Travel Guides for Couples; Romantic Escapes, City Breaks + Worldwide Adventures

Green globe with a blue airplane icon

My Return Ticket

48 Hours In & Around Avignon: Medieval Streets, Fortresses & Provence Charm 🇫🇷 7-Day Road Trip Across France [Video]

Main Menu
A row of golden admit one tickets labeled 'my return ticket' with decorative edges.
VERDICT: We gave 5 out of 5 tickets and here’s why!

This guide forms part of our complete France Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across France.

This article is also part of our 🚗 7-Day France Road Trip series, exploring Orléans, Lyon, Avignon and Nice. Beginning at Paris CDG and then to the Loire Valley, our 1,000 kilometre adventure takes us through historic towns, iconic cities and one of France’s most famous beach fronts. Read the complete itinerary here.

From cobbled medieval lanes and Papal history to hidden fortresses and cliffside abbeys, Avignon delivered one of the most memorable stops of our France road trip.

48 hours in Avignon, France… and this medieval city completely surprised us. From towering Gothic palaces and ancient cobbled streets to hidden fortresses and breathtaking Rhône Valley views, this became one of the highlights of our road trip across France.

We drove into the parking lot of the Mercure Avignon Centre Palais des Papes and immediately noticed something different about this place. Bright, modern, casual, spotless… yet still warm and welcoming. The lobby had plenty of relaxing seating areas, including a sunny outdoor patio that instantly made us feel we’d made the right decision.

The front desk staff were friendly and efficient, introducing us to Les Gustave’s restaurant and the spa before we settled into our room complete with tea, coffee, kettle, coffee machine and even a small wine fridge. A nice touch after a long drive across France.

Dinner at Les Gustave’s was excellent despite the restaurant being packed. Andrew enjoyed perfectly grilled beef with roasted potatoes and winter vegetables, while I ordered artisanal spaghetti with celery cream, winter vegetables, truffle ham and Osso Iraty cheese shavings. Combined with local wine and attentive service, it was one of the better hotel dining experiences we’ve had in Europe.

The next morning we stepped into Avignon’s historic centre and immediately fell in love with the atmosphere. The narrow cobbled streets, known locally as calades, twist through the medieval city toward the towering Palais des Papes. Walking these stone lanes feels like stepping back into another era. Hidden courtyards, old fountains, artisan shops and ivy-covered walls appear around almost every corner.

Lavender’s popularity in the Avignon region is deeply rooted in Provence’s identity and is championed by local institutions that preserve its heritage . The words “Provence” and “lavender” have become nearly synonymous because the region has been a centre for its cultivation since the 16th century . The area east of Avignon, particularly the Luberon and Verdon plateau regions, is home to some of the world’s most iconic lavender fields. 

We appreciated how walkable the city felt. Unlike some larger European destinations where attractions can feel spread out and exhausting, Avignon encourages you to slow down. We spent hours simply wandering with no real plan, turning down narrow alleyways, discovering tiny cafés and stopping constantly for photographs. Around nearly every corner there seemed to be another medieval doorway, weathered stone building or quiet square filled with locals enjoying coffee under the Provençal sun. It never felt overly rushed or commercialized, which made the experience even more authentic.

Avignon is a city where history feels alive. Pilgrims, merchants and cardinals once walked these same streets during the time of the Papal Court. Today, visitors can explore everything from quiet squares to the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet, better known as the Pont d’Avignon.

One thing that surprised us was how connected Provence is to lavender culture. Around Avignon, particularly toward the Luberon region, lavender fields transform the landscape every summer into endless shades of purple. Even walking through the city, you constantly notice the scent of lavender soaps and local products drifting from small boutiques.

If you have extra time, a short drive across the Rhône takes you to Fort Saint-André. Built in the 14th century as a symbol of French royal power against the nearby Papal enclave, the fortress offers some of the best panoramic views back toward Avignon and the Rhône Valley. Massive towers, long defensive walls and even centuries-old prison graffiti remain remarkably preserved.

Information board for Fort Saint-André, featuring details about its history during the Middle Ages and the Modern period, alongside illustrations of medieval soldiers and artillery.

After leaving the Fort we passed one of the most significant hydroelectric developments north of Avignon. It is the Vallabrègues Dam and power station complex on the Rhône River. Located about 15 kilometers from Avignon, it produces an average of 1.3 billion kWh annually; approximately equivalent to the yearly consumption of the city of Nice.  

