at the Marché des Halles when chefs do their shopping.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Tapenade and fresh chèvre from Les Halles

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, The quieter bank across the Rhône with its own fortress and gardens.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, The quieter bank across the Rhône with its own fortress and gardens.

Evening: Dinner at Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.

Eat: Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines

Hidden gems

Villeneuve-lès-Avignon's Chartreuse monastery and Fort Saint-André, crowd-free across the river.
The free ferry to Île de la Barthelasse for sunset palace views.
Rue des Teinturiers' waterwheels and tiny fringe theatres.
A Tuesday morning at the Marché des Halles when chefs do their shopping.

Getting around

Avignon Centre station sits just outside the walls and Avignon TGV, 5km away, links to Paris in 2 hours 40 minutes and Marseille in 35 minutes. The old town is compact and fully walkable, city buses cover the suburbs, and a free shuttle boat crosses to the Barthelasse island. Rent a car or join a tour for the Luberon, Pont du Gard and wine villages, which are poorly served by public transport.

Safety

Avignon is generally safe and violent crime is rare, but pickpocketing occurs around the palace, the station and during the packed July festival. The Rhône currents are dangerous, so swim only at supervised spots. Summer heat regularly exceeds 35°C, and the mistral wind can be fierce in spring and autumn. Watch for bikes and scooters on the narrow intra-muros lanes.

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