Hotels in Avignon

Stay inside the Intra-Muros (walled city) for the closest access to the Palais des Papes and the Pont Saint-Bénézet; Île de la Barthelasse suits travelers wanting quiet riverside camping or gîtes a 5-minute ferry ride from the ramparts; Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, across the Rhône in the Gard, offers lower rates with a 15-minute bus link. Most visitors stay two to three nights; Marseille Provence Airport is 80 km south via the A7 motorway.

Where to Stay in Avignon

Intra-Muros holds the density of hotels, from 2-star chambres d'hôtes near the Place de l'Horloge to 4-star properties flanking the palace square. Streets tighten after dark, so choose a hotel with private parking or use the Parking des Italiens outside the Porte de l'Oulle. Île de la Barthelasse draws cyclists and families; a free navette ferry crosses from Allées de l'Oulle between April and October. Villeneuve-lès-Avignon sits 3 km northwest and provides a calmer alternative during the Festival d'Avignon in July, when Intra-Muros prices peak sharply.

Getting Around

Avignon has two rail stations. Avignon TGV (Gare Courtine), 3 km southeast of the walls, serves high-speed TGV trains from Paris Gare de Lyon in 2 h 40 min. Avignon Centre handles regional TER services toward Arles (20 min), Nîmes (30 min), and Orange (15 min). Bus line 30 links the TGV station to the city walls in 12 minutes.

Practical Tips

• Book early for July: the Festival d'Avignon (first three weeks of July) fills every room within 20 km; reserve three to four months ahead.
• Parking: the walled city restricts vehicle access; Parking Les Italiens (outside Porte de la République) is the main public option.
• Mistral wind: pack a light layer year-round; the Rhône valley channels this northerly wind even in summer.
• Day trips: Les Baux-de-Provence is 30 km south; Pont du Gard is 25 km southwest.