Avignon


Avignon
The old papal city and capital of the Vaucluse department, Avignon, lies beautifully on the banks of the Rhône river between Nîmes, Arles and Orange. Provacances offer holiday houses in the nearby villages Les Angles (5.5 km), St.Rémy de Provence (20 km), Carpentras (26 km), Fontaine de Vaucluse (36 km) and in the old Roman city Orange (32 km). The area offers fantastic nature experiences in the very verdant and mountainous surroundings. There are good possibilities for exploring the Provencal hinterland and for a huge variety of outdoor activities including walking and hiking tours, climbing, cycling, paragliding, horseback riding, canoeing, angling and golfing.

Activities in Avignon

  • The theatre festival every year in July: www.festival-avignon.com.
  • Theatre.
  • Opera.
  • Art galleries.
  • Markets.
  • Public swimming pool.
  • Tennis
  • Squash
  • Ice skating centre.
  • Excursions.
  • Outdoor activities in the Vaucluse area, see following websites: http://www.provenceguide.com/gbcdt/index.asp; http://www.hautvaucluse.com/pdf/guidea.pdf (Guide to activities and sights in the Haut Vaucluse area).
  • Climbing
  • Walking and hiking tours in wonderful surroundings
  • Paragliding
  • Cycling: Challenges for everyone – both experienced and families with children. There are several scenic tours to other villages in the area, many easy mountain routes as well as the difficult Mont Ventoux route.
  • Golf –There are lots of courses in the area, 4 in the department of Vaucluse and a lot in the neighbouring department Bouches du Rhône. Most of the courses can be found on the French golf union’s website. Unfortunately the website is in French. Seek under Guide de golfs and then under the region Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur: http://www.ffgolf.org/#
  • Ski resorts within easy travelling distance: http://www.skifrance.fr/default-a.htm

Sights in Avignon

  • Pont Saint-Benezet (Pont d’Avignon): The famous bridge over the Rhône river.
  • Musée Théodore Aubanel: Exhibits art of printing, Provencal furniture and literature.
  • Musée Lapidaire: Situated in a former Jesuit college from the 17th century. Exhibits Egyptian, Celtic-Ligurian, Gallic and Roman things.
  • Chapelle St-Nicolas: A building from the 16th century, constructed on a foundation from the 13th century. The entrance is by the Tour du Châtelet.
  • Palais des Papes: This imposing palace was constructed by the Popes in the 14th century.
  • The historical centre which has been on UNESCO’s world heritage list since 1995.
  • Musée en Images: Displays more than 1000 pictures of Avignon.
  • Cathédrale Notre-Dame-des-Doms: The city’s cathedral from the 12th century.
  • Musée du Petit Palais: Constructed in 1318 around a courtyard with arcades, reconstructed in 1474. Today the former bishop office is home to Avignon’s collection of medieval art including works of the Siena-artist Simone Martini (1280-1344) frescoes and sculptures from the Avignon-school and many French and Italian paintings of Virgin Mary with the Child.
  • The St. Didier church.
  • Musée Calvet
  • Rocher des Doms: The park on the rock behind Notre-Dame-des-Doms. The first settlements were founded here.
  • Place de l’Horloge: The main square, made in the 15th century. Many of the existing buildings are from the 19th century.
  • Eglise St-Pierre: Church, which was constructed from the 14th to the beginning of the 16th century.
Pont d'Avignon

Avignon is one of the most exciting cities in southern France.

The inner city is still today enclosed by its 5 km fortification walls with 39 towers and 7 gates. Inside the walls is a city with a very rich culture, its own opera and university, schools for foreigners and several theatre troops. The city’s historical centre has, since 1995, been on UNESCO’s list of world heritage.
Palais des papes

The city’s greatest sight is without any doubt the mighty Palace of the Popes, high above the Rhône river.

Due to unrest and anarchy, the Popes preferred Avignon to Rome for almost a hundred years (1309-77). It takes around one hour to wander through the Palace with its two sections, the old Palace built by Pope Benedict XII between 1334 and 1342, and the new Palace, founded by Benedict’s successor, Pope Clemens VI, and completed in 1348. The difference in style is quite visible. The old part has an almost monastic purity and simplicity while the new part is opulently decorated with fantastic fresco works and richly ornamented ceilings.

Next to the Palace of the Popes is the 12th century cathedral, Notre-Dame-des-Doms, where Pope Johannes XXII is buried.

The cathedral has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, but it has retained its original simple style. In the 19th century the golden Virgin Mary was placed at the top of its tower.
Palais des papes

Another famous sight is Pont St-Benezet from the beginning of the 12th century and immortalized in the children’s song Sur le Pont d’Avignon.

