Avignon

Avignon is the capital of the French département of Vaucluse in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and is on the banks of the Rhône river. Avignon was one of the European Cities of Culture in 2000 and its historical centre has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Prior to the latter's annexation by France in 1791, Avignon was the papal capital of the independent Comtat Venaissin.

Introduction

Stadtzentrum Avignon - The Papal Palace and the cathedral

Avignon is well known as the city to which the Popes fled when leaving the corruption of Rome in the 14th century. Le Palais des Papes (Palace of Popes) which was built then is the world's largest Gothic building. It was largely emptied over the centuries and its vast stone rooms are filled with little more than old frescos, but it is still an imposing building. The Ramparts themselves were erected to keep the plague and invaders out during the turbulent Middle Ages, when Avignon belonged to the papacy and not the French crown.

Its early history is much older than the popes, however. Avignon occupies a strategic location for several reasons - it is at the confluence of two once-mighty rivers: the Rhône, still one of the biggest rivers in France and the now largely-dammed Durance. Both were important routes of trade and communication even in prehistoric times. In addition and there is a long island in the Rhone that made it feasible to ferry people and goods across and later bridge the river, more easily than in other places.

It is estimated that about 200,000 people live in Avignon, 16,000 of which live 'intra-muros,' or within the ramparts built in the 14th century.

The city is now sprinkled with buildings and monuments ranging from the new to the old and the very old and the ageless.

History

Avignon has been continuously inhabited since the stone age, when inhabitations were built in caves in the “Rocher des Doms”, a massive outcropping of rock rising over the banks of the Rhône. Today, a public park with benches, views over the surrounding countryside, a café and playground is on top of the Rocher.

The Romans had a presence in Avignon, though the walls they built lie buried somewhere under the modern streets. Vestiges of the forum can still be seen, lying unassumingly near the Rue Racine and the Rue Saint-Étienne, to the West of the city.

Then, in medieval times and the town grew to an important center of communication and trade. The stone bridge spanning the Rhone was one of only three between the Mediterranean and Lyon. It was undoubtedly for its strategic location and ease of travel that it was chosen by the papacy as home within the then kingdom of Provence. The presence of the papacy made Avignon into a city of great political and economic activity. The old city wall, now visible only as a street that circles the very center of the town (changing names 5 times in the process!) was much too small and a larger wall, still visible today, was necessary to protect its bulging population. Wealthy Cardinals built extravagant palaces known as livrées both within Avignon and across the river, in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.

The city teemed with activity and building as architects, builders, artists flocked to the town. At that time, within the city walls there were over 100 churches and chapels - many of which have been transformed since then into everything from shops to a movie theater! The wealth and activity generated by the presence of the papacy spilled out into the region, so that even small villages nearby boast a rich architectural past.

Office de Tourisme d'Avignon @ourisme.com 41, cours Jean Jaurès BP8 43.9449707, 4.805789 ☎ +33 4 32 74 32 74 Opening Hours:April to October: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 6 pm, Festival: everyday 9 am to 7 pm, Sundays and holidays 10am to 5pm; November to March: Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday 10 to 12 In the season there is also an information point at the TGV Station

Travel to Avignon

43.9493814|4.8059177|layer=W

Fly to Avignon

Aéroport d'Avignon-Caumont - Avignon Airport IATA Flight Code: AVN 43.906667,4.901944 - Avignon – Provence Airport - Avignon airport 06 -QQ0916 Cityjet and Flybe operate Flights from the United Kingdom.

Travel by train to Avignon

Gare d'Avignon Centre - Avignon central station - Boulevard Saint-Roch 43.941667,4.805 Gare d'Avignon-Centre - Gare d'Avignon-Centre Local and regional trains call at the central station, just outside the walls on the southern edge of the old town.

Gare d'Avignon TGV - Avignon TGV Station - Avenue de la Gare, 84000 Avignon 43.921667,4.785833 about 2 km out of town; a regular shuttle train to the Avignon central station Gare d'Avignon TGV - Avignon tgv station - Avignon lies on the TGV] line from Paris (2.5h) to Marseille. It is also served by numerous local and regional services. Eurostar operates several services a week from London St. Pancras International, with a journey time of around 6 hours

Travel by Bus

Avignon is connected to most other European city's with Eurolines. For regional travelers, following your common source, you can take: the Vaucluse département cars circulating in the appelation "TransVaucluse Network"; departmental cars Bouches-du-Rhône, whose schedules are available on Lepilote; departmental cars du Gard, working under the name of "Edgar". All lines to the terminal bus station Avignon, itself located near the train station and the walls surrounding the town center.

