Things to do in Avignon's old town
The old town is small enough to cover on foot. Most of the things to do in Avignon sit close together: the palace, the bridge, the rock above the river and the ramparts. Allow a full day for them, or two if you also want a tasting.
Book ahead for the big monument. Palais des Papes tickets and hours are on their own page, and Côtes du Rhône wine tours from Avignon cover the tastings. With a car, park at one of the free park-and-ride lots and walk or take the shuttle. The tourist office recommends parking and walking on.
The old town and the ramparts
What to see without leaving the walls.
The Palais des Papes
The palace and the papal gardens are open every day. The last admission is one hour before closing. From 1 March to 1 November the hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tickets and hours →Pont Saint-Bénézet
Four of the original 22 arches remain. You walk out on the fragment and cannot cross the river. The last admission is 30 minutes before closing.
The bridge →The Rocher des Doms
The rock above the Rhône reopened on 28 February 2026 after the first restoration phase. More work is planned before summer 2027, so some paths may be closed.
A walk along the ramparts
The tourist office publishes a walk called Tour des remparts. It follows the walls at street level. Do not count on a walkway on top of the wall all the way round.
A tasting workshop
Tasting workshops are held in the Carré du Palais, opposite the palace. Each one has a fixed date, so book a date.
The festival
The 80th Festival d'Avignon ran from 4 to 25 July 2026. Check the organiser for the next dates.
Our pick: the Avignon city pass
One pass covers the palace, the bridge and several museums, including sights across the river in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Avignon tours and day trips
Palace visits, wine tastings and day trips from Avignon, with live prices and availability.
Day trips from Avignon
Six places within reach, with their own admission rules.
| Trip | What you see | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Châteauneuf-du-Pape | Wine village and castle ruin; bus 902 to Sorgues, then 922 | Ruin freely accessible |
| Pont du Gard | Roman aqueduct bridge and discovery areas | Bridge access free, parking €9 per vehicle, discovery areas €8 |
| Vaison-la-Romaine | Ancient sites, Roman bridge, upper town | Pass €9, ages 10–17 €4, valid 24 hours |
| Orange | Roman theatre with audio guide and museum | €11.50, reduced €9.50 |
| Les Baux-de-Provence | Carrières des Lumières exhibition site and the castle of Les Baux | €16.50, with the castle €21 |
| Mont Ventoux | 1,910 m summit, road climbs and hikes | – |
For most visitors with one spare day, Châteauneuf-du-Pape or the Pont du Gard is the easiest trip. Both have free access to their main sight, and each is described on its own page.
Notes for each day trip
What to check before you go.
Pont du Gard
Parking costs €9 per vehicle and not per person. The discovery areas are closed in January, February, November and December, with the winter break starting on 2 November 2026. Jumping from the bridge and swimming right under the monument are banned.
Vaison-la-Romaine
From April to September the ancient sites are open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. In March and October the hours are split by a lunch break. Several free car parks lie near the excavations.
Mont Ventoux
The summit road is normally closed from mid-November to spring, also for bikes. In winter, a summit hike from Mont Serein takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, only in suitable weather and with the right fitness.
Uzès and the Luberon
Uzès has a Saturday market from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in 2026. Luberon villages include Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lourmarin, Oppède-le-Vieux, Ménerbes and Lacoste.
Lavender
The bloom depends on year, height and weather, and harvest can end it. Fields are private, so stay on paths and do not walk between the rows.
Lavender fields →
Things to do in Avignon: frequently asked questions
Where do I start in Avignon?
Start with the Palais des Papes and the Pont d'Avignon. The combined ticket costs €19.50 for adults in 2026 and runs until the next day.
Can I walk on the Avignon ramparts?
You can walk along them at street level on the Tour des remparts. Do not count on a walkway on top of the wall all the way round.
Is the Rocher des Doms open?
It reopened on 28 February 2026 after the first restoration phase. More work is planned before summer 2027, so check for closed paths.
Which day trip from Avignon is the easiest?
Châteauneuf-du-Pape lies on a bus route via Sorgues, and the ruin is freely accessible. The Pont du Gard has free access to the bridge, with parking at €9 per vehicle.
Where do I park for the old town?
The park-and-ride lots Italiens and Piot are free, each with a free shuttle. Underground car parks around the ramparts have a height limit of 1.90 m.