Avignon: the South's artistic cityAvignon: an artistic city

Italian primitives, street art and contemporary art rub shoulders to the delight of art aficionados. The performing arts are celebrated every summer during the festival which bears the city's name. Young Jazz artists congregate there and make their first appearances in the month of August...

If the idea of sunning yourself on a beach all summer long doesn’t take your fancy and you prefer to experience delightful sights and sounds, Avignon and its arts and culture will surprise you!


It's hot in summer, particularly in the South of France. Take a tour of Avignon’s buildings and most emblematic sites (and there are plenty of them!) without tiring yourself out – by simply getting around on a segway.

The Palais des Papes, Rocher des Doms, Eglise Saint-Pierre and Pont Saint-Bénézet – all are among the sites not to be missed.


PLASTIC ARTS


  • When the late afternoon arrives and temperatures are a little cooler, go in search of the graffiti art scattered around the walls and façades within the city walls. You will certainly have an opportunity to admire frescoes signed by Pablito Zago (Instagram: @pablitozago) and GodDog (Instagram: @_ goddog_), darlings of Avignon street art.
Segway
Pablito Zago

  • To stay cool you can also head to the Hôtel Particulier de Caumont which is host to the Collection Lambert: 2,000m2 dedicated to contemporary art, over 1,200 works ranging from the 1960s to the present day, not to mention the temporary exhibitions. Gifted to the city by the gallery owner Yvon Lambert when establishing his own personal collection there, this has subsequently been embellished by other major works. You can also admire paintings by Monet, Delacroix and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

    The Collection also has a bookshop and a restaurant should you wish to spend the day there.

  • Of course, you shouldn't miss the traditional museums: the Musée Angladon, the Musée Calvet and the Musée du Petit Palais with its collection of Italian primitives dating from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

PERFORMANCE ART


  • Avignon is famous for its annual festival of the performing arts. Taking place every summer during the month of July and attracting around 150,000 spectators, the festival boasts 50 different shows from both France and abroad. Most are artistic creations or premieres in France.

    If you have a curious or adventurous spirit, take a look at the off version: it is much broader in its scope and can be more off-beat.

  • As for music, every year the city also plays host to a reinvigorating Jazz festival which features young musicians from around Europe. This can be a real stepping stone for these artists, and takes the form of a contest in which the public can vote for their favourite group. A rather nice way to enjoy the concerts and encourage young talent!
Off Festival
The Halles d'Avignon

Because we need to eat well and because the South of France is full of local produce with each dish as tasty as the next, you should go to the Halles d’Avignon. After admiring their impressive façade made of plants, take the time to wander around the stalls. Fruit, vegetables, cold meats, cheeses or wines, you'll find everything you need to make up the perfect picnic basket for your future outings.

And for an original dining experience, have lunch at the Cuisine Centr'Halles, a small restaurant located right in the heart of the halles. There you can sample the menu of the day, made with fresh daily produce by Jon Chiri, a Californian chef who fell in love with Provence.