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A Taste of Provence: Exploring Avignon and Aix-en-Provence
Published on June 13, 2025
After visiting Amsterdam and Paris, we headed south to spend a couple of nights in the charming city of Avignon, located in the heart of Provence. Growing up hearing the famous song about “le pont d’Avignon”, it felt surreal to finally visit in person! This was the perfect place to stop for a couple of nights before continuing our journey to the French Riviera.
Avignon
Two nights in Avignon was the perfect amount of time to take in the charm of this small Provençal city. With its cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, and relaxed pace, Avignon offers a welcome contrast to the intensity of larger cities like Paris. Though I wouldn’t consider it busy, Avignon sees its fair share of tourists given that it’s a popular stop on many Rhône River cruises. However, the city quiets down dramatically in the evenings.
Avignon is easily walkable, and walking tours are available if you’re interested in learning more about the history of the city. If your feet need a break, you can hop on one of the free little shuttle buses that loop through the city. Avignon also has plenty of cozy restaurants and cafés tucked into its quiet corners. We enjoyed Moloko for breakfast, stopped in at Chez Lisette and The Taste Factory for snacks and pastries, and dined at Le Ristretto for a tasty Italian dinner. If you’re visiting in the morning, don’t miss the Les Halles Market for a taste of local life and fresh Provençal produce.
As for things to do, the famous Pont d’Avignon (the Saint Bénezet Bridge) and the grand Place du Palais are must-sees. In the Place du Palais square, you’ll find the Palais des Papes – a UNESCO World Heritage site that was once the seat of the Catholic Church in the 14th century! The purchase of a ticket allows for entry into the palace as well as access to panoramic views of the city and the Rhône River.
To me, Avignon is a place best explored slowly. I loved wandering without an agenda, popping in and out of local shops selling lavender, herbes de Provence, cicada-themed goods, handmade soaps, and other regional specialties, and taking it all in at my own pace.
Aix-en-Provence
On our way from Avignon to our stay in the French Riviera, we stopped in Aix-en-Provence for a couple of hours. This stop was well worth it! Aix has beautiful pastel-color buildings and unmistakable Provençal charm. Compared to the quieter pace of Avignon, Aix was noticeably busier and felt more youthful. Two hours was enough time to wander through the old town, take in the vibrant colors, and stumble upon a lively food market where we grabbed some delicious treats to go. Of course, there are plenty of cafés and bars around the square if you’d rather sit and soak it all in.
Even though our visit was short, it gave us a great taste of Aix’s energy and character. Our final stop on our drive through Provence and along the Côte d’Azur was Antibes, which was a beautiful destination on the coast, and a great preview of what the rest of our trip would have to offer!
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