Last updated · Avignon (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 31 m elevation) commune guide reviewed by the FranceStarter editorial team
What to See & Do in Avignon (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur)
Avignon (INSEE 84007) sits at 31 m in the Vaucluse department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, drawing visitors to Palais des Papes and Pont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d'Avignon) with convenient rail access via Gare de Avignon (0.8 km). Travelers pair neighborhood boulangeries and markets in Avignon (pop. 92,378) with regional specialties including Côtes de Provence Rosé, Châteauneuf-du-Pape & Bandol AOC wines and Salade Niçoise, Socca chickpea pancake & Pan Bagnat.
In Avignon (Avignon (84007), 31 m elevation, pop. 92,378), top sights and local landmarks include Palais des Papes (0.3 km) · Pont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d'Avignon) (0.6 km) · Rocher des Doms (0.4 km) · Les Halles d'Avignon (0.4 km) · Musée du Petit Palais (0.5 km), alongside surrounding quartiers and hameaux such as Montfavet, Saint-Ruf, Saint-Véran, Fontcouverte, Le Pont des Deux Eaux. Within Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (Vaucluse), Avignon serves as a commune in provence-alpes-côte d'azur (Regional km², Urban/Town residents/km²) that pairs well with wider regional highlights including Nice Promenade des Anglais, Eze & Antibes on the Côte d'Azur, Marseille Vieux-Port & Calanques National Park, Avignon Palais des Papes, Aix-en-Provence, Luberon hilltop villages & Verdon Gorge.
- Nearby Landmarks & Monuments in Avignon: Palais des Papes (0.3 km) · Pont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d'Avignon) (0.6 km) · Rocher des Doms (0.4 km) · Les Halles d'Avignon (0.4 km) · Musée du Petit Palais (0.5 km)
- Local Quartiers, Villages & Lieux-dits (Avignon): Montfavet, Saint-Ruf, Saint-Véran, Fontcouverte, Le Pont des Deux Eaux
- Historic Core & Weekly Marché of Avignon: Stroll the central square around the Mairie, parish church, and morning market stalls in Avignon.
How to Get to Avignon: Nearest SNCF Station & Rail Access
Rail & road access for Avignon (43.9486°N, 4.8083°E): Nearest station is Gare de Avignon (0.8 km), connecting via the regional hub of Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles, Avignon TGV & Nice-Ville (SNCF TGV INOUI & TER Zou!). TGV Méditerranée from Paris Gare de Lyon to Avignon TGV (2h40), Aix-en-Provence TGV (2h55), Marseille (3h05) and Nice-Ville; Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE) & Marseille Provence (MRS) airports.
- SNCF TER & transit cards for Avignon: Once in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, SNCF TER regional trains and departmental coaches link Marseille with Avignon (Gare de Avignon (0.8 km)). Urban trams and buses accept contactless bank cards and regional passes (Navigo Easy in Paris, TCL in Lyon, Lignes d'Azur in Nice).
- Luggage & station storage near Avignon: Major SNCF hubs in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur offer consignes (left-luggage lockers). If stopping in Avignon between bases, verify bag dimensions in our SNCF & Airline Luggage Checker.
- Driving & car rental around Avignon: While Avignon centre-ville is accessible by rail and local bus, picking up a rental car at Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles, Avignon TGV & Nice-Ville (SNCF TGV INOUI & TER Zou!) makes it easy to explore rural vineyards, châteaux, and scenic passes across Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. See our Driving in France, Autoroute Tolls & Crit'Air Guide.
What Locals Eat in Avignon (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Specialties)
1. Signature Dish in Avignon (Entrée & Plat)
In Avignon (Vaucluse), traditional tables feature: Mediterranean and Provençal kitchen classics—Bouillabaisse de Marseille, Daube provençale, Ratatouille, Tian de légumes, Grand Aïoli, Salade Niçoise, wood-fired Socca, Pissaladière, and Pan Bagnat. Set inland in Vaucluse, kitchens around Avignon emphasize slow-simmered daubes, market herbs, truffles, and hillside vineyard reds.
2. Wine & Cellar Pairings Around Avignon
Around Avignon and across Vaucluse, local wine lists and cellar pairings highlight: Pale dry Côtes de Provence, Bandol and Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence rosés, prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas reds, Cassis coastal whites, and pastis apéritifs on sunny ports.
3. AOC / AOP Cheeses & Boulangerie in Avignon
At the weekly market and fromageries of Avignon (Vaucluse), look for: Nyons and Nice Cailletier olives and olive oil, Banon goat cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves, Sisteron lamb, Calissons d'Aix, Tarte Tropézienne, Menton IGP lemons, and candied Apt fruits.
4. Dining Rhythm & Market Hours in Avignon
Morning Provençal open-air markets fragrant with herbes de Provence and melons de Cavaillon, chilled rosé apéritifs beside pétanque courts, and late harbor-front seafood dinners. In Avignon (pop. 92,378), covered halles, neighborhood bistros, wine bars, and specialty pâtisseries across Vaucluse offer both great-value weekday lunch formules (€16–€24) and evening gastronomic tasting menus.
