Avignon is an ancient city in the south-east of France on the banks of the River Rhône – it used to be the seat of Papal power before Catholicism moved its base to the Vatican; the city retained one of the biggest Gothic palaces in Europe.
The region of Provence is famous for its cuisine, and it's highly recommended that you explore the various street markets as well as the many historical attractions that make Avignon's Old City a location recognised by UNESCO. Make sure you take advantage of car rental from Avignon if you want to indulge in some retail therapy or explore the streets that lay further afield.
Car hire from Avignon means that the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, a picturesque town on the Côte d'Azur, and Luberon, a huge series of mountain ranges, are both within easy reach of the city. You can also explore the Camargue, a vast area of countryside sitting on a river delta that has wide lakes across the region.
Around forty minutes from Avignon by car is Les Baux-de-Provence - a town carved from the rock of a mountain and gave name to the mineral bauxite where it was first discovered.
