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Top 10 Things to do in Avignon

There are a lot of things you can consider when thinking of the top 10 things to do in Avignon. You could learn about the history or culture of the city or country, or learn about the people who live there or their ancestors. If you are from a colder climate you may like to relax in the sun many people from the north of Europe or North America often travel to warmer places and visit beaches. There are those who travel to do an activity which they cannot do at home like windsurfing and snorkelling. If you know people in the town you visit you may sometimes visit with friends and family as a change in scenery is always good.

Avignon, a small city filled with history and full of life, better known as the capital of the Vaucluse and the Côtes du Rhône. The medieval streets are clad in houses and private mansions hailing from the renaissance era. The city is packed with diverse dining opportunities from affordable family-run establishments to top of the range Michelin-starred chef restaurants. Experience the city best by exploring the Popes’ Palace, all the episcopal buildings and the Saint Bénézet Bridge which are listed as world heritage sites by UNESCO.  Let’s go through some of the top 10 things to do in Avignon.

1. Visit Pont Saint-Benezet

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Visit Pont Saint-Bénézet, the famous Pont d’Avignon was initially built in the late 11th century and then re-built multiple times due to war and floods and ultimately abandoned in the 17th century. Of the 22 arches that spanned the Rhône between Avignon and Villeneuve-lès-Avignon only four remaining arches and a chapel dedicated to Saint Nicolas remain. The bridge together with the papal palace was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995.

2. Take A Nature Walk

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The Luberon region is protected by a Regional Nature Park. The park extends over 165,000 hectares and covers the Vaucluse and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Also designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, Luberon possesses a considerable variety of animal and plant species, some of them very rare, not forgetting the Luberon mountain which peaks at the Mourre Nègre, at an altitude of 1,125 metres.

3. Explore an Archaeological Site

Archaeotourism or Archaeological tourism is a form of cultural tourism, which aims to promote public interest in archaeology and the conservation of historical sites. The famed Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard, is a short 20-minute drive outside of Avignon and is a must-see. Here you can explore the aqueduct from all angles and marvel at the ancient craftsmanship while walking across the bridge itself. A museum is also on-site and is included in the admission.

4. Visit Wildlife At A Park

Are you a wildlife enthusiast? The Camargue Natural Park area near Arles is a short 20-minute train ride from Avignon. Here, you can see thousands of flamingos, wild white horses and hundreds of other species while exploring this vast saltwater plane between the Rhone River and the Mediterranean.

5. Visit the Palace of the Popes

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A landmark site you cannot go without exploring is The Palace of the Popes (The Pope, also known as the Supreme Pontiff, or the Roman Pontiff, is the Bishop of Rome, leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, and head of state representing the Holy). This is the largest gothic palace in the world. It was here that seven popes resided from the years 1309 to 1377. Avignon remained under papal rule until the French Revolution when it joined France.

6. Visit Rue Des Teinturiers

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If you visit this beautiful city over the summer. Make sure to head to Rue des Teinturiers, which is lined by a canal and shaded by old sycamore trees. Once home to all of the town’s textile mills, the canal is filled with water wheels (A water wheel is a machine for converting the energy of flowing or falling water into useful forms of power, often in a watermill. A water wheel consists of a wheel (usually constructed from wood or metal), with a number of blades or buckets arranged on the outside rim forming the driving surface.) and the street lined with cafes. Rue des Teinturiers is the ideal street to cool off during summer’s blistering heat, and also catch up on the history of the town’s common folk.

7. Visit Villeneuve-Les-Avignon

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8. Take a Day Trip

Are you a fan of road trips? There are countless Provençal hill towns a short drive away and several can easily be visited in one day. If you are up to it, a day trip will need a rental car. You can then head east to visit the famous villages of Roussillon, Gordes and Les Baux. Make sure to bring good walking shoes, as cobblestones are expected on these hilltop wonders.

9. Tour Pont Du Gard

The famed Roman canal, Pont du Gard, is a 20-minute drive outside of Avignon and is a must-see. Here, you have the opportunity to view the canal from a 360-degree angle as you marvel at its ancient craftsmanship while walking across the bridge itself. A museum is also on-site guaranteeing plenty to see and learn.

10. Enjoy People Watching

People watching, also called crowd watching is the act of observing people and their interactions, usually without their knowledge. It involves picking up on idiosyncrasies to try to guess at another person’s story. This includes speech in action, relationship interactions, body language, expressions, clothing and activities. This is often a major pass time activity for tourists.

You can cap off your trip by taking a seat on a bench in Place Pie where you can take in locals and tourists alike perusing the restaurant offerings and visiting the Les Halles indoor market. Here, you can admire the hustle and bustle of the outdoor seating at the many bistros in the plaza as you take in the beauty that is Avignon.

You now know the top 10 things to do in Avignon. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article and that it has given you some insight into this magnificent city.