Avignon

Avignon is a city in southeastern France, situated on the Rhône River. It is the prefecture of the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-C Côte d’Azur region. The site’s history extends back to Roman times, when it was known as Avenio.

From 1309 to 1377 Avignon was the seat of the papacy during the Avignon Papacy, when popes resided in the Palais des Papes. The papal court oversaw extensive building, and the city grew as a religious and political center before the return of the pope to Rome.

The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes the Palais des Papes, the pont Saint-Bénézet (the Pont d’Avignon), the fortified city walls, and the Rocher des Doms. The Papal Palace remains the dominant monument and a major draw for visitors.

Avignon hosts the Festival d’Avignon, an influential international theatre festival founded in 1947 by Jean Vilar, held annually in July. The economy relies on tourism, administration, and nearby wine production, notably in the Rhône valley around Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The city has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. Its urban fabric preserves Gothic, medieval, and Renaissance architecture, along with narrow lanes and terracotta roofs, reflecting its rich Provençal heritage and culinary traditions.