Avignon is compact, with most of its main sights within a three-mile radius of its defensive walls. Shaped by the River Rhône, which flows along its western perimeter, the city is surrounded by mountains to the east and west, while one of Europe’s largest peaks, the 6,200ft Mont Ventoux, overlooks the town from the north.

The N570 and N580 encircle the city, providing easy access to Avignon’s top sights. Turn off Boulevard de la Ligne, head under the thick historic walls and use one of the parking lots along Rue Ferruce. From here, you can explore the Musée du Petit Palais, Palais des Papes and Rocher des Doms. Many other parking lots can also be found in the city, including near to the shopping district along Rue de la République.

A number of major roads surround Avignon, making it easy to plan day trips to nearby towns and villages. Take the D2 and in 45 minutes you’ll be in Arles, where there are plenty of Roman landmarks to discover. Nimes is also 45 minutes away if you take the N100 and A9 and has just as many Roman treasures as Arles including Les Arenes, a well-preserved amphitheater.

Afterward, you can drive over to Les Baux de Provence, a medieval village built on a rocky mound in the picturesque countryside of the Alpilles hills. Or you can take the D5 highway from Avignon to St Remy de Provence. This is where the Dutch impressionist master, Vincent van Gogh, created some of his most beautiful paintings.

While on the road in France, you’ll use the right-hand side. The speed limit on freeways, known here as autoroutes, is 130 km/h (80 mph), but it can depend on the weather. Most of these are toll roads. In cities, towns and villages, limits lower to 50 km/h (31mph).

Situated on the eastern side of the Rhône in the Provence region, Avignon is a fairytale papal city complemented by a warm Mediterranean climate, which translates into long hot summers and crisp, dry winters.

Getting lost in the city is all part of the fun, although you’ll soon find out that all roads in Avignon lead to the Rue de la République.

Places and Popes

The Pope’s Palace is at the north end of the walled city and looms over the Rhône river, the fourth longest in France. Avignon was the papal home from 1309 to 1377 and proceeded over seven French popes before Pope Gregory XI moved the papacy back to Rome. It’s the largest Gothic palace in the world and has served both as a fortress and castle since its conception.

You can go on a walking tour of Old Avignon, which stretches around the Pope’s Palace. On any guided tour, you’ll come across King René’s house in the rue Roi-René and the Place de l’Horloge, which is a spectacular square famous for its pavement cafes. Any walking tour is likely to go past the iconic Pont St-Bénézet bridge which, for a period, was the only crossing point on the Rhône river between Lyon and the Mediterranean.

Pack in Provence

You can explore the magnificent Provençal landscape with ease from Avignon. From the city center, you’ll end up winding through verdant hills covered in lavender, stopping at UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard that spans the Gardon River, and the antique stores of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

Afterward, drive south to Les Baux de Provence, a fortified medieval village made from the limestone-rich earth. While on the road you can also visit the rustic beauty of Roussillon and Gordes, where you’ll enjoy gorgeous views and souvenir shopping. On the way back to Avignon, make sure to drive up to the Lavender Museum in Coustellet and learn more about farming in the Provence region.

French festival fun

The highlight of the city’s cultural calendar is the annual ‘Avignon Festival’, where the world’s greatest theater actors arrive in the French town. The festival has been the main draw of France’s summer calendar for half a century, and the biggest venue by far is the Papal Palace, which can host up to 2,000 spectators.

Another top cultural event takes place in August – ‘Les Luminessences d’Avignon’. For two months, the Papal Palace plays host and reveals its secrets through a spectacular 3D show with video and audio special effects. During the festival, you can go on a thrilling journey through the centuries: colors and light play will transform the palace into an open-air theater and take you back in time to medieval Avignon when it was the cradle of the Catholic church.

So, whether you want to relive the town’s sacred past or explore its lavender fields on a day trip, you can do this and much more with car rental in Avignon.