Travel by boat to Avignon

While there is no regular boat line in Avignon, you can arrive by boat in Avignon via river cruises.

How to travel to Avignon by car

From Paris or Lyon, you can reach Avignon by the Autoroute du Soleil and take the Avignon-Nord exit and follow the N107 then the D225 towards AVIGNON Centre. This urban road leads straight to the famous Avignon bridge just before where you have a large pay vehicle park (car park the Palais des Papes), which leads directly onto the Place du Palais des Papes in the heart of the city.

Other parking solutions and the municipality has set up 2 ' relay ' parking + free shuttle " ' , with one bus every 10 minutes from 10:00 to 22:00. The first "Parking Italians" , accessible the D225 road which runs. Circuit the shuttle drops users directly in the intramural centre , near the Town Hall Plaza ; the second is located on the Ile de la Barthelasse ( head Villeneuve lès Avignon and follow the signs). The shuttle drops users to Gate Oulle , about 200m from the bridge of Avignon (Saint Bénézet bridge).

From Montpellier or Nîmes, exit on the A9 (exit Roquemaure and the first after the junction with the A7) and then follow the direction Avignon.

Transportation in Avignon

VelopopStation - A Vélopop station

The old downtown is not very big and can be easily explored on foot. An automatic bike sharing scheme called Vélopop' allows you to ride along ]. Smartcard needed.

What to See

Popes palace inside - The decoration of a window inside the Papal Palace

Papal Palace - Palais des Papes - Place du palais des papes 43.9508,4.8075 - Palais des Papes - Avignon, Palais des Papes by JM Rosier -QQQQ3 Thit is the palace where the Popes of Avignon ruled, during a period when the Papacy was divided, with a Pope in Rome and another in Avignon. Most of the artwork inside (statues, frescoes) was destroyed during the French Revolution, but the impressive building still stands and little bits of artwork, such as those that were too high to be convenient to ruin, remain. - Le Pont Saint-Bénezet Le Pont d'Avignon - 43.95358575219919, 4.805168587627122 Pont d avignon - It is a ruined bridge not far from the Palais des Papes. The bridge was built in the Middle Ages — before the arrival of the Papacy — perhaps partly to allow the local bishop to cross the river to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, where the church authorities had installed themselves because of Avignon's then-infamous dirt and lawlessness.

The legend of the bridge's building is that a local shepherd, Benezet (a dialect form of Benedict) was inspired by angels to build a bridge. When his appeals to the town authorities proved fruitless, he picked up a vast block of stone and hurled it into the river, to be the bridge's foundation stone. Convinced by this demonstration of divine will and the bridge was swiftly built. The poor shepherd boy was canonised and his chapel remains on the surviving portion of the bridge.

If the bridge was divinely inspired and the Deity must have quickly changed his mind, because before long the bridge became unsafe and, following numerous floods, mostly derelict.

Originally and the bridge had 22 arches, reaching across to the tower of Philippe le Bel via the mid-stream île de la Barthelasse. Only 4 of the 22 arches now remain. A multilingual audio tour of the bridge explains some of the local history.

A well-known song Sur Le Pont D'Avignon (on the bridge at Avignon) refers to the bridge. The bridge itself is far too narrow for dancing or festivals - the original text of the song was "Sous (under) le pont d'Avignon", referring to the festivals and entertainments staged on the île de la Barthelasse. The current version was popularised by a 19th-century operetta, whose librettist clearly assumed that 'sous le pont d'Avignon' would have meant in the river.

Other popular tourist destinations include: the Place du Palais GPS 43.9509263,4.8067009, just next to the Place de L'horloge GPS 43.9493814,4.8059177, though someone may find these places shockingly expensive and overcrowded in season. Within a short distance in just about any direction are some smaller squares frequented by the local residents and much lower prices. Like Place Pie GPS 43.948215,4.8103809, with its covered market (open 6AM to 1PM everyday) which sells fresh produce, cheeses, soft drinks and produits du pays.

Museums

Avignon has its share of museums, ranging from Modern Art Museums to museums housing artefacts from the Roman and pre-Roman days.

Muslim Travel Tips

If you are confident about biking and there are a lot of places to bike to.

