Avignon is the one city that everyone visits when they go to the Provence. The strange thing is that although there are a lot of tourists, it is a very agreeable place to spend a day or two. There are many beautiful churches (such as the Eglise Saint-Pierre) and wonderful museums (e.g. the Musée Calvet).
A visit to the Palais des Papes (the Palace of the Popes) is a must if you are in Avignon. It’s hard to avoid it – the palace – which is really a fortress – dominates the city. Pope Clement V chose Avignon as his residence in 1309 and this is where the Popes lived until 1378.
The palace was built between 1335 and 1364, and covers 11,000 square meters. You need more than an hour to see all of the rooms and chapels inside. I was impressed by how much has been restored, especially the frescoes in the pope’s living quarters.
In July, Avignon hosts one of the largest theater festivals in the world so if you are planning on visiting the city, make sure you have hotel and restaurant reservations made in advance.
Otherwise you can also try to find a place to stay across the river in Villeneuve-les-Avignon, which has palaces, churches and the Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction, a 14th century Carthusian monastery (a must-see).
Recommendations in Avignon
Restaurants
Christian Etienne: 10 rue de Mons (right across the Palais des Papes) – recommended by Andy Abramson, this is probably the best place to have dinner in town
Chez Floriane: 2 rue Petite Fusterie Рtrendy and stylish restaurant/salon de th̩, perfect for lunch or tea in the afternoon
Shops
Calabrese: 9 Place Nicolas Saboly – home accessories store off one of the main shopping streets
