Things to do in Avignon

Discover the wine country of 3 Grand Crus on this 5-hour guided tour in the Côtes du Rhône. The highlights of this renowned wine region include Gigondas, Seguret, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, whose wines carry the certification of Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC). During your tour you’ll have a chance to admire the beauty of vineyards and the small regional villages dominated by bell towers. You’ll be at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, and in this lovely landscape you’ll learn about wine production and grape varieties. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to taste some fine wines with a wine specialist. The specialist’s expert knowledge will help make your tasting session a unique and memorable experience.

Visit the world-renowned vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape on a full-day excursion from Avignon. Accompanied by a wine specialist guide, visit 4 of the main appellations in the region. Head to the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, one of the world’s best-known wines. Discover grapes such as the grenache, the syrah, and the mourvèdre, which give the wines their fruity and spicy tastes. Visit a wine producer and explore their cellars, where you’ll see the barrels used to age wines for up to 24 months. In addition, learn how to taste wines, using your eyes, your nose, and finally your palate.

Tucked between the Alps to the east and the Rhone River to the west, Provence is a rich tapestry of natural and manmade wonders. On this tour departing Avignon, you will combine a tour of its Roman heritage with a trip to the famous vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.  Start your afternoon wine-tasting tour with the village of Gigondas. Located at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail hill range, the vineyard covers an area of 12 km² and the wines produced belong to the Crus of the southern Côtes du Rhône.  The Grenache noir expresses its full flavor in glimmering red wines with pronounced tannins, a robust body, and a solid propensity for aging. Afterward, stop at the ruins of the castle built by the former Popes who relocated the papacy to Avignon in the 14th-Century and used it as their summer residence. Then drive to the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, one of the world’s most popular wines. Discover the different grape varietals, such as Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, which give distinctly fruity and spicy wines.  The 13 varieties of grapes combined with the various soils create a large palette of complex red wines and elegant white wines. Enjoy a wine-tasting in one of the numerous cellars of the village before going back to Avignon.

Enjoy a scenic tour of Provence and see some of its most beautiful sites in one day. The 10-hour tour takes in the well-preserved Roman aqueduct of Le Pont du Gard, built in the 1st century BC as part of the Nîmes aqueduct from Uzès to Nemausus (now Nîmes). Drive to the rocky outcrop of Les Baux de Provence in the Alpilles mountains. Stroll the historic center to see a beautiful 16th-century house and Romanesque buildings. Continue to Saint Rémy de Provence to explore the remains of the Roman city of Glanum, including a triumphal arch set in an olive grove that inspired Van Gogh. After some free time for lunch, you will visit Roussillon, famous for its red and yellow ochre cliffs. Enjoy panoramic views of Gordes, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful villages in France. Drive to Fontaine de Vaucluse, walk up to the cave from which the River Sorgues emerges. This impressive resurgence spring hasn't revealed its secrets yet and many speleologists have searched in vain the exact depth of the well. On Sundays only, enjoy L’Isle sur la Sorgue, a village famous for antique shops and the weekly open air market which is one of the most colorful and typical in the Provence.  

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Provence during this guided full-day tour from Avignon. Enjoy the town of Fontaine de Vaucluse and stop in the lavender fields for photos. Go for a walk in St-Rémy-de-Provence and take in the views from Pont du Gard.  Be picked up from a meeting point in Avignon and board a comfortable and air-conditioned van for the scenic drive to Fontaine de Vaucluse. Take in the relaxing atmosphere in this town that is next to a spring at the foot of the Vaucluse Mountains. Admire the Provençal landscapes in of Luberon and have a chance to have a photo stop in lavender fields in summer (from June 15th to July 31st). Head over to Gordes which is listed as "one of the most beautiful villages in France." Walk in the red streets of Roussillon and marvel at panoramic views of the Alpilles in Baux-de-Provence. Take a stroll through the beautiful city of St-Rémy-de-Provence. Stop at the ancient Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard before returning to your meeting point. 

Climb up to the top of the fortified medieval city walls and discover Avignon in all its beauty. Explore the rich past of Avignon where the papacy was established in the early 14th-century. Enjoy skip-the-line access and follow your guide inside the Pope's Palace, the largest Gothic palace in Europe. Immerse yourself in this maze of galleries, chambers, and chapels. Walk on the cobbled streets to the Place de l'Horloge and find out about the secret of the painted windows. See the town hall with its clock tower and the theater. Your tour will conclude with a glass of Côtes du Rhône wine served in a restaurant.

This tour takes you to the vineyards of the Rhone Valley, the second largest wine-growing region in France. Vines have been cultivated here since the days of the Romans and the centuries-old tradition is ripe for exploring. Tucked between the Alps to the east and the Rhone River to the west, it is an area rich with natural and manmade wonders. Departing from Avignon, you will drive through the lush landscape on your way to the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The name is familiar across the globe for its exquisite wines, but you will also have time to explore the village and see the ruins of the castle where former Popes built their summer residence after they relocated the papacy to Avignon in the 14th-Century. The tour visits 2 wineries involved in the production of red, white and rosé wines. Go to the cellars and learn everything you could possibly think to ask, about the "terroir,“ grape varieties, vinification and ageing process. You will also get a lesson in how to taste wine using your eyes, nose and finally taste. As the French say, "A votre sante!" Cheers!

Depart Avignon for this half-day wine tasting tour of the some of the best red and rosé wines of France. You will enjoy an entire afternoon to practice wine tasting, including visits and tastings at 2 distinct wineries of the region. Combine tastings with expert instruction about the wines of the Rhône Valley, and learn about the terroir and French system of quality certification known as AOC (Appellation d'origine contrôlée). Explore the agriculture, geography and vineyards of the Rhône, stopping to sample the pink wines of Tavel, known for their dry, crisp and refreshing taste that is perfect for a summer's day. Continue to the famous wine lands of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to discover one of the finest appellations of the Rhône Valley at a 2nd winery.

One of the first stops on your day of discovery is the village of Les Baux de Provence. The narrow streets and the imposing castle ruins date to the Middle Ages – a time of proud lords and troubadours. From the rocky spur you’ll enjoy exceptional scenic views. See the Pont du Gard, a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site that is the best-preserved part of the Nîmes aqueduct. Designed by architects and engineers during the Roman era, it is considered a technical and artistic masterpiece. You’ll continue on to Avignon, the 14th century City of the Popes. See the medieval walls, the Pont d’Avignon that crosses the Rhone River, and the Popes’ Palace, which is the largest Gothic palace in Europe. (Note that entrance fees are not included.) Next on your itinerary is a visit to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, surrounded by its world-famous vineyards. Wine tasting at one of the numerous cellars is included. Please note that you’ll have free time for lunch on your own during the tour, and that the cost of lunch is not included in the tour price.

Discover the lavender fields in full bloom in the villages of Luberon on this half-day tour from Avignon.  Enjoy a scenic and picturesque drive through the countryside, full of beautiful purple fields that stretch as far as the eye can see. Your guide will organize many stops in the countryside to take pictures of the fields. Stop in Roussillon for some free time to wander through this typical provençal village. Indulge yourself here with a scoop of lavender ice cream. Stop for panoramic photos from the hilltop village of Gordes, listed as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages in France". Finally, take a quick photo stop at the Cisterian Senanque Abbey, surrounded by lavender fields.