We later continued toward Abbaye Saint-Roman, a fascinating troglodyte monastery carved directly into limestone cliffs. Unfortunately the heat on the day we visited convinced us not to tackle the full hiking trail, but the views across the Rhône Valley alone were worth the drive. Sometimes travel is also about knowing when to slow down and simply enjoy the scenery.

What makes Avignon special is the contrast between history and lifestyle. One moment you are standing beside centuries-old fortifications or walking streets once used by cardinals and pilgrims, and the next you are enjoying wine on a sunny terrace while watching everyday life unfold around you. The city manages to feel historic without becoming overwhelming. Combined with nearby destinations like Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and Saint-Roman Abbey, it creates the perfect balance of culture, scenery, relaxation and adventure for a short stay in Provence.

Our 48 hours in and around Avignon were unforgettable. Relaxed, historic, welcoming and filled with incredible scenery, this part of Provence completely exceeded our expectations. And honestly… we already want a return ticket.

Interior view of a modern lounge area featuring comfortable seating, decorative items, and large windows bringing in natural light.

Avignon will entertain you for days!

A serving of grilled steak with a sprig of rosemary, accompanied by a cast iron skillet filled with roasted potatoes and mixed vegetables, presented on a wooden board.
A close-up of a cocktail in a glass with a pink frothy top, garnished with a purple flower and dark sprinkles, sitting on a marble surface.
A brochure for the Troglodyte Abbey of Saint-Roman, featuring a scenic view of the abbey on a hill overlooking the Rhône River, with text highlighting its historical significance and location in Beaucaire.
A stone bridge with arches spanning over a river, viewed from the roadside with bare trees in the foreground and a cloudy sky above.
A person photographing a historic stone archway with a gated entrance, surrounded by textured walls and a cobblestone path.
Entrance to a gourmet grocery store with shelves of products visible inside, a vintage delivery vehicle parked near the door, and various woven baskets displayed outside.
A large stone castle with two prominent towers, featuring a grand arched entrance and intricate details on the stone walls. The sky is cloudy, and a grassy area is visible in the foreground.

🎯 Top 4 Things to see and do in Avignon

  1. Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes): This imposing Gothic fortress-palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the heart of Avignon’s historical identity. As the seat of Western Christianity in the 14th century, it is the world’s largest Gothic palace.
  2. Rocher des Doms: Perched high above the city, this is the oldest public garden in Avignon. After a recent renovation, it offers stunning 360-degree panoramic views of the Rhône River, the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d’Avignon), and distant mountains like Mont Ventoux.
  3. Pont Saint-Bénézet (Avignon Bridge): Made famous by the song “Sur le pont d’Avignon,” this ruined medieval bridge originally had 22 arches. You can visit the remaining four arches and the small chapel of St. Nicholas.
  4. Les Halles d’Avignon: For an authentic taste of Provence, head to this vibrant covered food market. Open Tuesday to Sunday mornings, you can browse stalls overflowing with local cheeses, charcuterie, olives, and fresh produce. It’s the perfect spot to assemble a picnic lunch.

Day Trips: Iconic Villages, Roman Wonders, and Lavender Fields

The Luberon Hilltop Villages: Explore some of “the most beautiful villages of France.” Gordes is a stunning hilltop village with stone buildings, while Roussillon is famous for its striking red and ochre cliffs and colorful houses.

Senanque Abbey & Lavender Fields: Just a short drive from Gordes, this 12th-century Cistercian abbey is set in a valley and is famously surrounded by breathtaking lavender fields. The best time to see the lavender in full bloom is from mid-June to July.

Pont du Gard: A marvel of Roman engineering, this magnificent three-tiered aqueduct is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can walk across the top level and even swim in the Gardon River below during the summer.

Les Baux-de-Provence: Perched on a rocky spur in the Alpilles mountains, this medieval village is full of history and offers spectacular views. It is also home to the Carrieres de Lumieres, a stunning digital art show projected inside a former quarry.

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: This charming town is where Nostradamus was born and where Vincent van Gogh created some of his most famous paintings, including “The Starry Night.” You can visit the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum where he stayed.

Fontaine-de-Vaucluse: Located at the foot of a steep cliff, this village is home to the largest spring in France by volume. The crystal-clear emerald water surges from a mysterious cave, creating a powerful river that is a beautiful sight, especially in the spring.

Continue Exploring Southern France

Nearby Attractions

Planning Your Trip?

Before you go, don’t forget to book the essentials:

With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one nto five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.

France
Across Europe
Logo

Discover more from Travel guides for couples; romantic escapes, city breaks + worldwide adventures

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.