Avignon: top attractions & road trip guide
Avignon, in Provence, was the seat of the papacy for much of the 14th century, leaving behind the Palais des Papes, one of the largest and most important Gothic palaces in Europe, and a ring of medieval ramparts encircling the old town. Its emblem is the Pont Saint-Bénézet, the half-collapsed bridge celebrated in the French nursery rhyme "Sur le pont d'Avignon".
On a road trip through Provence, Avignon sits on the Rhône as a gateway to the Luberon's hilltop villages and lavender countryside. It makes a natural stop between Lyon and the Côte d'Azur, or a base for day trips into the surrounding vineyards.
Top attractions
Palais des Papes
The largest Gothic palace in the world, built as the fortified residence of the popes during their 14th-century stay in Avignon.
Pont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d'Avignon)
A medieval bridge over the Rhône, now missing most of its arches, immortalized by the French folk song about dancing on it.
Avignon Cathedral (Notre-Dame des Doms)
A Romanesque cathedral topped by a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary, standing directly beside the Palais des Papes.
Remparts d'Avignon
Nearly complete 14th-century ramparts that still encircle the entire old town, punctuated by towers and gates.
Place de l'Horloge
Avignon's lively main square, framed by cafes, the clock tower, and the neoclassical Hôtel de Ville.
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