Avignon - Hotels, Flights, Tourism, Accommodation, Transportation

Few people realize that the pope's palace was relocated to France during the middle Ages. In lovely Avignon, visitor's can still experience the former seat of the papacy in this endlessly charming southern city. Obviously, the Pope's Palace is a must-see. While you visit, also be sure to take a cruise on the Rhone River. . Avignon is a city full of history, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse département, located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, with a population of approximately 100,000 people.

Travel To Avignon by Eurostar

Eurostar known for its high-speed trains in which you can relax in comfort and with stylish surroundings. It’s easy to travel to Avignon with Eurostar, from July to September you can travel direct to Avignon with Eurostar, with an average journey time of 6 hours from London. At any other time of the year, simply change at Paris and travel on by train to Avignon with TGV.

London Avignon Train Eurostar takes you to the heart of Avignon.  Avignon is one of the top Eurostar Destinations and there are direct Eurostar Train from London to Avignon via Paris, which currently are between 10 July 2010 to 11 Sept 2010 on weekly  basis every Saturday St Pancras International and Ashford International Station to Avignon Gare D'Avignon Centre Train Station. There are connecting trains to Avignon Train Station throughout the year and you can travel from St Pancras International, Ashford International or Ebbsfleet International Train Station to Lille Train Station or Paris Gare du Nord and then take the Eurostar partner TGV train service to Avignon TGV Train Station.

The two train stations in Avignon are Gare Avignon Centre (at 42 blvd St-Roch) and Gare Avignon TGV (which is around 4km from southwest of town).  Gare Avignon Centre has local trains to and from Arles, which takes around 20 minutes and costs approx €6.30 and to Nimes (approx €8.10) taking around 30 minutes.  Gare Avignon TGV has TGV connections to and from Marseille, which is around 35 minutes distance and costing approx €51.80).  As explained above, July, August has Eurostar running on Saturdays directly from London to Avignon and back  Shuttle bus service from Navette links Gare Avignon TGV Station every half an hour stopping in front of the post office at cours President Kennedy.

Some useful information about Avignon -

• An ideal spot in Avignon is the beautiful bridge called the Pont St-Benezet (also called as the Pont D'Avignon)
• Main Post of Avignon is at Cours President Kennedy, where you can get currency exchange services as well
• Tourist office in Avignon is at 41, cours Jean Jaures (+33 (0) 32 74 32 74) opened between 9am to 5pm Mon to Sat and 9.45am to 5pm on on Sunday. The Avignon Passion Pass which you can get from the tourist office, entitles you for a discounted entry to the museum.
• Left luggage facility available between 7am to 7pm in winters and 7am to 10pm in summers costing from €4 per bag.
• There are thousands of people taking place in the most famous Festival d'Avignon being held every year between early July to early August.  Another famous festival runs along this festival, called Festival Off in Avignon, a much cheaper and fringe event there.

Sightseeing in Avignon -

Pont St-Benezet - The fabled bridge also called as Pont D'Avignon (Tel - 04 90 27 51 16) is one of the most attracted places, which was completed in 1185. The bridge is 900 meters long wooden bridge and have been repaired and rebuilt many times.  In 1600, all but four of its 22 spans were washed away.  You can see it free of cost from the Rocher des Doms park, Pont Edouard Daladier or from across the river on the Ile de la Barthelasse's chemin des Berges.

Palais des Papes - This palace was built during 14th century and was intended to be a fortified palace for the papal court. This palace is the largest Gothic Palace in Europe with bare rooms available.  The tel of Palais des Papes is +33 (0) 04 90275000 and it opens from 9am to 9pm in Aug, 9am to 8pm in July and early mid Sept and entry tickets start at €6 for adults.  Kids below 12 years and students get free entry.

The Musee du Petit Palais - This palace shows Italian religious paintings from 13th century to 16th century art with both Botticelli and Carpaccio making an appearance. You can reach this palace at +33 (04) 90864458 and the entry tickets start at same €6 per adult and free for under 12 years and students.

The Musee Lapidaire - This museum has collections of Egyptian, Roman and early Christian pieces and it has works of Cezanne famous painter, Manet, Degas, Modigliani.  It also has Van Gogh painting which can be seen only here in the entire Provence (available at Musee Angladon).  You an do an entire old city tour from various tourists operators.

Hotels in Avignon - If you are traveling to Avignon during festival season, you must book your accommodation at least one month in advance. Some of the famous and cheaper places are Camping Bagatelle (20 minutes walk from the centre on Ile de la Barthelasse, YMCA-UCJC outside Villeneuve-les-Avignon (has massive swimming pooland terrace with panoramic views), Hotel Splended with pretty looking neighbouring park, Hotel Boquier and many more.

There are hundreds of eating out places in Avignon and you will get all kinds of food there. From Au Tout Petit, Numero 75 and many more.

Avignon City Map

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