Avignon in 10 walks

Welcome to Avignon, where every step reveals a piece of its history and invites you to discover the gems of its heritage.
Discover Avignon’s inner city, classified as a “remarkable heritage site”, on walks highlighting the city’s prestigious UNESCO-listed heritage. Stroll along its typical cobbled streets for a captivating journey through the city’s history, punctuated by the majesty of its emblematic monuments, the municipal museums and Avignon’s architectural treasures.

The walk

of the Popes

Pink line on the heritage map

Start your stroll in the Place du Palais des Papes, at the heart of the city’s World Heritage site, and admire the Palais des Papes, the Basilica of Notre-Dame des Doms, the Petit Palais museum and the Hôtel des Monnaies.

Continue along Rue Peyrolerie to Place de l’Amirande, where you can admire the elegant façade of La Mirande opposite the Tour Saint-Laurent. Continue towards the Verger Urbain V and then the Manutention district, before reaching the Pénitents noirs chapel.

Then head for the Pont Saint-Bénézet and enjoy the views over the Rhône and Villeneuve-lez-Avignon, before climbing back up to the Jardins des Doms for an exceptional panoramic view over the city.

Finish your tour with a stroll through the Libra district, before returning to your starting point.

Duration / difficulty

1 hour excluding visits to monuments
Intermediate (climb to Rocher des Doms)

On your route

At the Vergers Urbain V, look up to admire the impressive façade of the Palais des Papes.

Le conseil d’expert

Possibilité d’extension en empruntant à pied ou à vélo la navette fluviale gratuite vers l’île de la Barthelasse, le poumon vert d’Avignon, pour une promenade sur le chemin de Halage ou un pique-nique à la Maison du Parc avec une vue imprenable sur le pont d’Avignon et le centre historique. Retour au centre-ville par le Pont Edouard Daladier, qui offre un point de vue splendide sur le Rhône ainsi que le Mont Ventoux par beau temps

Commencez la balade

The walk

Museums and town houses

Purple line on the heritage map

Immerse yourself in the heart of Avignon on a cultural walk combining iconic museums and elegant town houses. Discover Avignon on a cultural walk combining iconic museums and elegant town houses. From the rue de la République, immerse yourself in history at the Musée Lapidaire and the Musée Angladon, before heading to the church of Saint-Didier and the Place de l’Horloge, the lively heart of the city, where you’ll find the Opera House and the Maison Jean Vilar.

Then let yourself be carried away by the atmosphere of the antique dealers’ quarter and its remarkable façades, before exploring the rich collections of the Musée Calvet and the Musée Requien. The tour continues with the Collection Lambert, a benchmark for contemporary art, and ends at the Cloître Saint-Louis, the emblematic site of the Avignon Festival.

Duration / difficulty

2h excluding museum visits
Easy

On your route

Stairs to the collegiate church of Saint-Agricol

Expert advice

Stop for an aperitif in the shade of the plane trees in one of the magnificent squares on this walk: Place Saint-Didier, Place de l’Horloge or Place Crillon!

Commencez la balade

The walk

along the streets of yesteryear

Green line on the heritage map

Immerse yourself in medieval Avignon with an immersive walk through its ancient streets and hidden treasures.

From the Square Agricol-Perdiguier to the Rue des Teinturiers, via the Musée des Bains Pommer, the chapels, the lively squares and iconic sites such as the Halles, the Basilique Saint-Pierre and the Synagogue, you’re going to love Avignon! An authentic exploration of the city, combining history, culture and strolling.

Duration / difficulty

3h
Easy

On your route

Old calades: rue des Teinturiers, place des Trois Pilats, place Saint-Pierre

Expert advice

Take the kids to the Jardin des Carmes to enjoy the shade, water fountain and play area!

Commencez la balade

The walk

Villeneuve lez Avignon

Blue line on the heritage map

Explore the history of Villeneuve lez Avignon on our one-hour walking tour, starting at the majestic Tour Philippe Le Bel. Wander the narrow streets steeped in history, discover architectural treasures and immerse yourself in the charm of this multi-faceted city. A historical walk revealing the treasures of Villeneuve lez Avignon’s heritage.

Duration / difficulty

1h
Difficult

On your route

Several climbs, some of them very steep

Expert advice

For gourmets, on Thursdays the town hosts a large, typically Provençal market. For bargain hunters and lovers of antiques, there’s a flea market on Saturday mornings!

Commencez la balade

Visit

The comfort route

Lavender line on the heritage map

A walk accessible to people with reduced mobility, accompanied or equipped with an electric wheelchair, and also accessible to pushchairs, from the Tourist Office to the Palais des Papes.

Duration / difficulty

On your route

The Palais des Papes is not accessible to people with reduced mobility

Expert advice

For gourmets, on Thursdays the town hosts a large, typically Provençal market. For bargain hunters and lovers of antiques, there’s a flea market on Saturday mornings!

Start the walk

The walk

Ramparts tower

Dark blue line on the heritage map

Another way to discover Avignon’s heritage on foot or by bike! Walk along the 14th-century ramparts, part of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best preserved in France, and discover the city from a whole new angle.

Duration / difficulty

4.5 km
Very easy, flat

On your route

Please note: this is a walk at the foot of the ramparts; the top of the ramparts is inaccessible.

Expert advice

From April to October, a Bienvenue à la ferme farmers’ market is held in the Carré d’Honneur in the Allées de l’Oulle, on Mondays at the end of the day.

Start the walk

The walk

du chemin des canaux

Azure blue line on the heritage map

A fun, family-friendly walk from the town centre to the Parc Chico Mendes, linking the inner city to Montfavet, along the banks of the Canal de Vaucluse.

Duration / difficulty

Approximately 8km round trip
Very easy

On your route

Wide cycle path along the ramparts, greenway following the provisional route of the ViaRhôna from Chemin de l’Épi.

Expert advice

The Parc Chico Mendes has a cani’parc. 1st category dogs are not allowed. 2nd category dogs must be muzzled and kept on a lead.

Commencez la balade

The walk

of the Barthelasse island

Green water line on the heritage map

A 100% relaxing walk in a green setting close to the historic centre on Europe’s largest river island along country lanes.

Duration / difficulty

13km approx.
Easy. Flat.

On your route

A large part of the route is shared, on country lanes.

Le conseil d’expert

Profitez d’une pause gourmande à la Maison Manguin et dégustez la liqueur à base de poires produite sur l’île. Des visites guidées gratuites sont proposées tous les samedis à 11h (sauf jours fériés).

Start the walk

The walk

urban in Saint-Ruf

Purple line on the heritage map

An urban journey through an environment that has changed considerably over the centuries. A heritage that has seen all the major trends in the history of architecture from the 11th century to the present day.

Duration / difficulty

4.3km
Easy

On your route

Look up and you’ll be impressed by the architecture!

Expert advice

Stop off at the Abbey Gardens: the first park to be created outside the town centre at the foot of the remains of the majestic 11th-century Saint Ruf Abbey, this is a great place to stroll and relax with family or friends. Children will be delighted by the many games available.

Conmencez la balade

The walk

du canal Puy

Light blue line on the heritage map

4 itineraries punctuated by attractive panels, evoking this hydraulic structure, its components and the agricultural tradition around this green belt of Avignon, accompanied by an exhibition on the history of its agriculture in the Notre-Dame mill.