Things to do in  Avignon

Renowned for its full-bodied reds, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of the breakout stars of the Rhône Valley wine region and a firm favorite among wine lovers. The hilltop village is undeniably picturesque, with its imposing castle, atmospheric medieval streets, and magnificent views over the vineyards below.

Reaching a height of almost 160 feet (49 meters), the three-tiered Pont du Gard bridge was part of a 31-mile (50-kilometer) Roman aqueduct network that carried water from a source at Eure to bathhouses, fountains, and patrician villas in Nîmes. Constructed in the first century, the ancient engineering marvel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Picturesque, colorful, and with astounding views of the countryside, this village in the Vaucluse couldn’t be more charmingly Provençal if it tried. Perched atop towering red cliffs and one of the world’s largest ocher quarries, Roussillon’s dramatic setting and historic Old Town have earned it a place among France’s most beautiful villages.

The largest Gothic palace in the world, Avignon’s Palace of the Popes (Palais des Papes) was home to the heads of the Roman Catholic Church in the 14th century. Visitors can tour the grand rooms, landscaped gardens, and secret passages used by members of the clergy, and see special exhibitions and concerts held at the palace.

The 12th-century Sénanque Abbey outside of Gordes is run by a small community of Cistercian monks who fastidiously grow, harvest and process lavender from the surrounding fields. Come June, thongs of visitors arrive to lay witness to the enormously beautiful and fragrant landscapes and the abbey’s impressive botanical production.

Located in southwest Provence, the Camargue is one of France’s wildest and most scenic landscapes. Protected as a regional natural park, the expanse of wetlands, beaches, salt pans, and rice paddies is known for its herds of white Camargue horses and Camargue bulls, all tended to by localgardians (cowboys).

With a history dating back to the Bronze Age, Nimes is one of France’s oldest cities. Its Roman ruins—which include the UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard aqueduct and Colosseum-inspired Arènes de Nîmes—still take centerstage in the modern city.

The Saint Benezet Bridge, better known as the Pont d’Avignon is Avignon’s most famous landmark, immortalized in the popular French children’s song. Only a small section of the original bridge across the Rhone river remains.

With its white-stone buildings, Renaissance architecture, and traditional French market, Uzès is a picturesque pocket of Languedoc that’s all-too-often overlooked by visitors. The city’s Roman roots link it to the region’s most memorable monument, the UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard aqueduct, which delivered water from Uzès to Nîmes in ancient times.

Perched beside the magnificent Palace of the Popes (Palais des Papes) right next door, Avignon Cathedral (Cathedrale Notre-Dame des Doms) is the oldest monument of the medieval palace complex. The cathedral dates to the 12th century and is renowned for its Romanesque style and a bell tower capped with a 30-foot (6-meter) gilded statue of the Virgin Mary.

The French town of Orange is a popular destination known not only for its sunny, picturesque charm, but also for its long history. Visit to see it’s impressive Roman architecture, which include some of the world’s most notable examples outside of Rome itself.

Perched on top of a huge rock, Les Baux-de-Provence is one of France’s most beautiful villages—and one of the region’s most popular destinations. Aside from the impressive location and panoramic views, visitors to the village can enjoy the unique Carrières des Lumières art installation, where images of famous artworks and photography are projected onto sheer walls of rock.

Across dozens of aromatic stalls, Avignon’s famous Les Halles Market offers a cornucopia of Provençal culinary delicacies including cheeses of all kinds, meats, fruits, vegetables, breads, tapanades, olives, oysters, foie gras, and sea salt perfumed with lavender or rose petals. Look for the wine bar whose facade is covered in a frothy vegetable garden designed by botanist Patrick Blanc.

Lourmarin Castle (Château de Lourmarin) is a castle in the village of the same name in the Luberon region of southern France. Originally built as a medieval fortress in the 12th century, the Renaissance-style castle draws visitors today with its remarkable stonework, gorgeous gardens, and summer concerts on the castle terrace.

Within the Camargue region in the South of France, Les Saintes Maries de la Mer is located where the Rhône river meets the Mediterranean Sea. This popular summertime beach destination is a great base from which to explore the outstanding natural beauty of the coastline and natural reserve.