landmark
Palais des Papes
The largest Gothic palace in the world, serving as the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century.
0 km · about 5 min drive
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France · Europe
Avignon works well as a base: 10 minutes from Le Pontet, 21km from Théâtre Antique d'Orange.
Avignon is a town located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. With a population of 89,769, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Avignon sits in France, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Paris time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Avignon to your route.
Avignon (, US also , French: [aviɲɔ̃] ; Provençal: Avinhon (Classical norm) or Avignoun (Mistralian norm), IPA: [aviˈɲun]; Latin: Avenio) is the prefecture of the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southern France. Located on the left bank of the river Rhône, the commune has a populationRead more
of 92,188 (2023), with about 16,000 (estimate from Avignon's municipal services) living in the ancient town centre enclosed by its medieval walls. The Communauté d'agglomération du Grand Avignon, a cooperation structure of 16 communes, had 197,102 inhabitants in 2022.
Avignon is France's 35th-largest metropolitan area according to INSEE with 337,039 inhabitants (2020), and France's 13th-largest urban unit with 459,533 inhabitants (2020). Its urban area was the fastest-growing in France from 1999 until 2010 with an increase of 76% of its population and an area increase of 136%.
Between 1309 and 1377, during the Avignon Papacy, seven successive popes resided in Avignon and in 1348 Pope Clement VI bought the town from Joanna I of Naples. Papal control persisted until 1791 when during the French Revolution it became part of France. The city is now the capital of the Vaucluse department and one of the few French cities to have preserved its city walls. This is why Avignon is also known as 'La Cité des Papes' (The City of the Popes).
The historic centre, which includes the Palais des Papes, Avignon Cathedral and the Pont d'Avignon, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 because of its architecture and importance during the 14th and 15th centuries. The medieval monuments and the annual Festival d'Avignon – one of the world's largest festivals for performing arts – have helped to make the town a major centre for tourism.
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Avignon offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Avignon is located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe. The coordinates are 43.9483 latitude, 4.8089 longitude.
Avignon has a population of approximately 89,769 people, making it a town in France.
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Full driving guide for France8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
The largest Gothic palace in the world, serving as the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century.
0 km · about 5 min drive
ancient ruins
The best-preserved Roman theatre in Europe, its towering stage wall still hosting performances after 2,000 years.
21 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Remarkably preserved three-tiered Roman aqueduct bridge built in the first century AD in southern France.
22 km · about 25 min drive
museum
Old limestone quarries turned into a vast immersive art show projected across 14 m stone walls.
22 km · about 25 min drive
castle
A dramatic medieval fortress village crowning a rocky limestone outcrop in the Alpilles mountains.
23 km · about 25 min drive
racetrack
Twisting, roller-coaster circuit in the sun-baked hills near Nimes, famed as France's most technical track; a favourite of motorcyclists and track-day drivers, and one of few French circuits run anti-clockwise.
25 km · about 30 min drive
waterfall
France's most powerful spring gushes from the foot of a cliff into an impossibly green pool.
26 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
A serene 12th-century Cistercian abbey framed by its own postcard rows of summer lavender.
30 km · about 35 min drive
April to October
Other places to explore near Avignon.
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