The perfect festival-goer’s guide

©Festival atmosphere with posters and people on terraces - Photo credit: Frédéric Dahm / Empreintes d'Ailleurs|Frédéric Dahm / Empreintes d'Ailleurs

©The Festival In d'Avignon invites itself into the Cour d'Honneur of the Palais des Papes - Photo credit: Christophe Raynaud / Festival d'Avignon|Christophe Raynaud / Festival d'Avignon

What's the difference between the Festival d'Avignon and the Festival OFF?

The two festivals run concurrently throughout July

The Avignon Festival known as the “In” was created in 1947 by Jean Vilar. Programming is decided by the artistic director, Tiago Rodrigues and his team. Companies and artists are invited to present their work at the Festival, in iconic heritage venues such as the Cour d’Honneur of the Palais des Papes.

Le Festival Off was founded in 1966 by André Benedetto, it was originally an alternative artistic movement that protested against traditional theatrical performances. Le Off has no artistic direction. Companies pay and hire open slots in theatres that make their venues available.

Did you know?

A grand parade takes place at the end of the day on the eve of the festival launch, with all the artists marching in costume and towing to present their show. It’s a big open-air party, so don’t miss it!

How can I find tickets for the Festival d'Avignon?

By telephone on 04.90.14.14.14

On the official website

On site at the Cloître St Louis

At the FNAC

Most tickets are snapped up as soon as they go on sale. But it’s always possible to find some, sometimes on the day of the show itself: some festival-goers sell their tickets at the last minute, usually in the Cloître Saint-Louis, where the box office is located! There you’ll find a wall of classified ads with lots of tickets for sale. Alternatively, you can go to the venue playing the show of your choice an hour before it starts. Reserved seats must be collected no later than 30 minutes before the start of the show, after which they go back on sale, giving a few lucky people the chance to win the precious ticket.

How do I get tickets for the Festival OFF?

At the theatre box office before the show

On Ticket'Off, the solidarity ticketing service

On online ticket sales sites

Some companies present their shows in the street, playing short scenes and offering preferential rates or even free tickets to festival-goers. Keep your eyes peeled!

Tourism and Festivals Office

The Tourist Office becomes the “Tourism and Festivals Office” for the duration of the festival!
Come and meet our teams for advice and answers to your questions on the theme of the festival: practical information, information map of festival venues, show venues, expert advice, travel solutions, young audiences, etc…

👉 And always a point of information and sale of Festival Off Avignon season tickets

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Good plan

Buy the public season ticket at the Tourist Office or at the Village du Off. It entitles you to a 30% discount on all shows in the programme, access to evenings and concerts at the Village du Off, cheaper visits to the Palais des Papes and many other advantages…

Where to grab a bite to eat?
Where to cool off?
Parking and traffic

Olympic pool - La Palmeraie

More spots

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

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!

Find out more

Eco-responsible festival guideDownload

Eco-responsible festivals

Soft mobility, park-and-ride facilities, car-sharing, bike stations, waste management, sustainable food and freshness points… in this eco-responsible Festival Guide, 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. Let’s all be eco-responsible!