Avignon

Avignon, a walled medieval city on the banks of the Rhône, is centred around the Palais des Papes, an extensive Gothic complex reflecting the papal presence here in the 14th century, and the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet, better known as the Pont d'Avignon. Close to the palace, the Rocher des Doms garden offers open views over the river and surrounding countryside, while the Petit Palais museum houses collections of Italian and Provençal painting. The city makes a convenient base for exploring the Vaucluse and Gard regions: the Fontaine de Vaucluse, a well-known karstic spring, the hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence, and the Pont du Gard, a listed Roman aqueduct, can all be visited within a day. Across the river, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon is worth the short trip, with Fort Saint-André, a fortified former abbey overlooking the valley, and the Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction. Further afield, roughly an hour's drive away, the Colorado Provençal draws visitors with its striking ochre formations. Avignon enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers well suited to evening sightseeing, particularly during the city's lively summer festival.