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

Should you visit Toulouse or Avignon?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Toulouse and Avignon can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a vibrant, friendly, and relaxed city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Avignon

Avignon is a historical, quaint, and charming town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Toulouse and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulouse or Avignon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toulouse than Avignon. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Toulouse is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Avignon attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm. Avignon is more touristy than Toulouse and is known for its architectural beauty and historical importance. Toulouse is famous for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. It is also well known for Basilique Saint-Sernin.

How is Toulouse different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Avignon is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Toulouse. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

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

Both Toulouse and Avignon offer a number of fantastic restaurants to choose from.

Many restaurants in Toulouse have been singled out for their culinary prowess. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

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.

Is Toulouse or Avignon Better for Nightlife?

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

Toulouse has a large number of nightlife venues. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

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 Toulouse or Avignon Better for its Old Town?

Avignon is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its 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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Toulouse. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulouse or Avignon?

Toulouse 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 Toulouse. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

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 Toulouse or Avignon Better for Families?

Toulouse 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 Toulouse. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

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 Toulouse or Avignon Better for Couples?

Both Toulouse and Avignon are very good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Toulouse is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

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

Is Toulouse or Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Avignon is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination for backpackers.

Avignon is a good town to visit for backpackers. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Toulouse or Avignon Better for Students?

Toulouse is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Avignon is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Toulouse. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

Avignon is not popular with students.

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

Toulouse and Avignon both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Toulouse offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

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

Is Toulouse or Avignon a more walkable city?

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

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.

Toulouse is very walkable. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Toulouse?

How long in Toulouse or Avignon?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Avignon than Toulouse. 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 Toulouse 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 Toulouse or Avignon?

In Toulouse, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Toulouse or Avignon?

In Toulouse, you'll find food and shopping. 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. 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 Toulouse 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 Toulouse or Avignon?

Toulouse is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 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 Toulouse or Avignon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulouse. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Toulouse. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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.

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 Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Toulouse or Avignon?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulouse and Avignon. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Toulouse this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Avignon for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as Avignon in the summer. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Avignon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Avignon this time of the year. In Toulouse, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during summer. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Toulouse usually receives more rain than Avignon. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Toulouse or Avignon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Toulouse as well as Avignon. Many travelers come to Toulouse for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Avignon in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Toulouse is around the same temperature as Avignon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Toulouse in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Avignon averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Toulouse gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 178 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Avignon. Toulouse usually gets less rain in October than Avignon. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Avignon in the Winter?

Both Avignon and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Toulouse in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Avignon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Toulouse is generally around the same temperature as Avignon. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 6°C (44°F), and Avignon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during winter. Toulouse gets 88 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Avignon. Toulouse gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Toulouse or Avignon in the Spring?

Both Avignon and Toulouse during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Toulouse for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Avignon because of the small town charm.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as Avignon in the spring. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Avignon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Avignon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Toulouse gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 218 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets more rain in April than Avignon. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Avignon and Toulouse