Local events in Avignon

Theatre Festival - Festival d'Avignon - , Festival d'Avignon - Jean Vilar au festival d'Avignon 1967 en compagnie d'Antoine Bourseiller et François Billetdoux Avignon is well known the world over for its annual theatre festival. For three or four weeks in July the city is virtually swollen with street performers, actors, musicians and of course the ubiquitous tourists. The festival is an excuse to turn any room with enough seating into a 'salle de spectacle' and the city is host to a wide variety of entertainment. The gem of this festival are the performances which take place inside the Pope's Palace itself. Tickets are expensive, but thit is considered by many French and European thespians to be a crowning achievement of their career. The vast majority of performances are, of course, in French but a number of foreign companies perform in other languages including English. Even without attending any events and the atmosphere and street theatre give the city a marvellous feeling.

The International Congress Center , - Was created in 1976 within the outstanding premises of the Palace of the Popes and hosts many events throughout the entire year.

Avignon Fair Chemin des Félons - ☎ +33 4 66 54 81 71, +33 6 20 87 91 19 Opening Hours: mid-April - A modern-style fair. The competition of the Rhone Valley, organised upstream since 1980, gives its official results at this fair.

==What to buy in Avignon== Flea Market | Place des Carmes 43.95051465635426, 4.813365418049216 - Opening Hours: Every Sunday morning browse the tables looking for your hidden treasure. Food Market | Les Halles d'Avignon, place Pie - GPS: 43.94780235692111, 4.810338020652125 Les Halles vues de la place Pie d'Avignon - Opening Hours: Every morning except Monday Local specialties like Olive oil, tapenade, localfruit cocktails, cheeses and pastries can be found at the market along with fresh local produce. Cooking classes are available on Saturday mornings.

Pure Lavande - 61, Rue grande Fusterie 43.9520055, 4.805199300000027 ☎ +33 490147005 This boutique specializes in lavender and lavender products.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Avignon

D'Ici et d'Ailleurs 4, Rue Galante - GPS: 43.9482112, 4.80643 ☎ +33 4 90 14 63 65 - "fresh products on a sunny terrace."

Fou de Fafa 17 Rue Des Trois Faucons 43.9458948,4.8077269 +33 4 32 76 35 13 Opening Hours: dinner from 6.30pm - quality French food with an international twist. Restaurant l'Orangerie | 3 Place Jerusalem 43.9482797,4.808777 A few minutes walk from the tourist-centre Place de l'Horloge ☎ +33 4 90 86 86 87 - Thit is a small restaurant and the style is Provençal/Corsican. In Summer it has tables on the Plaza and the rest of the year it has four tables and café on the ground floor and a few more upstairs.

Terre de Saveurs 1 Rue Saint-Michel - GPS: 43.9443373,4.8080608 Just south of Places des Corps Saints ☎ +33 4 90 86 68 72 - Mixed Vegetarian and Meat menu using fresh local ingredients to produce food highlighting Mediterranean flavours. Main dishes with Meat, €14.50, without €13.50. Starters at €8.50 and desserts €6.50. Sit outside on the terrace, or inside in the dining room. They also sell locally made jams and tapenades.

L'Epicerie - 10, Place Saint Pierre 43.94936389999999, 4.807754599999953 tucked in a nice little square just south of the Palais des Papes ☎ +33 49 0827422 Count around €25 for lunch, more with Try the Assiette Epicière for a plate full of provençal specialities such as tapenade, ratatouille, with a salad and some ham.

Restaurant Christian Etienne 10 Rue de Mons 43.9500438, 4.8069209 ☎ +33 4 90 86 16 50 A well known Provence chef, his restaurant is right next to the Palais des Papes. An excellent Vegetarian menu is available.

esclavebar club - 10 Rue du Limas 43.9509374, 4.8036922 near place Crillon ☎ +33490851491 Opening Hours: 11PM Monday - 5AM The best and straight friendly club in town, open 7/7, full every night with shows, house and cruising area. Entrance is free of charge all year except July (5€ including a drink) alcohol:8€ soft drinks:5€ soft drinks:7€ frequented in summer by most of theatre festival artists and celebrities. The place is small but on two floors with a smoking area inside. Second floor there is a backroom, first floor a small café (mostly male) with videos. Ground floor dj's, main café and a small dance floor. Most people arrive after bars closing hour (1:30AM) so come here later, it's a must! Very friendly staff (1st floor bartender speaks good English)

Le Vin Devant Soi - shop - 4 Rue Collège du Roure 43.9485757, 4.805402800000024 just off of Rue de la République, south of the Place de l'Horlorge ☎ +33 490820439 Opening Hours: Until 7PM or 8PM This shop has a permanent tasting machine set up with 32fruit cocktails. You purchase tasting credit for however much you like and they give you a card that you can put in the tasting machine to select the you want to taste. Tastes come in three different sizes, with different prices for differentfruit cocktails. The staff is very friendly and there is a nice atmosphere.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Avignon

