Avignon Walking Tour including Pope's Palace
Avignon

Price: €69
Min age: 4
Rating 4.35 / 5 [101 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Travel bucket list idea:
When the popes abandoned tumultuous Rome in 1309, they came to Avignon. Seven reigned here until 1377, in a colourful period of greed and depravity that the poet Petrarch labelled the ‘Babylonian captivity’. They left behind nothing less than the biggest Gothic palace of all time, built for luxury as well as defence.
Although much of its decoration has been lost over time, it has lost none of its power to amaze. It’s a big site not really suited to younger children, though ‘Les Luminessences’ – an outdoor 3D show, held every evening from mid-August to late September – is good for all the family.
The palace’s Musée du Petit Palais houses an outstanding collection of medieval and early Renaissance art, including a lovely Botticelli Madonna and an altarpiece by Enguerrand Quarton.
Within the palace grounds, you’ll find an excellent wine shop selling 55 different Cotes du Rhone wines at vineyard prices.
Guided tours are currently only in French (pre-COVID they used to have English tours too – check the website to see if they’re back). Even without a tour, the new multimedia installations recreating the sumptuous 14th century bring the palace and popes to life.
The palace is open all year round, seven days a week. In summer, arrive at opening time to avoid queues. It’s more of a treat in the winter, when you practically have it to yourself.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Avignon
Price: €69
Min age: 4
Rating 4.35 / 5 [101 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Avignon
Price: €122
Min age: 4
Rating 4.55 / 5 [9 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Avignon
Price: €275
Min age: 6
Rating 4.84 / 5 [19 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Avignon
Price: €440
Min age: 0
Rating 4.66 / 5 [9 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Provence, France
A lively medieval town bursting with art and creativity, and centrally located for sightseeing in Provence. Host of the superb Avignon Festival.
Provence, France
Gorgeous landscapes peppered with beautiful villages, sunflowers and lavender, art-filled towns, lively cultural festivals and exquisite food and wine. Provence is everything you imagined it would be.
Provence, France
Fascinating Roman, and medieval monuments and memories of Van Gogh, plus a winsome shabby-chic charm.
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
The great civilisations of the past have left a legacy of constructions that still stand out and inspire. Built without the wonders of 20th-century technology, many are also monumental feats of engineering; others offer such grace and beauty, that they’ll literally take your breath away.