Avignon: A city pulsating with culture

Climate

As a town in the south of France, the climate is mild for much of the year. Winters can be very cold, especially when the Mistral is blowing. This untamable wind can show its face and reach record highs when it blows. For the fun of it, the locals say that when the wind blows for 3 days in a row, it will blow for the next 3 days, up to 9 days in all. This is the 3/6/9 rule. An old belief that has been proven true more than once.

When should I go?

April to October is the best time to visit the Papal city. With temperatures hovering around 31° in July, it can sometimes get very hot. But with the Mistral never far away, there's always a breeze to blow away any hot flushes (and we're not complaining!).

Avignon City Pass

This is a prepaid card that gives access to several of the city's attractions. It gives free access to the Petit Palais, Calvet, Requien, Palais du Roure and Lapidaire museums, as well as the Palais des Papes and Fort Saint André, among others.

Two packages are available: 24 hours or 48 hours, to suit your needs.

For more information, visit avignon-tourisme.com

Public transport

Like most major French cities, Avignon has a fairly comprehensive transport network. Trains, buses, shuttles and trams make it easy to get around the city. As the TGV station is located outside the city, a train links the infrastructure to the city centre in 5 minutes. On a more individual level, vélopop is the local bicycle network. Numerous stations are scattered around the city.

Avignon: what to bring back?

A box of papalines d'Avignon, confectionery in the form of a prickly pink thistle with fine chocolate and oregano liqueur inside.

Reminder

Take a cruise on the Rhône aboard one of the many boats to get a feel for the city and its region from the river. Crossing the Rhône between the boat stop at the foot of the Pont d'Avignon and the towpath on the Ile de la Barthelasse is free.

Safety

Like most cities in France, Avignon is not a dangerous place to live, but you still need to be vigilant. As everywhere, there can be poverty on the streets. Pickpockets are plentiful in tourist areas, as they are in Avignon, so it's best not to bring valuables with you. Avoid the Ariane and Moulins districts, which are far from the tourist areas and where the feeling of insecurity can be unpleasant, especially in the evening.

Accessibility

The city's tourist office has been awarded the "Tourisme & Handicap" label for its tours adapted for people with reduced mobility. The Pont d'Avignon offers 40-minute tours for people with motor and mental disabilities. Other monuments are taking part in this solidarity movement and adapting their guided tours. The city's museums, for example, have set up special tours and workshops for the visually and hearing impaired. And the garden at the Rocher des Doms has a wheelchair access ramp.