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Avignon

Culture of Avignon. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Avignon is rich in numerous interesting historical sites. You can start your sightseeing from visiting the historic district of the city and the walls surrounding it (Town Walls). This protective facility was erected in the middle of the 14th century. The total length of the wall estimates 4.8 kilometers. This large-scale structure consists of eight gates and 39 towers. The reinforcement wall has perfectly survived till our days.

Shopping in Avignon - main shopping streets, outlets and boutiques

The main shopping street of Avignon is Rue de la Republique. Large department stores and small fashion boutiques offering exclusive designer clothes are based here. On the main shopping …

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Carthusian monastery is one more important religious landmark. The monastery was founded in 1356 by order of Pope Innocent VI. There is a fort near the monastery. On the territory of this fort is located the tomb of Innocent VI. A large part of historical buildings was almost completely destroyed during hundreds of years, but the main buildings were restored. Nowadays these buildings look very impressive and so they are regularly visited by tourists.

Pont Saint-Benezet is one of the main symbols of the city. The first bridge across the Rhone River was built in 1185. Its length estimated 900 meters. The construction was destroyed several times due to heavy floods, so the bridge was repeatedly rebuilt and strengthened. After the last flood, which occurred in 1668, only 4 out of 22 arches of the bridge survived. Nowadays the construction has completely lost its original purpose and serves as a symbol of the city which is reminiscent of the events from the Middle Ages. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Guide to Avignon sightseeing - things to see and to visit

Avignon is located in the southern part of France. In past the city was a center of the Catholic world and the residence of the Pope. It’s clear, after many year of such a notable …

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Little Palace museum is definitely a noteworthy sight of the city. The exhibition of the museum includes a huge collection of Renaissance paintings. The building itself is also a notable sight of a great interest. The beautiful palace has witnessed many important historical events, and during its history the building has repeatedly changed its status. Of course, Popes Castle is known as the most striking historical building in Avignon. It was built in the beginning of the 14th century and for a long time it remained the principal residence of the Pope. During the times of Napoleon the palace was converted into military barracks, and some of its facilities were used to keep prisoners. In the beginning of the 20th century began the full reconstruction of the castle. The reconstruction is continued in the present time.

Place du Palais - Metropolitan Basilica, Notre-Dame des Doms, Cathedral of Avignon and Papal Palace

You can take a wonderful walk along Rue de Teinturiers. It is as though there is a completely different atmosphere here – immersion into a fairy tale is guaranteed. Everywhere, there are medieval houses closely pressed to each other, a paved street, and a river channel. All of this simply intensifies your total immersion in a romantic tale, where you can pleasantly hide from prying eyes, run away from the noisy city with all its fuss. I will recommend you come here at sunset and with your better half, so as to feel the romance to the full.

Family holidays with kids in Avignon. How to entertain your child, things to show to children.

Avignon offers travelers with children a wide range of entertainment. Many are sent with children to the picturesque park Ile de la Barthelasse. This park is located on a beautiful island, …

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The most vibrant place in the Papal City – Place de l’Horloge – is also worthy of a visit as the quietest place is. Here you will find an attraction called Manège Pour Enfants, the gorgeous opera house Opéra Grand d’Avignon with Petrarca’s bas-relief over the entrance, Maison Jean Vilar, and Beffroi d’Avignon. The majestic tower is much above the square, as if it were its protector. It is however so, as the tower in all its appearance shows power. Another popular square in the Papal City, “Place Pie”, attracts everyone who loves creativity. It is here that creative young people gather, and in the evenings you can listen to musicians. The square is notable for the availability of many cafes and restaurants on its territory. Among all the sights, you will find interesting, the tower of Tour Saint Jean. It was built in a noble Romanesque style.

A remarkable place can be found at Place du Palais. We are talking about the Cathedrale Notre-Dame des Doms, the majestic cathedral built in the Romanesque style next to the Papal Palace. The time of its construction dates back to the 12th century. The church is famous for the grand painting by Simone Martini above the entrance to the church. Inside the church is a remarkable mausoleum of Pope John XXII built in the Gothic style. There is a synagogue in Avignon, which was built in the 13th century. However, the building got burnt several times, and in the 18th century it was rebuilt in neoclassical style. The majestic Temple Saint Martial was built in the 14th century in the Gothic style. It is an excellent example of the beautiful architecture of the Middle Ages.

Cuisine of Avignon for gourmet with top restaurants and cafe

In Avignon you will find restaurants devoted to various culinary trends, but more and more tourists prefer restaurants that serve national cuisine. Pot-au-feu (stew), as well as a steak, …

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From an architectural point of view, it is interesting to visit Livrée Ceccano. Here you can sit on a stool near the library, hiding from the heat on a summer day. The building was constructed in the year 1335 and was originally a palace. It was built on the orders of Annibal Ceccano. As for museums, you should definitely visit The Epicurium, where visitors are told about the traditional life of the locals – crop harvesting, gathering vegetables and fruits. Museum Requien is a great place for those who want to get acquainted with the rich wildlife of the region, while the Palais du Roure acquaints you with local traditions and folk art.

In the section below, you can get one of our excursion, activities or city discovery tours over Avignon and surroundings. Our website offers 10-30% lower ticket prices, when compared to the offline purchase on the spot.

City tours, excursions and tickets in Avignon and surroundings

This guide to cultural sights Avignon is protected by the copyright law. You can re-publish this content with mandatory attribution: direct and active hyperlink to www.orangesmile.com.

Avignon - guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Reference information

Map of all palaces

Public palaces near Avignon
♥ Palace 'Palais des Papes' , 0.7 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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Map of all art museums

Art galleries in Avignon and around
♥ Art museum 'Musée du Petit Palais' Avignon, 0.9 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Art museum 'Musée Angladon' Avignon, 0.9 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Art museum 'Fondation Calvet' Avignon, 1.1 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Art museum 'Musée de l Arles et de la Provence antiques' Arles, 34.8 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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Map of all churches

Cathedrals and basilicas near Avignon
♥ Ancienne cathédrale Notre-Dame de Nazareth, Orange, 20.9 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Ancienne cathédrale Notre-Dame et Saint-Véran, Cavaillon, 21.6 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Ancienne cathédrale Saint-Siffrein, Carpentras, 21.8 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Ancienne cathédrale Saint-Théodorit, Uzès, 32.3 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Basilique Saint-Trophime, Arles, 34 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Chapelle Saint-Honorat, Arles, 34.2 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Ancienne cathédrale Notre-Dame de Nazareth et Saint-Quentin, Vaison-la-Romaine, 38.2 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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Culture of Avignon. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

City tours, excursions and tickets in Avignon and surroundings

Photogallery of cultural heritage of Avignon

Landmarks of culture on Avignon map: art-galleries, monuments, palaces, etc

Excursions over cultural sights of neighbours of Avignon