Avignon in 1 day - Walking tour with route map of the must-sees

That's it, it's decided, on the occasion of a weekend in Provence, a Camargue, a Ardèche or your next vacation in the South of France, you will 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:

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 small budgets, I discovered a tip for cheap accommodation at 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.

Good plan to visit Avignon inexpensively
How to visit Avignon from the other side of the Rhône

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

visit Avignon inexpensively

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 fromHotel Cloitre Saint Louis that I had chosen because it is ideally placed to make this small circuit (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 ...

Avignon historic center

Roure Palace

This magnificent Palace of the 15nd century has now become a museum on Provençal culture, its history, traditions, language and literature.

Visit Avignon on foot step Roure Palace

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.

Stopover at Saint Pierre Church during my visit to Avignon in 1 day

The Palace of the Popes

Here we are facing the largest gothic palace in the world !

papal palace unmissable stage of my Avignon tour in 1 day

Built in just 70 years, the Palais des Papes is a fortress + a palace. It is the former residence of many Popes who succeeded there during the 14nd century.

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

papal palace unmissable stage of my Avignon tour in 1 day
Visit Avignon on foot - Inside the Palais des Papes
Visit Avignon with my walking route - Cité des Papes

For this visit rich in historical explanations and anecdotes of all kinds, I advise you to take with your ticket (included in the price), the digital tablet Histopad. Indeed, it will allow you to relive in a fun and interactive way the splendor of the papal court in the XNUMXth century!

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 Notre Dame des Doms Basilica, a stopover in my walking itinerary

The Rocher des Doms

The Rocher des Doms is a beautiful park in the 17nd century of 2,8 hectares located on a rocky outcrop above the Palais des Papes. You have to go there to cool off, enjoy the tranquility of the gardens, the panoramic terrace and the pond. From the paved terrace, you can have a magnificent panorama of the surroundings of Avignon, the Rhône valley and Fort Saint André.

How to visit Avignon - View from the Belvedere

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.

visit avignon and its famous bridge

Stay in Avignon - Which hotel to choose?

For its historic and elegant building (from 16nd century), for its ideal location in the historic center of Avignon, for its restaurant, for its superb swimming pool and for its green environment in the city center, it is definitely the Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis Avignon which I chose.

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

Visit around Avignon - Fort Saint André

If you have time in your weekend in Avignon, do not miss the Fort Saint Andre.

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.

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