Today only 4 of the original 22 arches exist.
The large square in front of Palais des Papes

One must also mention the St.

Didier church which was the biggest church built in Avignon during the Papacy and which style-wise was strongly influenced by Pope Benedict’s old Palace. Here one can find a renaissance work of Francesco Laurana as well as a hexagonal pulpit placed in the centre of the church as an illustration of the very important role of the sermon in the 14th century. Musée Calvet, which houses a big collection of art from the 14th to the 20th century is also well worth a visit. David, Gericault, Delacroix, Corot and Manet are just a few of the very important artists, represented here.

Avignon is a city where culture takes priority.

The city’s past is, in many ways, immortalized and celebrated in the big theatre festivals in July with theatre, mime and cabaret. The festivals were initiated in 1947 by Jean Vilar and reflect the city’s ancient culture. They are today some of the most important cultural events in Europe.

We have 8 holiday homes in or near Avignon

France > Provence Côte d'Azur > Holiday home with shared pool in Apt
Ref.no 84.905
Holiday house in Provence Côte d'Azur, The south of France

Holiday home with shared pool in Apt

Holiday home located 4 km from Apt in the Luberon Regional Park with spectacular views towards Mont Ventoux. Modern house situated on a large closed... Read more

Persons 6
Pool
93 m2
Bedrooms 3
From 749 €
  View rental  
 
France > Provence Côte d'Azur > Holiday home with view to Mont Ventoux in Apt
Ref.no 84.945
Holiday house in Provence Côte d'Azur, The south of France

Holiday home with view to Mont Ventoux in Apt

Beautiful holiday home situated in Apt with a view to the Luberon and Mont Ventoux. The holiday home has a garden of 500 m2 and a large covered... Read more

Persons 4
140 m2
Bedrooms 2
From 766 €
  View rental  
 
France > Provence Côte d'Azur > Holiday home with shared pool in Orange
Ref.no 84.2646
Holiday house in Provence Côte d'Azur, The south of France

Holiday home with shared pool in Orange

Holiday home situated 2 km from the center of Orange. Mont Ventoux 50 km. Restored holiday house, detached to the owners house. Closed garden with... Read more

Persons 3
Pool
40 m2
Bedrooms 1
From 294 €
  View rental  
 
France > Provence Côte d'Azur > Traditional Mas in typical Southern France style with pool
Ref.no 84.320
Holiday house in Provence Côte d'Azur, The south of France

Traditional Mas in typical Southern France style with pool

You will find this newly redecorated pearl, just outside Cavaillon in heart of Provence. The house is situated amongst fruit farms in a quiet area... Read more

Persons 10
Pool
220 m2
Bedrooms 4
Instant confirmation
From 1.532 €
  View rental  
 
France > Provence Côte d'Azur > Charming village house with beautiful roof terrace close to Avignon
Ref.no 84.099
Vacation house in Provence Côte d'Azur, The south of France

Charming village house with beautiful roof terrace close to Avignon

Beautiful restored village house situated at the foot of Fort St. Andre, in the small medieval village of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, only 1.2 km from... Read more

Persons 4
88 m2
Bedrooms 2
Instant confirmation
From 581 €
  View rental  
 
France > Provence Côte d'Azur > Holiday house at Bedoin with view over the village and valley
Ref.no 84.4005
Holiday house in Provence Côte d'Azur, The south of France

Holiday house at Bedoin with view over the village and valley

Located at the foot of Mont Ventoux and 800 m from the village. The property is located in a quiet residential area and has a beautiful view over... Read more

Persons 6
98 m2
Bedrooms 3
From 575 €
  View rental  
 
France > Provence Côte d'Azur > House with pool i Savasse
Ref.no 26.155
Holiday house in Provence Côte d'Azur, The south of France

House with pool i Savasse

Beautiful house on a hillside with panoramic views of the Drôme Provencale. By a medieval village, 7 km. from Montelimar. The house faces south, is... Read more

Persons 15
Pool
350 m2
Bedrooms 7
From 947 €
  View rental  
 
France > Provence Côte d'Azur > Charming village house with beautiful roof terrace close to Avignon
Ref.no 84.099
Vacation house in Provence Côte d'Azur, The south of France

Charming village house with beautiful roof terrace close to Avignon

Beautiful restored village house situated at the foot of Fort St. Andre, in the small medieval village of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, only 1.2 km from... Read more

Persons 4
88 m2
Bedrooms 2
Instant confirmation
From 581 €
  View rental  
Provacances | Sjællandsgade 10b | DK-7100 vejle | Tel. +45 96 70 60 00 | Fax +45 75 71 20 66 | CVR-nr: 28986009 |

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