A Travel Price Comparison for France Chamonix-Mont-Blanc vs. Avignon for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Avignon. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a awe-inspiring, epic, and majestic mountain town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Avignon

Avignon is a quaint, charming, and scenic town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Although Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Avignon are both popular with visitors, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Avignon is known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is more touristy than Avignon and is known for its world famous skiing, stunning natural beauty, and access to Mont Blanc. It is also home to Mont Blanc. Avignon is popular for its architectural beauty and historical importance.

Mont Blanc

How is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon Better for Skiing?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is renowned for skiing and snowboarding. However, Avignon is not a skiing destination.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a top destination for snow skiing, and it attracts visitors from around the world. It is one of the most famous and best ski areas in the world. There are 5 ski resorts in the area (Grands Montets, Les Houches, Le Tour/Balme, La Flegere and Le Brevent) and many options for expert skiers. You can take the Aiguille du Midi cable car from the middle of town to the top of the 3840 meter peak.

Avignon is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon?

Avignon is terrific for its museums and history. However, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Avignon are world-renowned. 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.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Avignon is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Avignon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Dining out in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is an experience not to be missed. Regional food is wonderful and hearty, making for a great energy boost for all of your hiking or skiing. Dishes often include a lot of cream and cheese as well as local meats and potatoes. Local specialties include Crozets (buckwheat pasta), Fondue, and Galette des Rois (cake).

Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon Better for Nightlife?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc has a large number of nightlife venues. The town offers a great après-ski scene with many places to grab a drink or listen to live music. It's a tourist area with many young and adventurous vacationers who are out to have a good time.

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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon Better for Resorts?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Avignon is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc for its luxury resorts. The region has 5 ski resorts (Grands Montets, Les Houches, Le Tour/Balme, La Flegere and Le Brevent), making it an excellent ski destination.

Avignon is not a resort destination.

Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon Better for its Old Town?

Avignon is terrific for its old town. However, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc does not have a historic old town.

Avignon has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc does not have a historic old town.

Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon Better for Hiking?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Avignon is not a hiking destination.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Filled with panoramic views and breathtaking natural scenes, the hiking is among the best in the world. Some of the best hikes in the area include Plan de l'Aiguille - Montenvers Train Mer de Glace, Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve Hiking, and any of the "Glacier Views" Hikes.

Avignon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon?

Avignon is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Avignon. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon Better for Families?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. The mountains are the perfect playground for families. Kids will love the gondolas, chairlifts, and kid-friendly hikes that take them over rocks and to spectacular viewpoints. This is the perfect addition to a European family vacation.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Avignon. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon Better for Couples?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is renowned for couples. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Nature-lovers, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts will love a couples vacation to Chamonix. The setting is romantic and filled with adventures for thrill-seekers.

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.

Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. You'll find a nice selection of hostels with affordable dorms and fun atmospheres.

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

Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc has a great public transit system. It's easy to explore the region by public transport. There are buses and trains available, most of which are free with a local transport card.

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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon a more walkable city?

Avignon is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a very walkable destination. It's generally walkable and there are plenty of walking trails outside of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Worth Visiting? and Is Avignon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Chamonix-Mont-Blanc?

How long in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc than Avignon because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, and 1-2 days is enough time in Avignon.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc.

One day in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon?

In Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, you'll find food and skiing. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This mountain town 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 with plenty to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon?

In Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, you'll find skiing and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Many people visit Avignon for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon?

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chamonix-Mont-Blanc has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Because Avignon is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. In Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, you'll find food and skiing. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Since Avignon is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers something for everyone. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or Avignon?

Avignon has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. When comparing the sizes of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc 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.