Overview
Avignon is known as the city of the popes and as a major artistic center in France. The best time to visit Avignon is during July when the Avignon Theatre Festival springs to life. Avignon is located in Southern France on the south bank of the river Rhone. Avignon has a temperate climate.
Statistics
Location: Department of the Vaucluse, Provence region, southern France
International Dialing code: 33
Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October)
Average temperatures (January): 6°C (43°F)
Average temperatures (July): 25°C (77°F)
Official Language: French
Currency
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in Avignon, France. Currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some large hotels. Major credit cards are widely accepted.
1.00 GBP = 1.13 EUR
1.00 USD = 0.69 EUR
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
Emergency Contacts
Police: 17 - free call
Fire service : 18 – free call
Ambulance : 15 – free call
Attractions

Palais des Papes
(Palace of the Popes)

Musée du Petit Palais
(Little Palace Museum)

Pont St Bénezet
(St Bénezet Bridge)
Nightlife
When the Avignon Festival begins, the entire city becomes frenetic, particularly around the Place de l'Horloge, Place du Palais, trendy Rue Carnot and Place des Corps-Saints. Bars, restaurants, and night clubs stay open late; usually well past midnight thanks to France's relaxed licensing laws. To find out more about specific nightlife activity, acquire a copy of the Rendez-Vous, a free monthly publication featuring art and theater events, as well as live music listings.
Shopping
Determined to bring home gifts for family or friends? Don't look any further than Avignon's main shopping street, the Rue de la République, home to Monoprix department store, FNAC, and many more boutiques. Chic boutiques line Rue Joseph-Vernet, which runs east off Rue de la République, opposite the main tourist office. Rue St. Agricol is lined with a variety of different boutiques, including designer outlets like the Christian Lacroix Boutique. If your heart is set on food or flowers don't look any further than the outdoor markets at Rempart St. Michel and Place des Carmes. Provincial specialties include olive oil, lavender, brightly printed fabrics, sugared fruits, chocolate and fig or melon jam.
Hotels
The hotels in Avignon have been grouped into four different pricing categories:
Category 4 – Over €180
Category 3 – From €140 to €180
Category 2 – From €100 to €130
Category 1 – Up to €100
These prices are per room per night and include all taxes and breakfast.
Resturants
The restaurants in Avignon have been grouped into four different pricing categories:
Category 4 – Over €100
Category 3 – From €70 to €100
Category 2 – From €40 to €70
Category 1 – Up to €40
These prices are for a three-course meal for one with a bottle of house wine or equivalent.