Avignon Highlights Tour: Papal Palace and Pont

Discover this historically-significant Provençal city in the company of a local expert. During this 3-hour visit, you will wander through the medieval downtown of charming Avignon, a vibrant city known for art and culture, that once hosted the Papacy.  

You will begin your walk with your local expert by exploring the center of the old town. Here you will certainly stop in front of some of the many theaters or performance venues around the city. The Festival d’Avignon is one of the most significant modern theater festivals in the world. Each July, the streets buzz with performers and spectators who come to participate in the festivities. You may also pass by Maison Jean Vilar, the home where the theater director and festival founder lived for much of his life.

As you discover the center of this charming town, you will notice Roman ramparts, churches, and historic mansions built by some who sought proximity to the Pope. You will also walk through the Place de l’Horloge, the square well-known to be the heart of Avignon.
 
Once you have sufficiently wandered downtown, it is time to head towards the icon of Gothic architecture that is the Palais des Papes. Here you will learn about the architectural significance of the building as well as the story behind why the Papacy moved from Rome to Avignon in the 14th century. Fans of Gothic cloisters, stone towers with castellations, hand-painted frescoes, and grandiose vaulted ceilings will enjoy wandering the grounds while learning about the various additions and adaptations of the palace over the years. 

After your visit of the Papal Palace, you will head towards an architectural monument of a different sort. The Pont Saint Benezet, known by most as the Pont d’Avignon, is your final stop on this tour. Here you will learn why the bridge remains standing today with only four of its original twenty-two arches, as well as why every French child knows the words to the famous tune, Sur le pont d’Avignon. 

At the end of your three hours with a local expert, you will have gained a better understanding as to why this small city was so pivotal to the Roman Empire, as well as an introduction to the Avignon that remains such an important destination for artists and culture-lovers today. 

Interested in learning more about Roman influence in Provence? Try our Introduction to Arles Tour.

The Papal Palace is a 14th-century stone edifice with a significant number of steps and therefore it is not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility or in a wheelchair. There are, however, many places to stop and rest if necessary, for those visitors worried simply about physical fitness. 

The content of the visit is appropriate for children, and guides can adapt accordingly. Clients should be aware that the Papal Palace is has several steep stone staircases. Toddler-aged children will need to be supervised carefully. 

​​Where do we meet? Where does it end?

We will meet in the center of Avignon. The tour ends near the Pont d’Avignon.


What are skip-the-line tickets?

For this tour, your tickets are pre-purchased, which allows you to directly enter the security line at the palace, rather than taking a detour to the onsite ticketing office. You will still have to wait in a security line, which can sometimes move slowly during the peak tourist season.