A Travel Price Comparison for France Saint-Etienne vs. Avignon for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a authentic, historic, and park-filled city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, 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.

Saint-Etienne and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Avignon?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Avignon than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Avignon, Avignon has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Avignon is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Saint-Etienne is known for its nightlife, hiking, and impressive beauty. Avignon is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its architectural beauty and historical importance. It is also home to Palais des Papes. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Avignon?

Avignon is an amazing town to visit for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Avignon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Avignon is an amazing town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Avignon Better for Nightlife?

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

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 Saint-Etienne or Avignon Better for its Old Town?

Avignon is an amazing town to visit for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Avignon offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Avignon Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Avignon is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne offers some nice hiking trails. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Avignon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Avignon?

Avignon is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or Avignon Better for Families?

Both Saint-Etienne and Avignon are good family-friendly destinations.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Avignon is a family-friendly place to visit. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

Is Saint-Etienne or Avignon Better for Couples?

Avignon is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Avignon is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

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

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

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

Saint-Etienne and Avignon both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Avignon has a few public transit options. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Avignon a more walkable city?

Avignon is an amazing town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Avignon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Avignon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint-Etienne or Avignon to fill your time. In our opinion, Avignon has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Avignon than Saint-Etienne. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Avignon than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Avignon?

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find nightlife and museums. 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.

Even though Avignon is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Avignon?

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 Saint-Etienne has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Avignon. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Avignon?

Saint-Etienne 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.

Avignon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Avignon?

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

Avignon is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Avignon?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 96% larger than the population of Avignon. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Avignon?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Avignon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Avignon. The summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Avignon this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Avignon this time of the year. In Saint-Etienne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during summer. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Avignon. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Avignon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Avignon. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Avignon for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

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

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 178 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Avignon. Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in October than Avignon. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Avignon in the Winter?

Both Avignon and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Avignon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. Saint-Etienne is much colder than Avignon in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Avignon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during winter. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Avignon. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Avignon in the Spring?

Both Avignon and Saint-Etienne during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Avignon for the small town charm during these months.

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

In Avignon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 218 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in April than Avignon. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Avignon and Saint-Etienne