Kirill Serebrennikov's Le Moine Noir at the Festival d'Avignon in the Palais des Papes - Photo credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage / Festival d'AvignonKirill Serebrennikov's Le Moine Noir at the Festival d'Avignon in the Palais des Papes - Photo credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage / Festival d'Avignon
©Kirill Serebrennikov's Le Moine Noir at the Festival d'Avignon in the Palais des Papes - Photo credit: Christophe Raynaud de Lage / Festival d'Avignon|Christophe Raynaud de Lage / Festival d’Avignon

The Avignon Festival

The Festival d’Avignon was created in 1947 by Jean Vilar. The aim of this committed artist was to reach as many people as possible, and in particular young people, with high-quality programming of classical and foreign plays that were often little known in France, and to offer a different kind of theatre from that being performed in Paris at the time. He associated a troupe of actors with his creations: Gérard Philipe, Michel Bouquet, Maria Casarès, Philippe Noiret, Jeanne Moreau… Little by little he opened the Festival to dance, music and film. Jean Vilar directed the Festival d’Avignon until his death on 28 May 1971.

Practical information

The 79th edition will take place from 5 to 26 July 2025.

Traffic in the city centre from 5 to 26 July

During the Festival, throughout the intramuros, pedestrianisation is a priority and access is regulated from 12pm to 2am for vehicles with an access pass, encouraging gentle travel. Pass applications reserved for local residents.

Access to the inner city is via:

  • Porte de la République
  • Porte Saint Michel
  • Porte Thiers
  • Porte Saint Dominique
  • Porte du Rocher

More information

Parking in Avignon

To make parking easier, park-and-ride facilities are available and are served by free shuttles to the city centre.

  • More than 4,400 free spaces available in the 5 park-and-ride facilities with a guarded service provided from 10am to 2am.
  • Controlled access to the city centre for a peaceful city, open to all, encouraging gentle travel.

More information

Bustival

To make sure you get there and back late, a dozen bus routes are extending their timetables by around 1 hour to make it easier for you to get around.

More information

Eco-responsible festival-goer’s guide

Mild forms of mobility, park-and-ride facilities, car-sharing, bike stations but also waste management, sustainable food and freshness points… In this Guide for eco-responsible festival-goers, you’ll find all the practical resources you need to enjoy the city during these not-to-be-missed events, but also to protect it.

All together, let’s be eco-responsible!

Good plan: ZOU night TER

From 5 to 26 July, from Arles, Cavaillon, Carpentras or Orange, take the regional train directly to the heart of the City of the Popes. For the return journey, buses or trains to Arles or Carpentras are available until 11.30pm.

The Southern Region is setting up bus and train services to make it easy for you to get to the Avignon Festival.

Municipalities served:

Courthézon, Bédarrides, Sorgues-Châteauneuf-du-pape, Montfavet, Morières les Avignon, St Saturnin d’Avignon, Gadagne, Le Thor & L’Isle Fontaine de Vaucluse, Cavaillon, Monteux, Entraigues, Carpentras

NIGHT TIMETABLE
For the return journey, last train departure to Arles or Carpentras (by bus), every evening during the festival: 23h30. Last departure to Cavaillon: 23:26 (except Sundays for which departures are at 23:29 or 23:40 depending on the day) and to Orange: 23:29.

Agents will be present on board the trains and in the stations for a worry-free return.

The Southern Region is also putting in place bus and train services to get you easily to the Chorégies d’Orange or the Rencontres d’Arles: getting to the must-see events by bus or train has never been easier!

Avignon, the beating heart of theatrical creation

Like a beautiful woman preparing to receive her beau, Avignon in July is decked out to welcome actors, musicians, acrobats, circus performers, dancers… and spectators! Since 1947 and Jean Vilar’s first theatre week, Avignon has become a symbol of artistic creation. Taking over the Cour d’Honneur of the Palais des Papes, the cloisters and the courtyards of secondary schools, the Festival d’Avignon is a beating heart for lovers of the performing arts and theatrical discoveries. For three weeks, Avignon locals and festival-goers alike will be talking about shows that are often quite demanding, as well as discussions and debates.

Did you know?

The Avignon Festival is 40 shows, 400 performances (approximately) each year and over 130,000 spectators.

Avignon CitypassBenefit from the destination at the price
Earn more than 57€ on the tourist attractions of the City of Papes, direct access to museums and monuments of Avignon and Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, discounts on your visiting guides and certain places. Activities, as well as your favorite station 24 or 48 hours!

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