Are you thinking about visiting Avignon, France? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Avignon worth visiting?
Yes, it's worth visiting this town for one to two days because of the many great activities. Avignon is a town in the region of Provence that dates back to the 1300s. It sits along the Rhône River and is filled with history and beautiful landmarks.
Pont d'Avignon, France
Reasons to Visit Avignon
Museums
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.
Food
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.
Historical Sights
The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.
Shopping
There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.
Is Avignon worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the high season for travel in Avignon, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is quite touristy, so in the high season it's busier than usual. You'll see larger crowds and longer lines, as well as higher prices. On the other hand, there's plenty to see and do at this time of year because everything is open.
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 24°C (75°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 29°C (84°F).
Don't miss the small town charm during summer. Just take some time to wander through the local shops and see the historic landmarks around town when the weather is nice. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable town, especially in the nice weather. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to soak up the small town charm, browse through museums, and browse around the old town.
Summer Weather in Avignon
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 24°C (75°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| August | 23°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| September | 20°C (69°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
Is Avignon worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Avignon. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.
Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during autumn, and temperatures hover around 16°C (61°F).
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. During this season it's fun to experience the historic old town, the famous sights and museums, and the small town charm.
Autumn Weather in Avignon
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| November | 11°C (51°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| December | 7°C (45°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Is Avignon worth visiting in the Winter?
The weather in Avignon can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 7°C (44°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
The low season for travel in Avignon is during the winter. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
This is a great time of year to browse the museums, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and admire the historic sights.
Winter Weather in Avignon
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 7°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| February | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| March | 10°C (50°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
Is Avignon worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Avignon. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 13°C (56°F).
Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, spend time at the museums, and explore the small town. Also, you can browse around the old town.
Spring Weather in Avignon
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 13°C (56°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| June | 21°C (69°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Avignon
Nightlife: Most people don't associate Avignon with a lively nightlife scene. 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.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Avignon might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Avignon here or see if Avignon is expensive here.
Related
What is Avignon most famous for?
Avignon is most famous for its architectural beauty and historical importance. People visit this impressive town for its great museums, food, and historical sights. Many people love the shopping, too. It is often described as historical, quaint, charming, scenic, and picturesque.
What is the most famous sight in Avignon?
The most popular sight in Avignon is Palais des Papes. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Avignon on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Palais des Papes and other attractions here.
How touristy is Avignon? Is it a popular town to visit?
Avignon is a popular town for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Half-Day Baux de Provence and Luberon Tour from Avignon: $93
- A Tour in Provence in a typical French motorized bike : the Solex: $46
- Wine and Cheese Tour in Vaison-la-Romaine and Séguret from Avignon: $175
- Avignon private guided tour: $273
- Provence Highlights Full-Day Tour from Avignon: $142
- Half-Day Van Gogh Tour of Provence from Avignon: $87
- Half-Day Tour from St Rémy-de-Provence by Electric Bike with Carrière de Lumiere: $49
- Châteauneuf du Pape Wine Day Tasting Tour including Lunch from Avignon: $175
How long should I spend in Avignon?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Avignon is one to two days. Since Avignon has a variety of activities such as museums, dining, and historical sights, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Avignon? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Avignon?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.