Across Avignon (Avignon (84007)) and the wider Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, look for bistro chalkboards featuring Salade Niçoise, Socca chickpea pancake & Pan Bagnat, Bouillabaisse de Marseille & grilled Mediterranean sea bass, Ratatouille, tapenade, aïoli & anchoïade, Calissons d'Aix, tropézienne tart & Menton citrus pastries, Côtes de Provence Rosé, Châteauneuf-du-Pape & Bandol AOC wines. For allergy cards or restaurant phrases in Avignon, use our French Phrasebook & Show-to-Staff Cards or practice speaking in Learn French for Travelers.
5 Nearest Neighboring Communes & Day Trips from Avignon
The 5 closest neighboring French communes (communes limitrophes) to Avignon (43.9486°N, 4.8083°E, 31 m elevation) for local day trips across Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur are:
- Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (2.3 km from Avignon)
- Les Angles (3.3 km from Avignon)
- Le Pontet (4.5 km from Avignon)
- Rognonas (5.3 km from Avignon)
- Pujaut (6.8 km from Avignon)
Commune Facts, Elevation & Best Time to Visit Avignon
Seasonal advice for Avignon (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 31 m elevation): Best time to visit Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct (late Jun–Jul for Valensole & Sault lavender). Pair your visit to Avignon with regional highlights across Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur: Nice Promenade des Anglais, Eze & Antibes on the Côte d'Azur, Marseille Vieux-Port & Calanques National Park, Avignon Palais des Papes, Aix-en-Provence, Luberon hilltop villages & Verdon Gorge.
| Commune Fact | Details for Avignon (Avignon (84007)) |
|---|---|
| Official Commune Name | Avignon (84007) (Avignon) |
| Administrative Role | Commune in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur |
| Region & Prefecture Capital | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (Capital: Marseille) |
| Geographic Zone | Vaucluse |
| Population | 92,378 residents |
| Surface Area / Density | Regional km² · Urban/Town residents per km² |
| GeoNames Elevation | 31 m elevation |
| Nearest Rail Station | Gare de Avignon (0.8 km) |
| Municipal Heritage | Official Municipality |
| GPS Coordinates | 43.9486°N, 4.8083°E |
Practical Travel Tips for Avignon
- Office de Tourisme in Avignon: Visit the local Office de Tourisme near the historic center of Avignon (or at Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles, Avignon TGV & Nice-Ville (SNCF TGV INOUI & TER Zou!)) for walking maps, market days, and seasonal château or museum hours.
- Cards, Euros & ATMs in Avignon: Bistros, bakeries, and shops in Avignon accept Visa and Mastercard (contactless sans contact up to €50), though keeping €10–€20 in coins and small notes is helpful for open-air market stalls and village bakeries. BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, and La Banque Postale ATMs operate across Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
- French dining hours in Avignon: Outside nonstop brasseries near major stations, kitchens in Avignon serve lunch strictly from 12:00 to 13:45 and dinner from 19:15 to 21:30.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Avignon (Avignon (84007)) located in France?
Avignon (Avignon (84007)) is a commune located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur in the Vaucluse region of France (coordinates: 43.9486°N, 4.8083°E, 31 m elevation). It has a population of 92,378 across Regional km² (Urban/Town/km²).
How do I get to Avignon by SNCF train?
Travelers reach Avignon via Gare de Avignon (0.8 km) and the main regional gateway of Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles, Avignon TGV & Nice-Ville (SNCF TGV INOUI & TER Zou!). TGV Méditerranée from Paris Gare de Lyon to Avignon TGV (2h40), Aix-en-Provence TGV (2h55), Marseille (3h05) and Nice-Ville; Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE) & Marseille Provence (MRS) airports. Compare fares and travel times in our SNCF TGV INOUI, Ouigo & TER Fare Calculator.
What local food is Avignon (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) known for?
In Avignon and across Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, signature regional dishes include Salade Niçoise, Socca chickpea pancake & Pan Bagnat, Bouillabaisse de Marseille & grilled Mediterranean sea bass, Ratatouille, tapenade, aïoli & anchoïade, plus Calissons d'Aix, tropézienne tart & Menton citrus pastries and Côtes de Provence Rosé, Châteauneuf-du-Pape & Bandol AOC wines. Look for artisan boulangeries, weekly open-air marchés, and bistros offering a weekday Formule du Midi.
When is the best time of year to visit Avignon?
For Avignon (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 31 m elevation): Best time to visit Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct (late Jun–Jul for Valensole & Sault lavender). Check our France Seasonal Calendar for month-by-month weather and festival highlights.
Official Sources & References for Avignon
- Atout France (Official France Tourism Agency)
- SNCF Connect — Train Schedules & Fares
- Wikipedia: Avignon
Official commune, rail, and tourism references for Avignon (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 43.9486°N, 4.8083°E) verified against Atout France, SNCF Connect, and INSEE / GeoNames data.