Avignon for a week - things to do?
 

My girlfriend and I are going to Avignon in May. Can somebody help me with places to visit, recommended restaurants, entertainment, shopping, daytrips, things to avoid, etc.

Scott, <BR> <BR>I strongly recommend that you buy (or get your hands on a copy of) the Eyewitness guide to Provence. <BR> <BR>The obvious answers really are the places you should go: Arles, Orange, Nimes, Pont du Gard, Aix en Provence, Les Baux, St Remy, Gordes, Senanque. <BR> <BR>I strongly recommend a concert (at night, of course) in the Theatre Antique in Orange. <BR> <BR>I strongly urge having a car, and (if, and only if you do) you might consider part of your stay at www.campagne-jeanne.com (though this is near Aix en Pce, not Avignon - - and maybe you already have your lodging plans set, since you didn't ask about those). I think it looks intriguing, and you CAN find a personal account of someone who has stayed there on this forum (I have NOT actually stayed there). <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR> <BR>

Scott, <BR> <BR>Rex has mentioned most of the places I would suggest. My wife and I did spend a week in Avignon last October and the day trips we made were: Les Baux/St. Remy, Pont du Gard/Villanueve Les Avignon, Morre Negre (Luberon Mt. Range). The only thing in St. Remy that really looked interesting to me was the Roman Ruins just outside of town, however we had just spent most of the morning/early afternoon walking around Les Baux so we just stopped for coffee in St. Remy. Most of St. Remy seemed to be taken over by the tourist trade so it came across to us as a Disney version of France. I believe there is a nice market in St. Remy on certain days though. Pont du Gard, in my opinion, was "very cool". Pictures don't do this site justice. If you want to do some hiking, The Luberon Mountain Range is about an hour and a half drive through some nice towns that are destinations in there own right. Also, Avignon itself is worth at least a couple of days seeing the obvious sights (Popes Palace, Pont St. Benezet, etc.) and just wandering around exploring. <BR> <BR>I hear that May is a great time to visit Provence as well. I'm sure you'll have a great time regardless of what you choose to see. <BR> <BR>

It has been a few years since I lived in Avignon (anyone else an alumnus of the Institute for American Universities?), but here are some suggestions: rent a bike on the Ile de Barthelasse (sp?), the island in the Rhone just across from the Pont d'Avignon; hang out in the gardens of the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes); visit the Roman ruins in Nimes and other places in Provence; visit a Cistercian abbey in the Luberon (you will be amazed at the simplicity compared to most European churches; see the ochre mines in Roussillon. If I think of other places, I will pass them on. The weather should be just perfect in May!

I have spent a lot of time in Avignon. You are getting a lot of good advice. I would put Les Baux and Pont du Gard at the top of the list. If you like wine explore the Chateauneuf du Pape region--also Gigondas and Cairanne. There is some good hiking in the Dentelles near Gigondas. <BR>One of my favorite restaurants in Avignon is l'epiciere (sp?) behind the palace of the popes. I would recommend not eating at any restaurants on the Place d'horloge--most are tourest traps. A favorite day trip is to Arles and the Roman forum and the cloisters of St. Trophime. There is also a walking tour of pictures that Van Gogh painted. <BR>In Avignon visit the new Les Halles for cheese, etc.

True about Place d'Horlage, but there's a very nice patisserie at the south edge of the square, with glacerie. If you'd like to dine in high style (plus enjoy the challenge of trying to find it), head to Auberge de Cassagne in Le Ponte. And drive through Camargue with all the white horses to Stes. Marie, taste the Mediterranean and hope to see a gypsy wedding, as we just did.

Scott, you should check their calendar to see when the Medieval Festival is. We were there in late May last year, and that is when Avignon had theirs. It was big fun, with parades, crafts, food booths, and interactive activities all weekend. It really added to our trip! <BR> <BR>My favorite restaurant is L'Epicerie (I did a post on this in a previous thread), which features fresh ingredients and a casual but smart dining atmosphere. They even have these French cowboys come around to play live music during dinner! If you don't have reservations, go early to avoid the dinner crunch. <BR> <BR>I also agree with Rex--do explore those areas!