NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION Avignon is 55 miles (90 km) northwest of Marseille and 370 miles (600 km) southeast of Paris WHEN The festival takes place over three weeks in July
VISITORS PER YEAR
Around 100,000
DAYTIME TEMPERATURE
77°F (25°C) in July
Founded in 1947 by respected theater director Jean Vilar, the Festival d’Avignon is an enormous celebration of the arts and the oldest extant festival in France. With its handsome medieval architecture and massive ramparts, the pretty town of Avignon provides a unique setting for the event, which represents all aspects of culture, from theater and ballet to the latest in dance, music, cinema, and opera. The floodlit courtyard of the historic Palais des Papes, one of the most important Gothic buildings in Europe, plays host to many productions during the three-week period, though there are plenty of other venues around town, including the charming cobbled streets.
Practical Information
Getting There and Around There are regular flights from Paris to Aéroport Avignon-Caumont, located 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Avignon. Taxis and buses run regularly from here to the center. There are also TGV trains to Avignon from Paris, Marseille, and Arles. Avignon itself has an extensive bus network, with reduced-price tickets on some lines during the festival.