Boy sitting on the Barthelasse facing the Pont d'Avignon. Credit: Frédéric Dahm / Empreintes d'AilleursBoy sitting on the Barthelasse facing the Pont d'Avignon. Credit: Frédéric Dahm / Empreintes d'Ailleurs
©Boy sitting on the Barthelasse facing the Pont d'Avignon. Credit: Frédéric Dahm / Empreintes d'Ailleurs|Frédéric Dahm / Empreintes d'Ailleurs

A break in the garden

  1. Home
  2. Avignon with 1000 faces
  3. Natural city
  4. A break in the garden

Located in the heart of Provence, on the banks of the Rhône and just a few minutes from some of the greatest natural sites in the southern region, Avignon offers 1001 opportunities for a nature break to reconnect you with what’s essential… Whether you want to breathe, need to exercise, or are simply curious about discovering new landscapes, Avignon is a natural experience!

Parks and gardens:
the countryside in the city!

Avignon, a medieval city on a human scale, also gives you the opportunity to get close to nature, in the parks and gardens open to all and on the paths of the city’s “green lung”, the Ile de la Barthelasse, the largest river island in Europe; a little corner of green paradise just a stone’s throw from the city walls.

Focus on the gardens
of the Palais des Papes

The gardens of the Palais des papes, restored in 2020, offer a breath of fresh air halfway through your visit to the monument.

Special
from Avignon

The palace gardens are free for residents of Avignon!
Don’t wait any longer to discover them!

Jardin Ephemere Photo Laureline LucasJardin Ephemere Photo Laureline Lucas
©Jardin Ephemere Photo Laureline Lucas
New! The ephemeral garden in front of the Petit Palais: free of charge and right in the centre of town, this is an event not to be missed!

Enjoy the cool shade around the pond, the orchard, the sculpted trees and climbing plants, and the view of the Palais des Papes! Under the large flower-filled pergola, you can discover 32 works by Botticelli, Corot and Bruegel, from the Petit Palais and the Musée Calvet, and also echo the fishpond decorating the stag’s room in the Palais des Papes.

Garden events

A drink in the gardens of the Palais des Papes (alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health) - Photo credit: Olivier Tresson / Avignon TourismeUn Verre Aux Jardins Dans Les Jardins Du Palais Des Papes
©A drink in the gardens of the Palais des Papes (alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health) - Photo credit: Olivier Tresson / Avignon Tourisme|Olivier Tresson / Avignon Tourisme
Visitors at the Un verre aux jardins event in the gardens of the Palais des Papes - Photo credit: Olivier Tresson / Avignon TourismeVisitors at the Un Verre Aux Jardins event in the gardens of the Palais des Papes
©Visitors at the Un verre aux jardins event in the gardens of the Palais des Papes - Photo credit: Olivier Tresson / Avignon Tourisme|Olivier Tresson / Avignon Tourisme
A drink in the gardens of the Palais des Papes (alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health) - Photo credit: Olivier Tresson / Avignon TourismeA drink in the gardens of the Palais des Papes (alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health) - Photo credit: Olivier Tresson / Avignon Tourisme
©A drink in the gardens of the Palais des Papes (alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health) - Photo credit: Olivier Tresson / Avignon Tourisme|Olivier Tresson / Avignon Tourisme
The Un verre aux jardins event in the gardens of the Palais des Papes with a DJ from the Résonnance festival - Photo credit: Olivier Tresson / Avignon TourismeThe Un verre aux jardins event in the gardens of the Palais des Papes with a DJ from the Résonnance festival - Photo credit: Olivier Tresson / Avignon Tourisme
©The Un verre aux jardins event in the gardens of the Palais des Papes with a DJ from the Résonnance festival - Photo credit: Olivier Tresson / Avignon Tourisme|Olivier Tresson / Avignon Tourisme

    More than a garden: an island!

    Two sportswomen race on the BarthelasseTwo sportswomen race on the Barthelasse
    ©Two sportswomen race on the Barthelasse|Olivier Tresson
    Barthelasse Island
    Located between Avignon and Villeneuve-lez-Avignon, between the two arms of the Rhone – the large Rhone on the Villeneuve side, the small Rhone on the Avignon side...
    Read more
    River shuttle ("bac à traille")
    River shuttle ("bac à traille")
    The shuttle provides free access across the Rhône from the Quai de la Ligne, near the Pont d'Avignon, to the Barthelasse island, a starting point for discovering Europe's...
    Read more

    Top picnic spots in Avignon!

    Take advantage of the fine weather to stroll through the city and enjoy the greenery, picnic on the banks of the Rhône or in the gardens of a museum, or relax on a terrace with friends or family after seeing a show or an exhibition. Check out our suggestions for places to take a breath of fresh air!

    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!