A brilliant starting point for seeing Provence, the lovely city of Avignon inspires visitors with its breathtaking papal palace. It boasts of the Palais de Papes of 7 popes in the 14th-century, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is an evidence of the power and wealth that the Christian world had in the Middle Ages. Avignon has many other significant attractions that attract millions of visitors from different parts of the world.

The city is worth visiting for being the center of culture and art. Avignon hosts an impressive array of different events and festivals all through the year. The Epicurean Festival in the summer, the internationally acclaimed Jazz Festival, and the local Christmas market are part of the wide variety of events Avignon has to offer.

When you visit, there is the opportunity to enjoy the cool Provencal atmosphere as you stroll the colorful streets like the Rue des Teintutiers and the beautiful squares like the Place des Corps Saints. At the city’s center is the Place de l’Horloge that is filled with trees and full of cafes where customers sit and observe the passersby.

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Here Is Why Avignon Is Worth Visiting:

Le Pont d’Avignon (Pont Saint Bénézet)

One of the city’s attractions sites is the Pont d’Avignon, also known as Saint Bénézet Bridge, which has its own story to tell. According to the story, some angels instructed the shepherd Bénézet to construct a bridge over the Rhône. However, the town’s residents and founders took the news with derision. Meanwhile, the shepherd was blessed with the strength to raise a large piece of rock. The residents saw this as a sign from God and attributed the timely completion (eight years) to divine help.

As early as the 1100s and the origin of the popular children’s number ‘Sur le Pont d’Avignon’, this incredible medieval bridge is a must-see for every visitor. Today, Le Pont d’Avignon stretches half-way across the Rhône River, as it was destroyed in the 1600s after a devastating flood. On Le Pont d’Avignon, visitors can find the wonderful Chapel of Saint Nicholas. It used to be the resting place of Saint Bénézet.

This bridge is a sublime construction of 22 arches and 900 m. It has become a significant pathway for transportation across the Rhône until the 1600s. Today, Pont Saint Bénézet is almost in ruins and no longer span across the river. But thanks to UNESCO, it is listed and open to the world as a tourist spot. When you buy a ticket to explore there, it includes an entrance to Le Pont Retrouve Museum and an audio-guide. The museum features 3-dimensional exhibits, multimedia presentations for an interactive experience, and films based on research work. Pont Saint Bénézet is located at Boulevard de la Ligne, Avignon.

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Le Palais des Papes

Among the most significant structures in the city, this is a very impressive building that imposes itself in this small, quaint town. Le Palais des Papes dates back to 1252 but was first used in 1309 by the popes in the course of the 1300s Avignon papacy. While it is an interesting historical spot to explore, Le Palais des Papes is also architecturally intriguing. It is one of the world’s largest medieval Gothic buildings. Art enthusiasts usually exploit this sizeable space for exhibitions held throughout the year. Atop the ramparts, it offers an unmatched, fascinating panoramic view of the city and its neighboring areas. Les Palais can be found at Place du Palais, Avignon.

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Le Rocher des Doms

Close to the Pont d’Avignon are the adorable gardens of Le Rocher des Doms, a shelter of greenery that looks over the Rhône River. Since its construction in 1830, this garden has remained a great spot for leisurely walks as it offers amazing panoramic views of the area, This place is also where the several fantastic sculptures and fountains, like Félix Charpentier’s Venus statue.

Ile de la Barthelasse

To observe a well-deserved break from the bustles of city life, take a ferry across the river to the stunning Ile de la Barthelasse. It is one of Europe’s biggest river islands. Go on a day’s tour to this place and engage in interesting activities like water sports, paintball fields, and a campsite. Ile de la Barthelasse also hosts a strip of chic restaurants, plain farmers market, and several interesting animals and plants.

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Musée Louis Vouland 

Right at the center of Avignon is the Musée Louis Vouland, a nice little museum that will convey visitors to the 1700s with its lovely displays of ceramics, paintings, furniture, and tapestries that all evinces the luxurious allure of this massive époque, displayed in a former hotel with quite a gorgeous garden. In addition, these items have been on display to the public since 1982 and are part of the decorative art of Louis Vouland’s collection. He is a rich citizen of the city. Musée Louis Vouland is located at 17 Rue Victor Hugo, Avignon.

Villeneuve-Les-Avignon 

A 10-minutes’ drive from the city of Avignon, Villeneuve-Les-Avignon has a fantastic medieval rampart. This village is the place to be for some incredible suburban experience. Constructed in the 1200s and 1300s, the Fort Saint-André perches on the top of Mont Andaon and offers a splendid view of Avignon, Villeneuve, and the Alpilles and Lubéron mountain ranges.

Large walls cover the Benedictine monastery and the Saint-Andre fort as well as the Romanesque Church of Notre-Dame-de-Belvézet. In addition, Villeneuve-Les-Avignon has an impressive museum which is called the Musée Municipal Pierre de Luxembourg situated on the Rue de la Republique.

A popular piece at the museum is the Coronation of the Virgin Mary, painted in 453 by Enguerrand Quarton. It is accompanied by pieces by Nicolas Mignard (the mid-1600s) and a 1300s Madonna of ivory from an elephant’s tusk. You should also see the Chartreuse du Val de Bénédicition chapel from 1352. Lying in the chapel is the gothic tomb of Pope Innocent VI.

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Eglise Saint-Didier

At the major Old Town of Avignon’s main street towards south from Place de l’Horloge, to the east of the Rue de la République, stands the Church of Saint Didier. Constructed between 1356 and 1359, the Saint-Didier Church typifies the Romanesque architecture of the region with its massive nave and hard stonewalls.

Visitors will discover one of the country’s earliest Renaissance piece of art, the Way of the Cross, made by Francesco Laurana between 1478 and 1481. There are also phenomenal 1300s paintings like the depiction of Christ’s Crucifixion. Eglise Saint-Didier is located at Place Saint-Didier, Avignon.

Musée Calvet

This remarkable museum has a great collection of medieval paintings and antique sculptures by Provençal maestros, French paintings from the 1500s to the 1800s, and Italian paintings from the 1500s to the 1800s, as wells as a selection of Dutch and Spanish works. Visitors will see an attractive display of decorative sculptures and objects. Musée Calvet began as the private Collection of Francois Esprit Calvet, a son of Avignon. It is located at 65 Rue Joseph Verner, Avignon.

Avignon Festivals 

The city is popular for its cultural festival and events. Avignon hosts dozens of various festivals all-year-round. One of the major ones is the Festival d’Avignon, the world’s biggest theater festival. Organized in June and July, the Festival d’Avignon commemorates the performing arts, with presentations of poetry, philosophy, and literature.

Another popular festival is the Avignon Jazz Festival held in August. It takes place at the Cloître des Carmes courtyard. This event invites up-and-coming jazz musicians and enthusiasts from different parts of Europe.

Other major festivals include the traditional Christmas market from early December until the January Epiphany, the Blues Festival in October, the Auto Festival in March, the Festival of Contemporary Art at September ending through October, the Medieval Festival in September, and the Agricultural Festival in August.

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Is Avignon Worth Seeing? – Summary

Avignon remains one of France’s most fascinating and historic towns and is definitely worth visiting. It is a lively place full of culture and history for the prepared and unprepared tourists. Avignon’s monuments and other tourist spots are just as magnificent as you have seen on YouTube. The city’s annual festivals and vibrant nightlife are the crème-de-la-crème. If Avignon happens to be your next destination, your travel experience will not remain the same after the trip.

Do tou think Avignon is Worth Visiting? Let us know in the comments below.