The OFF Festival on the square in front of the Palais des Papes in Avignon - Photo credit: Frédéric Dahm / Empreintes d'Ailleurs

Palais des Papes, Carmes, Corps Saints... Typical Avignon squares

10 locations, 10 atmospheres

Surrounded by ramparts, the historic center of Avignon is built around a series of small squares, each with its own history, reputation and uniqueness. Under the sun of Provence, Avignon’s squares are an essential symbol of its art of living. In the shade of a plane tree, lulled by the sound of cicadas, savor the passing of time…

Place du Palais des Papes

Rendezvous with history!

How can you not gasp at the majesty of the place? Our eyes sweep in wonder at the exceptional setting set against the terraces of cafés and restaurants. It’s a real privilege to be able to dine by candlelight or enjoy a glass of wine facing the Palace of the Popes!
Avignonnais love to stroll around the square, where they rub shoulders all year round with visitors from all over the world, as well as teenagers practicing skateboarding, street performers and musicians, not forgetting festival-goers, as the mythical trumpets sound to announce the opening of the Cour d’Honneur show…

The pluses

While exceptional for its history and outsized dimensions, Place du Palais is alive with a simple, friendly atmosphere.

Avignonnais’ advice

On this square, enjoy a pac à l’eau or a glass of wine before the Cour d’Honneur opens!

Chestnut Square

Typical and warm

According to the mood and the weather, just a stone’s throw from the Palais des Papes, we like to linger in more intimate little squares in the shade of plane trees. In a historic setting, calades on the ground and ancient facades host simple, convivial tables for a sensory journey to discover world cuisines.

The pluses

This is the place to be for a get-together with friends, even in winter: the restaurants here are so inviting!

Avignonnais’ advice

The place to go for delicious focaccia!

Saint Peter's Square

A place for two

Secretly tucked away between Place des Châtaignes and Place de la Mirande, it’s one of Avignon’s smallest squares, but undoubtedly also one of its most beautiful. It offers one of the most intimate atmospheres next to the magnificent Basilique Saint Pierre.

The pluses

A magical, tranquil setting for a quiet reunion or romantic dinner.

Advice from Avignon

Stare at the details engraved on the Basilica’s door, you might be surprised!

Place Saint-Didier

Village spirit

Out of time, in the heart of a lively neighborhood, we find it between Saint Didier church and rue des Trois Faucons, which already gives us the tone of the neighborhood, organized like a village: eco-responsible concept store, refined chocolate brand, artistic florist, deco and designer boutiques, gourmet greengrocer and traditional neighborhood butcher…

The pluses

The Place Saint Didier exudes a unique atmosphere, and is one of Avignon’s most characteristic.

Avignonnais’ advice

On this square, do your shopping from local producers: good bread, cheese, fruit and vegetables, a good roast chicken, chocolate and even beautiful bouquets!

Place des Corps Saints

A place for everyone!

Surely one of Avignon’s most popular, it’s the place to be. Here, there’s something for every taste, every craving, every generation. Children can run around safely on the square in front of the sun-drenched Célestins church, while their parents take a break on the terrace.

At the same time, there’s something for everyone.

The pluses

The place vibrates at every moment of the day: gourmet breakfast on a bakery terrace, lunch on the go at midday, a cool afternoon break, an aperitif with friends at the mythical Café des Célestins, a tartine break before a show or a gourmet dinner…

Advice from Avignon

A compulsory stop-off to sample an artisanal ice cream, voted the best in France!

Place Pie

A place for everyone!

“Shall we meet again at Place Pie?” In Avignon, you’re bound to hear this question tossed around like an obvious question at the end of the day between Avignonnais. Place Pie, with its forecourt lined with cafés, bars and brasseries, and Les Halles as a focal point, is THE place for parties and epicureans.

The pluses

Place Pie is home to Les Halles and its spectacular Plant Wall. In this large covered market, 40 shopkeepers welcome you, true ambassadors of the taste of quality and fresh local produce.

Avignonnais’ advice

If you’re looking for the atmosphere of the south, of evenings that go on and on with music under the starry sky, you’ve come to the right place!

…

Place de l'Horloge

The epicenter of the inner city

A must-see for young children, the Belle Epoque carousel also welcomes grown-ups! But perhaps you’d prefer to linger on one of the many terraces to sample a speciality or take a refreshment.

The plus

Some of Avignon’s symbols are concentrated here: the mosaic on the floor with its coat of arms, the city’s motto (Ingribus et Rostro), and in the jacquemart of the Hôtel de Ville, two automatons that chant the hours.

Avignonnais’ advice

In the evening, we like to meet here after a show at the Opéra, or linger a few minutes, in summer, in front of a street show…

Place de la Principale

Peace and privacy

One of Avignon’s most intimate secret corners. Mineral and beautiful, time seems suspended. It’s the ideal place to enter into the magic of Avignon: history is shared here with the privileged few who sit on the terrace facing the Chapelle des Pénitents blancs.

The pluses

Choose it to meet up with close friends, travel back in time and enjoy organic flavors and sunshine, even in winter!

Avignonnais’ advice

A popular spot for locals to get away from the hustle and bustle of traffic for a while!

Avignonnais’ advice

A popular spot for locals to get away from the hustle and bustle of traffic for a while!

Place des Carmes

A touch of retro

With its bistro-style restaurants and Belle Epoque-style Halles, the Place des Carmes, a little way from the historic hypercentre, is very popular with the people of Avignon. The downtown market is now held here every Saturday morning.

The pluses

Virtually pedestrian-only, in the shade of century-old plane trees, take the time to linger over healthy cuisine, Greek specialties or sip an aperitif in one of the city’s oldest cafés.

Advice from Avignon

Stop by the flea market on Sundays and unearth some real treasures.

Place Crillon

A chic, relaxed atmosphere

Somewhat coquettish, the Place Crillon, home to the former Comédie, Avignon’s 1st theater, welcomes us in a chic, relaxed atmosphere. On the outskirts of the square where Avignon locals love to spend their evenings for an afterwork or a wild party.

The plus

Fine gourmets with a passion for gastronomy can feast at one of Avignon’s finest restaurants

Avignonnais’ advice

This is the ideal place to unwind over a cup of tea after a day’s shopping.

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