Surrounding Avignon

Arles [46 km] Large town on the Rhone, with Roman Arena and Theater; Great Provencal museum, cafés, shops. UNESCO site: Roman and Romanesque Monuments (199x).

Avignon [0 km] Lovely, active town, Palace of the Popes, sites, museums, shops, Festival d'Avignon. Way too much for 1 day visit. UNESCO site (1995) - Historic Center, Papal Palace and the avignon Bridge.

Les Baux-de-Provence [31 km] Ancient fortified village in the Alpilles, with an old village and extensive fortress area to visit. Nearby Carrieres Lumieres, St-Remy. A "Plus Beaux Villages de France".

Beaucaire [27 km] Town on Rhône, across from Tarascon. Canal harbor. Chateau fortress is visitable.

Beaumes-de-Venise [34 km] Village at the edge of the Ventoux mountains; old houses, narrow streets of the medieval village rise up to the reddish sandstone cliffs with many caves.

Bonnieux [49 km] Perched village full of picturesque old streets, fountains, shops, Medieval walls, cafés and restaurants.

Carpentras [28 km] A large town with a cathedral and ancient sites inside a central circle of small streets.

Cavaillon [25 km] Large farming town famous for its cantaloupes (melons).

Châteauneuf-du-Pape [19 km] Home of the world-famous Cotes de Rhone wine, is a medieval village with the ruins of a medieval castle.

Fontaine-de-Vaucluse [33 km] Medieval village where the Saorge river gushes up from a pool, the dragon chased away by St Veran; paper mill and souvenir shops.

Gordes [38 km] Beautiful old village perched on the edge of the Plateau de Vaucluse cliffs, 12th-c castle; Borie stone village. A "Plus Beaux Villages de France".

L' Isle-sur-la-Sorgue [28 km] L'Isle en Venise, 'Venice of Provence', a maze of canals and river branches,large water wheels, old-town markets, 30 antique shops, antique market. Grand Brocante Easter, 15-Aug.

Orange [31 km] Roman Provencal town, triumphal arch, theatre antique, Cote d'Rhone vineyards, dining, music festival. UNESCO site: Roman Theatre and its Surroundings and the Triumphal Arch

Pernes-les-Fontaines [27 km] A lovely medieval fortified town, with 14th-16th-c defensive walls, "portes" and a well defined Medieval center; over thirty 18th-c fountains. A "Plus Beaux Detours de France".

Pont du Gard [26 km] Famous 3-level stone aqueduct crossing the Gardon river, built in 19 BC. UNESCO site: Roman Aqueduct

Pont-Saint-Esprit [47 km] Small town with a great Saturday market, historical sites, very long bridge over the Rhône.

Saint Rémy-de-Provence [20 km] Interesting little town, where Van Gogh painted and Nostradamus born. Sat or Wed market day is best for a visit.

Senanque Abbey [41 km] 12th-c Cistercian abbey near Gordes, in a beautiful setting of lavender fields.

Sorgues [12 km] A small town on the 10 km NE of Avignon, with shops, cafés, old-town streets. Especially active for its famous Sunday market.

Tarascon [25 km] Medieval fortified town on Rhône, across from Beaucaire. Chateau visitable.

Uzès [40 km] Very interesting town with lots of sights, old streets, chateau in the center, and a great Saturday market, Medieval Garden.

Vaison-la-Romaine [55 km] An ancient townwith a vast collection of Roman ruins; picturesque and dynamic; Summer its full of music, dance and theatre festivals. A "Plus Beaux Detours de France".

Valréas [66 km] This Medieval walled town, in the Pope's Enclave, has vaulted passages and picturesque narrow streets.

Villeneuve-les-Avignon [4 km] Village across the river from Avignon, with great sites, including Val-de-Bénédiction Monastery the St André Fort.

Villes-sur-Auzon [46 km] Village at the edge of Mt Ventoux and the Plateau de Vaucluse with an old center in a fortified circle of buildings.