A Travel Price Comparison for France Bordeaux vs. Avignon for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Bordeaux or Avignon?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bordeaux or Avignon? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a charming, romantic, and historical city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Avignon

Avignon is a charming, scenic, and picturesque town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Bordeaux and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bordeaux or Avignon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bordeaux than Avignon, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bordeaux is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Avignon is known for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm. Bordeaux is more touristy than Avignon and is popular for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. It is also home to Cathédrale Saint-André. Avignon is popular for its architectural beauty and historical importance.

How is Bordeaux different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Avignon and Bordeaux. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bordeaux or Avignon?

Avignon is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Avignon are among the most recognizable in the world. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bordeaux. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

Is the Food Better in Bordeaux or Avignon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Bordeaux and Avignon both to be amazing destinations.

For foodies, Bordeaux is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

Avignon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.

Is Bordeaux or Avignon Better for Nightlife?

Bordeaux is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bordeaux. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

Is Bordeaux or Avignon Better for its Old Town?

Avignon is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Avignon is revered around the world. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

Bordeaux has an old town worth visiting. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Is the Shopping Better in Bordeaux or Avignon?

Bordeaux is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bordeaux. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

Avignon is a great destination for shopping. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Is Bordeaux or Avignon Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bordeaux or Avignon.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bordeaux. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Avignon offers lots of family activities. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

Is Bordeaux or Avignon Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bordeaux and Avignon make for a superb place to visit.

Couples visit Bordeaux frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

Avignon is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Is Bordeaux or Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bordeaux and Avignon are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bordeaux. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Avignon is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Is Bordeaux or Avignon Better for Students?

Bordeaux is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Avignon is not popular with students.

Many students visit Bordeaux. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

Avignon is not popular with students.

Is Bordeaux or Avignon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bordeaux is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Bordeaux can get you to most places easily. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

You'll find some public transit in Avignon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Is Bordeaux or Avignon a more walkable city?

Avignon is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Avignon on foot is easy. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

Bordeaux is a very walkable destination. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

For even more information, also check out Is Bordeaux Worth Visiting? and Is Avignon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Bordeaux?

How long in Bordeaux or Avignon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bordeaux or Avignon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bordeaux than Avignon because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Bordeaux, and 1-2 days is enough time in Avignon.

Families should spend more time in Avignon than Bordeaux. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Avignon, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bordeaux than Avignon if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bordeaux.

One day in Bordeaux or Avignon?

In Bordeaux, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Avignon is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Bordeaux or Avignon?

In Bordeaux, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bordeaux has to offer.

Avignon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Avignon, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Bordeaux or Avignon?

Bordeaux is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bordeaux has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Avignon is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Bordeaux or Avignon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bordeaux. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bordeaux. One reason most visitors come is for the food. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Avignon is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bordeaux and Avignon, we can see that Avignon is more expensive. And not only is Bordeaux much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bordeaux would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bordeaux and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Avignon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Avignon than you might in Bordeaux.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bordeaux Expensive? and Is Avignon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bordeaux or Avignon?

Bordeaux has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Avignon. When comparing the sizes of Bordeaux and Avignon, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bordeaux or Avignon?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Avignon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bordeaux as well as Avignon. Most visitors come to Bordeaux for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Avignon because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bordeaux is cooler than Avignon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bordeaux in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Avignon averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Avignon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bordeaux this time of the year. In the summer, Bordeaux often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Bordeaux gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 354 hours of full sun.

Bordeaux usually gets more rain in July than Avignon. Bordeaux gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Avignon in the Autumn?

Both Avignon and Bordeaux are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Avignon this time of year.

In October, Bordeaux is generally cooler than Avignon. Daily temperatures in Bordeaux average around 14°C (58°F), and Avignon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Bordeaux usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during autumn. Bordeaux gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Avignon. In October, Bordeaux usually receives less rain than Avignon. Bordeaux gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Avignon in the Winter?

Both Avignon and Bordeaux during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Avignon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bordeaux is around the same temperature as Avignon in the winter. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Avignon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Bordeaux often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Bordeaux gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 146 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bordeaux. Bordeaux usually gets more rain in January than Avignon. Bordeaux gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Avignon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bordeaux and Avignon. Many travelers come to Bordeaux for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Avignon in the spring for the small town charm.

In the spring, Bordeaux is cooler than Avignon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bordeaux in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Avignon averages at about 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Avignon this time of the year. Bordeaux usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during spring. Bordeaux gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bordeaux usually receives more rain than Avignon. Bordeaux gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Avignon and Bordeaux