Weather in Avignon

About Avignon

Avignon's massive stone ramparts encircle papal palaces and medieval streets where 14th-century popes ruled Christendom. The Pont d'Avignon (famous bridge) spans the Rhône; the Palace of the Popes dominates. Theatre thrives; arts flourish. This is theatrical France.

Country

France

Best months to visit

May, June, July, August, September, October

Currency

EUR

Language

French

Things to do in Avignon

Tour the Palais des Papes (papal palace) Walk the famous Pont d'Avignon bridge Explore the medieval old town within walls Visit the Musée du Petit Palais (Renaissance art) Attend the Avignon Festival (July) for theatre and performance art Day trip to nearby Villeneuve-lez-Avignon

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

10C

Cool, with occasional showers.

February

12C

Cool, with occasional showers.

March

16C

Cool, with occasional showers.

April

19C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

Recommended

May

23C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

Recommended

June

29C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

Recommended

July

32C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

August

31C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

September

26C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

Recommended

October

21C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

November

15C

Cool, with some rainy days.

December

11C

Cool, with occasional showers.

Avignon's massive Palais des Papes is a reminder that this small Provencal city was once the centre of the Christian world, when popes ruled from here in the 14th century. The walled old town hosts one of Europe's biggest theatre festivals every July, while the broken bridge of the Pont d'Avignon, immortalised in a French nursery rhyme, juts out into the Rhone as if it simply gave up partway across.

Best areas to stay in Avignon

Palais des Papes & Old Town

The walled centre dominated by the papal palace, with squares, restaurants and the cathedral.

Pont d'Avignon (Pont Saint-Benezet)

The famous broken medieval bridge over the Rhone, with views back to the palace.

Rocher des Doms

A hilltop garden above the old town offering panoramic views over the Rhone and surrounding countryside.

Les Halles Market

A covered food market in the old town, good for Provencal produce, cheese and a casual lunch.

Getting to Avignon

✈

Flights

Marseille Provence or Nimes airports are around 1 hour away by car or train; Avignon TGV station has direct high-speed connections to Paris.

⏱

From London

~2.5-3 hours by TGV from Paris; around 2 hours by air from London to Marseille plus a short onward journey.

🚕

Getting around

The old town is compact and walkable; a car is useful for exploring the Luberon, Pont du Gard and other Provencal day trips.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Palais des Papes?

The vast Gothic palace that served as the seat of the papacy in the 14th century — one of the largest medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, with an audio guide bringing its bare halls to life.

Is the Avignon Festival worth planning around?

If you're interested in theatre and performance, yes — every July the city hosts one of the world's largest performing arts festivals, though accommodation gets booked up and pricier.

Why is the Pont d'Avignon famous?

It's the subject of a well-known French nursery rhyme ('Sur le Pont d'Avignon'); only a few arches of the original medieval bridge remain, jutting into the Rhone.

Is Avignon a good base for Provence?

Yes — the Luberon villages, Pont du Gard, Arles and the Camargue are all within an hour or so by car, making Avignon a convenient hub for exploring the region.

How do I get to Avignon?

TGV trains connect Avignon to Paris in around 2.5-3 hours, and Marseille or Nimes airports are roughly an hour away by car or train.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Visited during the festival and the whole city felt alive with street performers and pop-up shows — booked the Palais des Papes audio tour which was excellent context for the grandeur.

Theo L. · July 2024

★★★★☆

Used Avignon as a base for day trips to the Luberon villages and Pont du Gard — both easy drives and the city itself was lovely to return to in the evenings.

Rachel O. · April 2023

★★★★★

The view from Rocher des Doms over the Rhone and the broken bridge at sunset was one of the best moments of our whole Provence trip.

Mathieu P. · September 2024