Walking Tours
The Avignon Tourist Office (tel: (04) 3274 3274) organises guided tours in French and English, departing on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings (April to October). Tours are based on a specific theme and cover the major city sights. Most of the tours depart from the main tourist office, 41 cours Jean Jaurès.
A wander along the picturesque pedestrianised streets and up to the Rocher des Doms or along the city's ramparts is recommended as a good route for a self-guided tour of the city.
Bus Tours
Cars Lieutaud, cour de la Gare SNCF (tel: (04) 9086 3675; website: www.cars-lieutaud.fr), operates bus tours in Provence, which depart daily from Avignon Central Station, boulevard St Roch (April to October). Half-day tours include Vaison-la-Romaine, Orange, Pont du Gard, les Alpilles, Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards and the Luberon. Full-day trips to Nîmes, Arles and the Camargue run on Fridays. On Wednesday mornings, there is a trip to a Provençal market, at St Rémy de Provence. Private tours with an English-speaking driver can also be arranged, with hotel pick-up available.
Visit Provence (tel: (04) 9014 7000; website: www.self-voyages.fr) offers excellent value tours in air-conditioned minibuses. Destinations for half-day tours include Pont du Gard, St Rémy, Les Baux, Arles, the Luberon and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. A full-day tour includes Avignon, Les Baux, Luberon and wine tasting. The price includes an English-speaking driver, hotel pick-up and drop-off, and entrance fees where applicable.
Boat Tours
Les Grands Bateaux de Provence (tel: (04) 9085 6225; website: www.avignon-et-provence.com/mireio) offers a variety of river cruises on the Rhône, including boat trips between Avignon and Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. A return journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. Tickets are for sale at the Allées de l'Oulle landing stage, tourist offices, Pont St Bénezet or on board.
In addition, a frequent five-minute ferry service crosses the river from the Pont St Bénezet to the Ile de la Barthelasse. Visitors can take a bicycle (see Getting Around) and ride around the paths or just stroll, for magnificent views over the Palais des Papes and city ramparts.
Train Tours
Les Trains Touristiques d'Avignon (tel: (06) 1135 0666; website: www.petittrainavignon.com) operates daily tourist trains that chug around the Old Town (journey time - 35 minutes).
The Avignon Tourist Office (tel: (04) 3274 3274) organises guided tours in French and English, departing on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings (April to October). Tours are based on a specific theme and cover the major city sights. Most of the tours depart from the main tourist office, 41 cours Jean Jaurès.
A wander along the picturesque pedestrianised streets and up to the Rocher des Doms or along the city's ramparts is recommended as a good route for a self-guided tour of the city.
Bus Tours
Cars Lieutaud, cour de la Gare SNCF (tel: (04) 9086 3675; website: www.cars-lieutaud.fr), operates bus tours in Provence, which depart daily from Avignon Central Station, boulevard St Roch (April to October). Half-day tours include Vaison-la-Romaine, Orange, Pont du Gard, les Alpilles, Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards and the Luberon. Full-day trips to Nîmes, Arles and the Camargue run on Fridays. On Wednesday mornings, there is a trip to a Provençal market, at St Rémy de Provence. Private tours with an English-speaking driver can also be arranged, with hotel pick-up available.
Visit Provence (tel: (04) 9014 7000; website: www.self-voyages.fr) offers excellent value tours in air-conditioned minibuses. Destinations for half-day tours include Pont du Gard, St Rémy, Les Baux, Arles, the Luberon and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. A full-day tour includes Avignon, Les Baux, Luberon and wine tasting. The price includes an English-speaking driver, hotel pick-up and drop-off, and entrance fees where applicable.
Boat Tours
Les Grands Bateaux de Provence (tel: (04) 9085 6225; website: www.avignon-et-provence.com/mireio) offers a variety of river cruises on the Rhône, including boat trips between Avignon and Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. A return journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. Tickets are for sale at the Allées de l'Oulle landing stage, tourist offices, Pont St Bénezet or on board.
In addition, a frequent five-minute ferry service crosses the river from the Pont St Bénezet to the Ile de la Barthelasse. Visitors can take a bicycle (see Getting Around) and ride around the paths or just stroll, for magnificent views over the Palais des Papes and city ramparts.
Train Tours
Les Trains Touristiques d'Avignon (tel: (06) 1135 0666; website: www.petittrainavignon.com) operates daily tourist trains that chug around the Old Town (journey time - 35 minutes).
