Things to see in Avignon
Attractions
Musée Angladon
Set inside a handsome 18th-century mansion, this museum is home to a remarkable collection of 18th-, 19th- and 20th-century art. Works include masterpieces by Degas, Daumier, Sisley, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Picasso and Modigliani. On the first floor, the rooms of the house are immaculately furnished and decorated in period style.
Address: , 5 rue Laboureur, Avignon,Telephone: +33 4 9082 2903.
Opening times:
Tues-Sun 1300-1800 (summer); Wed-Sun 1300-1800 (winter).
Website: http://www.angladon.comAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Pont St Bénezet (St Bénezet Bridge)
"Sur le pont d'Avignon on y danse, on y danse" – the old song still draws visitors to this 12th-century bridge, formally known as Pont St Bénezet. Only four of its original 22 arches remain, leaving the bridge uncompleted in the middle of the Rhone. Its Chapelle St Nicholas should not be missed. Its museum contains a 3D exhibition.
Address: , Rue Ferruce, Avignon,Telephone: +33 4 9027 5107.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-1900 (1 Sep-1 Nov); daily 0930-1745 (2 Nov-28 Feb); daily 0900-1830 (Mar); daily 0900-1900 (1 Apr-30 Jun); daily 0900-2000 (Jul); daily 0900-2030 (Aug).
Website: http://www.avignon-pont.com/enAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: Yes
Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes)
More fortress than palace, this mighty landmark looms above Avignon. The square in front is the impressive setting for the Avignon Festival. Built for popes who decamped from Rome to Avignon in the 14th century, it combines two structures – the austere 'Old Palace' and the extravagantly gothic 'New Palace'.
Address: , Place du Palais des Papes, Avignon,Telephone: +33 4 3274 3274.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-1900 (1 Sep-1 Nov); daily 0930-1745 (2 Nov-29 Feb); daily 0900-1800 (Mar); daily 0900-1900 (1 Apr-30 Jun); daily 0900-2000 (Jul); daily 0900-2030 (Aug).
Website: http://www.avignon-pont.com/enAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: Yes
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
Buses link Avignon with its suburban villeneuve (new town) across the Rhône in Languedoc. Originally Villeneuve allowed the King of France to keep an eye on the popes on the far side of the river. It soon became a pleasant village with luxurious residences, a fort, a monastery and lavish gardens.
Address: , Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, Avignon,Telephone: +33 4 9025 6133.
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website: http://www.ot-villeneuvelezavignon.frAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Île de la Barthelasse (Barthelasse Island)
Peaceful Île de la Barthelasse, Europe's largest river island, rests between two arms of the Rhône. Easily reached on foot, by bus or by a free ferry, the island is Avignon's principal leisure spot. There are parks, cycle paths, waterside walks, and campsites, plus restaurants and sports facilities, including boat and bike hire.
Address: , , Avignon,Telephone:
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website:Admission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Rocher des Doms
The ramps from the Palais des Papes lead to the Rocher des Doms, site of Avignon's earliest settlement. The rocky area was landscaped in the 18th century into a pleasant shady plateau with an artificial rock garden. Terraces were laid out in the 20th century, offering views of the Rhône, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and the Alpilles.
Address: Above Place du Palais, , Avignon,Telephone:
Opening times:
Daily 0730-1730 (Jan and Dec); daily 0730-1800 (Feb and Nov); daily 0730-1900 (Mar); daily 0730-2000 (Apr-May and Sept); daily 0730-2100 (Jun-Aug); daily 0730-1830 (Oct).
Website:Admission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Musée Calvet (Calvet Museum)
Housed in a splendid 18th-century mansion, Musée Calvet displays a varied collection of artworks from the 15th to the 20th century. It ranges from fine arts to decorative crafts such as tapestry, jewellery and porcelain, as well as works by Corot, Manet, Sisley and Modigliani. It has a remarkable archaeology collection too.
Address: , 65 rue Joseph Vernet, Avignon,Telephone: +33 4 9086 3384.
Opening times:
Wed-Mon 1000-1300 and 1400-1800.
Website: http://www.musee-calvet-avignon.comAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Musée du Petit Palais (Little Palace Museum)
On the northern end of place du Palais, the Little Palace Museum houses an impressive collection of frescoes and Italian art from the 13th to 16th centuries, including works by Botticelli and Carpaccio. The Angel of the Annunciation, by Sano Di Pietro, is one of its most remarkable paintings.
Address: Place du Palais des Papes, Palais des Archevêques, Avignon,Telephone: +33 4 9086 4458.
Opening times:
Wed-Mon 1000-1300 and 1400-1800.
Website: http://www.petit-palais.orgAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Musée Louis Vouland (Louis Vouland Museum)
Art collector Louis Vouland (1883-1973) bequeathed his 19th-century townhouse and huge collection of arts and crafts to the state. His home was restored and opened in 1982, displaying quirky 17th- and 18th-century decorative arts. A dainty travel tea set in Sèvres faïence, which belonged to the Comtesse du Barry, steals the show.
Address: , 17 rue Victor Hugo, Avignon,Telephone: +33 4 9086 0379.
Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1400-1800.
Website: http://www.vouland.comAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Collection Lambert en Avignon
Housed in the Musée d'Art Contemporain, this collection contains work by many of the world's leading contemporary artists, including Cy Twombly, Sol LeWitt, Donald Judd, Niele Toroni, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Anselm Kiefer, Christian Boltansky, Nan Goldin and Douglas Gordon. The museum was greatly expanded ahead of its reopening in July 2015.
Address: , 5 rue Violette, Avignon,Telephone: +33 4 9016 5620.
Opening times:
Daily 1100-1900 (Jul-Aug); Tue-Sun 1100-1800 (Sep-Jun).
Website: http://www.collectionlambert.comAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Office de Tourisme d'Avignon
Address: , 41 cours Jean Jaurès, Avignon, 84004Telephone: +33 4 3274 3274.
Opening times:
Mon-Sat 0900-1800; Sun 1000-1700 (Apr-Oct); Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1000-1200 (Nov-Mar).
Website: http://www.avignon-tourisme.comThe tourist office has an extensive selection of brochures on sights, accommodation and restaurants, as well as information on what to do in the Vaucluse department. It can also arrange tours of the city and surrounding area.
Tourist passes
The free Avignon PASSion card offers discounts at attractions and concessions on tourist transport. Available from participating museums and the tourist office, markdowns take effect once the holder visits the first attraction at full-price. Participating sights include Musée Calvet, Musée Vouland, Musée du Petit Palais, Palais des Papes and Pont St Bénezet. The pass is valid for two weeks
