Avignon, Medieval city in Vaucluse, France
The town sits along the Rhône River, enclosed by stone walls with 39 towers and seven main gates that protect its historic core. Within these walls, narrow streets lined with old houses, squares, and churches spread out, while modern neighborhoods and bridges connect the area beyond the ramparts.
In the 14th century, popes left Rome and settled here for several decades, which prompted the construction of a large palace and the fortification of the town. After their return to Rome, this place remained an important center until France annexed it permanently in the 18th century.
Each July, theater groups take over courtyards, chapels, and side streets, filling the town with performances that run from morning until late at night. Locals meet visitors in cafés and squares where talk of shows and artists becomes part of everyday conversation during those weeks.
A station outside the old town offers fast connections to Paris and other major cities, while local buses link the center with surrounding neighborhoods. Visitors can explore the old town on foot, since most landmarks sit close together inside the walls.
An old bridge stops halfway across the river, after floods in the 17th century destroyed several arches and left only four of the original sections standing. Today, no path leads across, but visitors can walk onto the bridge and look out over the water and the town on the opposite bank from the final arch.
Location: arrondissement of Avignon
Location: Canton of Avignon-Est
Location: Canton of Avignon-Nord
Location: Canton of Avignon-Ouest
Location: Canton of Avignon-Sud
Location: Vaucluse
Location: Grand Avignon
Elevation above the sea: 25 m
Shares border with: Barbentane, Châteaurenard, Noves, Rognonas, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, Les Angles, Caumont-sur-Durance, Morières-lès-Avignon, Le Pontet, Sorgues
Address: Place de l'Horloge, 84000 Avignon
Phone: +33490808000
Email: allo.mairie@mairie-avignon.com
Website: http://avignon.fr
GPS coordinates: 43.94925,4.80590
Latest update: December 14, 2025 22:49
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Pont Saint-Bénézet
522 m
Palais des Papes
215 m
Avignon city wall
453 m
Avignon Cathedral
298 m
Fort Saint-André
2 km
Place Pie
326 m
Charterhouse Notre-Dame du Val de Bénédiction
2 km
Calvet Museum
312 m
Musée du Petit Palais
391 m
Rue des Teinturiers
799 m
Historic Centre of Avignon
393 m
Collection Lambert
509 m
Abbaye de Saint-Ruf d'Avignon
1.9 km
Abbaye Saint-André de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
2 km
Opéra d'Avignon
58 m
Église Saint Pierre
192 m
Monuments d'Avignon
379 m
Chateau de Barbentane
7.2 km
Tower of Philip the Fair
1.2 km
Halles d'Avignon
368 m
Palais du Roure
109 m
Chapelle de l'oratoire
216 m
Jardin des doms
421 m
Musée Angladon
362 m
Collégiale Saint Agricol
102 m
Church of the Célestins of Avignon
645 m
Synagogue d'Avignon
267 m
Maison Jean Vilar
70 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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