A Travel Price Comparison for France Calais vs. Avignon for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Calais or Avignon?

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

Should I visit Calais 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.

Calais

Calais is a coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Avignon

Avignon is a charming, scenic, and picturesque town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Calais and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calais or Avignon?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Calais than Avignon. While Avignon is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights and attractions for tourists. Calais is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Avignon attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and small town charm. Avignon is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its architectural beauty and historical importance. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also well known for The Town Hall.

How is Calais different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Avignon is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Avignon on the map. 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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Avignon is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Avignon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Calais or Avignon Better for Nightlife?

Calais 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 Calais. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

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 Calais or Avignon Better for Beaches?

Calais is a good destination for the beach. However, Avignon is not a beach destination.

Calais offers a nice beach destination. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Avignon is not a beach destination.

Is Calais or Avignon Better for its Old Town?

Avignon is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Avignon can be explored in its historical center. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Calais or Avignon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Avignon and Calais.

Many visitors go to Calais to go shopping. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Avignon. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Is Calais or Avignon Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Calais or Avignon.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Calais. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

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

Is Calais or Avignon Better for Couples?

Avignon is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Avignon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Calais or Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Avignon is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Calais and Avignon.

You'll find some public transit in Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

While Avignon offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Is Calais or Avignon a more walkable city?

Avignon is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Calais?

How long in Calais or Avignon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Calais or Avignon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Calais than Avignon because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Calais, and 1-2 days is enough time in Avignon.

Families should spend more time in Avignon than Calais. 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.

Couples should spend more time in Avignon than Calais. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Avignon that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Avignon than Calais 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 Avignon.

One day in Calais or Avignon?

In Calais, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Avignon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Calais or Avignon?

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

Avignon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Calais or Avignon?

Calais is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Avignon. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Calais or Avignon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Calais. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Avignon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Calais and Avignon, we can see that Avignon is more expensive. And not only is Calais much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Calais would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Calais 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 Calais.

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

Which is Bigger, Calais or Avignon?

Avignon has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Calais 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 Calais 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 Calais or Avignon in the Summer?

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

Calais is cooler than Avignon in the summer. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Avignon fluctuates around 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 Calais this time of the year. In the summer, Calais often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 354 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets more rain in July than Avignon. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Avignon in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Calais is cooler than Avignon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Calais in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Avignon averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during autumn. Calais gets 119 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, Calais usually receives less rain than Avignon. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Calais or Avignon in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. In January, Calais is generally much colder than Avignon. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 4°C (40°F), and Avignon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Calais often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Calais gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 146 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in January than Avignon. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Avignon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Calais and Avignon. Many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Avignon in the spring for the small town charm.

Calais is much colder than Avignon in the spring. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 9°C (47°F) in April, and Avignon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Avignon this time of the year. Calais usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during spring. Calais gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Calais usually receives less rain than Avignon. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Avignon and Calais