Avignon Things to Do Tips by BEETLE_VERTE

Go round and round... Place de l'Horloge Review

This must be a tourist trap... but I really enjoyed it. Completes the "old french" feeling I had about this city. In the central place, but I've seen it in other cities too, this carousel go round and round, surrounded with ice cream vendors and little bistro where to sip a kir...

Palais des Papes, inside... Palais des Papes Review

The guided tour inside the Palais des Papes takes place with a little carry-on radio that explains everything you see. Althought, I have to admit, it can be a bit confusing... I didn't where the "north wall" or the "east dinner room" was, or any technical vocabulary they used... But still, it was fun.

You get to see rooms, learn the history that took place here and feel how it was to live during those times.

And the mising pieces (from fire, destruction or pillage) they make up with light projection... great!

Palais des Papes Palais des Papes Review

This half fortress - half palace was build for a few popes, during a "misunderstanding" with Rome. No need to go into the details, you'll find out on your own there...

But before you take the guided tour inside...

Sip a drink at the feet of the palace, on one of the terrace, where the music and animation of artists will take you back in time so you can enjoy your visit.

Go in the backyard to a most fantastic garden and pond. Nice little bistro too. Great view on the Ventou mountain.

Walk behind the fortress where its walls mess with the city and the rocks.

You'll then be ready to dance on the Avignon's bridge!

La Camargue! Other towns & attractions near Avignon Review

Very different from everything you'll see in Provence. A bit too tourstic for my taste (souvenir shop and fortune teller), but very beautifull with a bohemian feeling. Go on sunday, you'll catch the fiesta, the meeting at the church Ste-Maries and maybe a corrida. But on monday and friday, you'll catch the market. Learn about the mythic creation of the city by 3 Maries (the city is called Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer, or holly Mary of the sea) and the action of the sea on the land.

Address: Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Arles Arles - near Avignon Review

It's name sound like a poem or a music. Walk trough it's streets, sit at its cafe, eat at its tables, visit its Arene, Amphiteatre, museum and gardens or window shop in its boutiques and you'll be sure! At the Voltaire square, you'll see the cafe (now called Van Gogh Cafe) that inspire a beautifull paint to Van Gogh (among others). Animation in the center of the square and the tables of all the cafes that meets under the trees will complete the picture!

Address: Place voltaire, Arles.

Gard Bridge (Pont du Gard) Pont du Gard Review

You'll see a magnificent part of an old aqueduc build arounr 19 BC that carried water from Uzes to Nimes. It's very impressive and you'll feel like Obelix or Asterix can turn the corner at any time! A little park under the trees is a wonderfull place to have a picnic. There's also a snak bar.

Address: Near Uzes.

Ardeche gorge. Other towns & attractions near Avignon Review

Deep and magnificent caves more than 40 km long. Set-up so it's easy to access (there is quite a few steps though!), the visit is breath taking. You'll walk the corridor of these cave, feeling the heat outside disapear as you go deeper. It's never humid or cold though. And you'll have the suprise of a very well planned sound and light show. Outside, you can rent a kayak and sail on the river who melted the moutain...!

Directions: 10 km from Saint-Marcel-Village, on the touristic road of l'Ardeche.