So, it's decided, on the occasion of a weekend in Provence , in Camargue , in Ardèche or your next holiday in the South of France , you are going to visit Avignon in 1 day.

And, to make the most of this day, you want to visit all the must-see attractions in Avignon by taking a short walking tour.

So here is my itinerary which allows you to discover the most beautiful places in Avignon in one day by following my route map (see below).

Visit Avignon in 1 day

To discover the magnificent city of Avignon, you have 2 possible choices:

• Visit Avignon in a group with a guide
• or visit Avignon on foot at your own pace by following my circuit which takes a full day and which I present to you below.

Indeed, visiting Avignon on foot can easily be done in 1 day. Indeed, all the sites of tourist interest are located in the old town within the ramparts and can therefore be discovered on foot. This is why I offer you a tour that you can do in 1 day (without visiting the museums) or in 2 days to have time to visit the museums.

Good plan to visit Avignon

For those on a budget, I discovered a tip for staying cheaply at the Pont d'Avignon campsite on the other side of the Rhône from the Cité.

In fact, from the campsite, you just need to take the free river shuttle at the end of the Chemin des Canotiers to be at the foot of the Cité des Papes.

In addition, from the bank, the view is splendid over the entire papal city!

Itinerary to visit Avignon in 1 day

My itinerary to visit Avignon in 1 day passes through the 10 must-see sites of the city:

• Morning visits:
  • The covered market in Avignon
  • The historic center
  • The Roure Palace
  • Saint Peter's Church
  • The Palace of the Popes
• Afternoon visits:
  • The Basilica Our
    Lady of the Doms
  • The Rocher des Doms
  • The panoramic belvedere
  • The Ramparts d'Avignon - La Porte du Rocher
  • Avignon bridge

I would have liked to add the visit to the Petit Palais museum which is located in the Archbishops' Palace, Place du Palais.

But frankly, it's difficult to properly visit this museum in just 1 day and by doing the tour that I propose below.

Tour to visit Avignon on foot

Here is the map of the walking tour which allows you to visit Avignon in one day:

Visits to do during your day in Avignon

Here are all the stages of my walking itinerary with information on each visit:

The covered Provençal market halls

My itinerary starts from the Hôtel Cloitre Saint Louis , which I chose because it is ideally located for this short tour (see details at the end of this article).

We will start the day with a visit to the covered market of Les Halles d'Avignon which forms a gigantic Provencal market with 40 traders proud to exhibit their local products.

It is early in the morning that I advise you to visit these halls (open from 6:00 a.m. to 13:30 p.m.), so you can soak up its effervescent atmosphere, its perfumes and its southern accent!

Avignon historic center

Now take the time to stroll through the alleys of the historic center as long as they are not yet invaded by tourists ...

Roure Palace

^{This magnificent 15th-} century palace has now become a museum about Provençal culture, its history, traditions, language and literature.

Church of Saint Peter

The Saint-Pierre church, built from 1385, cannot be visited inside. You will only be able to admire its architecture with in particular its Provencal Gothic facade and its large portals.

The Palace of the Popes

Here we are, facing the largest Gothic palace in the world!

Built in just 70 years, the Palace of the Popes is both a fortress and a palace. It is the former residence of many Popes who succeeded one another there during the 14th ^century.

Remember to book in advance on the Internet because places are limited and are given by appointment for a specific time.

For this visit, rich in historical explanations and anecdotes of all kinds, I recommend that you purchase the Histopad digital tablet with your ticket (included in the price) . It will allow you to relive the splendor of the papal court in the 14th century in a fun and interactive way!

The Basilica of Notre Dame des Doms

Built in the 1th century, modifications have been made over the centuries, such as the dome in the XNUMXth century, the choir in the XNUMXth century and the golden statue of Mary in the XNUMXth century. This basilica now houses the seat of the archbishopric of Avignon as well as the tombs of various popes. This visit deserves that we devote at least XNUMX hour to it.

The Rocher des Doms

The Rocher des Doms is a beautiful 17th-century park ^of 2,8 hectares situated on a rocky spur overlooking the Palais des Papes. It's a must-see for its refreshing atmosphere, tranquil gardens, panoramic terrace, and pond. From the paved terrace, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Avignon area, the Rhône Valley, and Fort Saint-André.

Panoramic belvedere over the Rhône

If you continue to climb, you will arrive at the Belvedere from where you will have the most beautiful view of the whole park.

The Ramparts d'Avignon - Porte du Rocher

The Porte du Rocher and the ramparts dating from 1355 form a fortification built against the invaders who threatened the city of Avignon in the Middle Ages. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ramparts surround the old papal town of Avignon.

Avignon bridge

The Pont Saint Bénézet or Pont d'Avignon has become popular thanks to its famous song "Sur le pont d'Avignon". It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. When the 12th century structure was built, the bridge was 900 meters long and connected the two banks of the Rhône. Today, it stops short before reaching the other bank and remains an essential site in the history of the city of Avignon.

To visit it, you can enjoy an audio-guided tour (included in the entrance ticket), films and exhibitions that tell the story of the bridge.

Stay in Avignon - Which hotel to choose?

For its historic and elegant building (from the 16th ^century ), for its ideal location in the historic center of Avignon, for its restaurant, for its superb swimming pool and for its green surroundings in the heart of the city, it is definitely the Hôtel Cloitre Saint Louis Avignon that I have chosen.

The added bonus : it is a 5-minute walk from the train station (very convenient when arriving by train) and for those who are in a car, this hotel also has private parking.

Visit around Avignon - Fort Saint André

If you have some time during your weekend in Avignon, don't miss Fort Saint André.

Just 4 km from the center of Avignon, Fort Saint André was built by Philippe le Bel in 1291. This fortified city is worth a short stopover for its terraces which offer an impressive view of the Rhône valley and the Cité d'Avignon. 'Avignon.