A Travel Price Comparison for France Lyon vs. Avignon for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Nightlife

Should you visit Lyon or Avignon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Avignon, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lyon

Lyon is a beautiful, cultural, and quaint city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Avignon

Avignon is a picturesque, historical, and quaint 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.

Lyon and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Avignon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lyon than Avignon, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Lyon is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Avignon is known for its small town charm. Lyon is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. It is also home to The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Avignon is popular for its architectural beauty and historical importance.

How is Lyon different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the world-class sights and museums in both Lyon and Avignon.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Lyon are among the most recognizable in the world. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Avignon has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Lyon and Avignon can be difficult as they are each world-class in their own way.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lyon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

Many restaurants in Avignon have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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 Lyon or Avignon Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Lyon has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

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 Lyon or Avignon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon and Avignon both have world-class historical old towns that attract visitors.

Lyon offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

Avignon has a world-famous historical area. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Avignon?

Lyon 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 Lyon. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

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 Lyon or Avignon Better for Families?

Lyon 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 Lyon. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

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 Lyon or Avignon Better for Couples?

Lyon and Avignon are both great to visit as a couple.

Lyon is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Avignon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Is Lyon or Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon 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 Lyon. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

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 Lyon or Avignon Better for Students?

Lyon is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Avignon is not popular with students.

Lyon is a very popular place to visit for students. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

Avignon is not popular with students.

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

Lyon 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.

Lyon has a great public transit system. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

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 Lyon or Avignon a more walkable city?

Avignon is an amazing town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

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

Lyon is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Avignon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lyon or Avignon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lyon 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 Lyon, and 1-2 days is enough time in Avignon.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon 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 Lyon.

One day in Lyon or Avignon?

Because Lyon is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 museums and food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Lyon or Avignon?

Because Lyon is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lyon has to offer.

Avignon is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Lyon or Avignon?

Lyon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lyon has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Avignon is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. 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 Lyon or Avignon?

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

Because Avignon is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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 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 Lyon and Avignon, we can see that Avignon is more expensive. And not only is Lyon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lyon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lyon 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 Lyon.

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

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Avignon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Avignon. When comparing the sizes of Lyon 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 Lyon 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 Lyon or Avignon in the Summer?

Both Avignon and Lyon during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Avignon in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lyon is around the same temperature as Avignon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lyon in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Avignon averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Avignon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lyon. In the summer, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 354 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets more rain in July than Avignon. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Avignon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Avignon. Many visitors come to Lyon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Avignon for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Lyon is generally cooler than Avignon. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 14°C (56°F), and Avignon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during autumn. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Avignon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lyon usually receives less rain than Avignon. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lyon or Avignon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Avignon. Most visitors come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Avignon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lyon can be very cold during winter. Lyon is much colder than Avignon in the winter. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Avignon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 146 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets less rain in January than Avignon. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Avignon in the Spring?

Both Avignon and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Lyon because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to Avignon this time of year.

In the spring, Lyon is cooler than Avignon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lyon in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Avignon averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Avignon. Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during spring. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lyon usually receives more rain than Avignon. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Avignon and Lyon