Avignon - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Avignon, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Avignon. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Avignon and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Avignon. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Avignon. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Avignon: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Avignon.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Avignon: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Avignon, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Avignon.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Avignon, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Avignon, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Avignon and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Avignon, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Avignon, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Avignon without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Avignon is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Avignon.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Avignon is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Avignon, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Avignon Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan in Avignon

Ramadan 2025 in Avignon

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Auberge-Camping Bagatelle -

Île de la Barthelasse - GPS: 43.95310204393943, 4.799374084977899 €16.56 with complimentary breakfast This Hotel/ Hostel and Camp Site is located on Ile de la Bathelasse in the centre of the Rhone . Thit is perhaps the best place to stay on a budget. It has great facilities and offers perhaps the best view of the center of Avignon. Carries a basic menu restaurant. Another benefit is that is placed directly between Avignon and the opposite town Villeneuve-les-Avignon, both begin within 10 minutes walk. Hotel d'Angleterre | 29 Boulevard Raspail - GPS: 43.94459680000001, 4.80070139999998 10 minutes walk from bus and trains station € 40 some rooms with bathroom. Small hotel located within the city walls. Has a small private vehicle park. Its use is free of charge if you can find a place for your car.

Altera Roma Hotel 13-15 Avenue Monclar 43.9397954,4.805895400000054 just behind the central station, which faces the main avenue of downtown and the bus station ☎ +33 4 90 86 20 14 +33 4 26 23 68 31 Double room with ensuite shower and bathroom €30-60, studios and apartments from €75, breakfast €7 can be taken in the garden in season 7:30AM 11AM Family run hotel overlooking a flowered garden, within a private carpark. Internet wi-fi available in the whole building. Recently renovated rooms with the typical Provencal style. 7 languages spoken. Private taxi service.

Hotel Boquier Avignon - 6 Rue du portail Boquier 43.9447239, 4.805072600000017 in old city, near the tourism office ☎ +33 4 90 82 34 43 55-69 Check-in : 1PM / Check-out: 11AM A charming hotel in a XVIIIth-century house.

Hotel Danieli Rue de la République - GPS: 43.947573074485724, 4.805948760440515 €80 per day for a double during the summer, more expensive during the Festival d'Avignon. very centrally with air conditioning and a good breakfast.
Mas du Clos de l'Escarrat Route de Carpentras chemin de l'Escarrat. €80 Bed & Breakfast

Hotel Le Colbert 7 Rue Agricol Perdiguier - GPS: 43.944153543722464, 4.8069934224895405 +33 4 90 86 20 20 Individual air conditioning room from € 78
Au Saint Roch @ignon.com 9 Rue Paul Mérindol, 84000 Avignon 43.94291203216839,4.797995427497881 South West from the middle age city ☎ +33 6 90 16 50 00 +33 4 90 82 78 30 From €48 to €65, €7.50 for breakfast Nice hotel with a very quiet garden. Hotel d 'Europe - 12 Place Crillon, F84000 -AVIGNON - GPS: 43.95034694330067, 4.803439378738403€350 - 5-star

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'La Mirande Hotel - 4 place de la Mirande,F- AVIGNON - GPS: 43.95007659797408, 4.8076558113098144 - Avignon - Hotel Pamard 10.JPG € 400 and up - 5 star hotel housed in a 700 year old converted townhouse

Medical Issues in Avignon

Henri Duffaut Hospital 305 r Raoul Follereau 43.920945,4.805951899999968 ☎ +33 4 32 75 33 33
Clinique Urbain V chem Pont des Deux Eaux 43.9455500621416,4.842438697814941 ☎ +33 826 399 990 +33 4 32 74 24 41

Telecommunications in Avignon

Cope in Avignon

Where to travel next from Avignon

The surrounding region is full of interesting sites, There are three sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List

Arles is full of Roman and Romanesque monuments and worthy of a full days exploration. 17mn from Avignon by TER.
Orange (Provence) | Orange just a short train ride to the north is home to one of the finest Roman Theatres in Europe
Le Pont du Gard is about 30 km to the West it is probably the finest Roman aqueduct still in existence and a great place for hiking and canoeing.

Other notable sites nearby are:

Nimes which has a huge Roman amphitheatre and a famous Greek Temple
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a short train ride north and is home to some of France's most famous vineyards
Aix-en-Provence, town of water - town of art, founded by the Romans.