Avignon, France: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Avignon, France, is a city with a rich history and cultural significance. Known as the City of the Popes, it boasts attractions such as the Papal Palace, Notre Dame des Doms Cathedral, and Saint-Ruf Abbey. For those looking to travel to this charming destination, it is useful to know that Avignon does, in fact, have an airport. Avignon-Caumont Airport (AVN) is an international airport located just a few kilometres outside the city. However, it is a small airport with limited flight options, so some travellers opt for nearby alternatives.

Avignon-Caumont Airport

The airport has a single terminal measuring 1,500 square metres (16,145 square feet) and can handle 200,000 passengers per year. It offers direct flights to Birmingham, London City Airport, and Southampton, as well as various charter flights during the summer season. The airport has a total of three restaurant areas in the terminal building, offering a variety of food options. There is also a hotel with a restaurant located near the terminal, providing conference spaces for business use.

The airport resides at an elevation of 38 metres (125 feet) above mean sea level. It has one paved runway designated 17/35, measuring 1,880 by 45 metres (6,168 feet by 148 feet). There are also two parallel grass runways: 17R/35L and 17L/35R, with the shorter grass runway designated for ultralight aircraft.

Transport to Avignon

Avignon is a city in the heart of Provence, France, with a wide range of transport options for getting there and getting around. Avignon has two train stations: Gare Centre, a 2-minute walk from the historic centre, and Gare TGV, 6km from the city centre. The closest airport to Avignon is Avignon-Caumont Airport, a 10-minute drive from the city centre. However, this airport currently only operates business aviation, with no scheduled flights. For scheduled flights, the closest airports are in Marseille, Nîmes, and Montpellier.

Getting to Avignon

By Plane

As mentioned, Avignon-Caumont Airport is the closest airport to Avignon, located just 10km from the city centre. However, for scheduled flights, you'll need to fly into one of the nearby airports:

• Marseille Provence Airport (90 km from Avignon)
• Nîmes-Alès-Camargue-Cévennes Airport (56 km from Avignon)
• Montpellier - Méditerranée Airport (95 km from Avignon)

By Train

Avignon has two train stations:

• Gare Centre: This station is just a 2-minute walk from Avignon's historic centre and a 15-minute walk from the famous Palais des Papes.
• Gare TGV: Located 6km south of the city centre, this station has a contemporary design and offers high-speed TGV connections to various destinations, including Paris, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, and Nîmes.

By Car

Avignon is easily accessible by car via the A7 freeway and the A9 motorway. If you're driving, it's recommended to leave your car in a parking lot and explore the city on foot, by bike, or using public transportation.

Getting Around Avignon

On Foot

Avignon's walled city is compact and walkable. The Palais des Papes and Pont d'Avignon are easily accessible on foot, but comfortable shoes are recommended due to the cobblestone streets.

By Public Transportation

Avignon has a well-developed public transportation network, including buses and trams. The company that manages the public transport system is called Orizo. They offer various ticket options, such as single-trip tickets, multi-trip tickets, and day passes. The ZOU! card is also available, offering discounts of up to 75% on local bus and rail transport.

By Bicycle

Cycling is a popular way to get around Avignon, with numerous cycle paths and parking facilities. Vélopop is a self-service bicycle hire service with racks located throughout the city. Electric velopops are also available, with 300 electric bikes accessible 24/7 from stations in Avignon, Le Pontet, and Villeneuve lez Avignon.

By Boat

Avignon offers a unique way to get around by boat, with a free boat shuttle that departs from a point near the Saint Bénézet Bridge (Pont d'Avignon). This shuttle takes you to the Barthelasse Island, one of the largest river islands in Europe, offering a different perspective of the city.

Marseille Provence Airport

Avignon, France, does have an airport, known as Avignon-Caumont Airport (AVN / LFMV). This airport is located just 10 km from the centre of Avignon and offers domestic flights. However, there are other nearby airports with international flights that serve as better options for travelling to Avignon. These include Nîmes-Alès-Camargue-Cévennes Airport (56 km away) and Marseille Provence Airport (MRS / LFML), which is 90 km from Avignon.

The airport caters to a wide range of airlines and destinations. Some of the destinations served by Marseille Provence Airport include Athens, Heraklion, Algiers, London–Gatwick, Bristol, Düsseldorf, Seoul–Incheon, Istanbul–Sabiha Gökçen, Casablanca, and many more. The airport also serves as a focus city for Air France.

With its convenient location, extensive flight network, and historical significance, Marseille Provence Airport plays a crucial role in connecting the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region with the rest of the world.

Nîmes-Alès-Camargue-Cévennes Airport

Avignon in France does have an airport, known as Avignon-Caumont Airport (AVN / LFMV). However, the nearest airport to Avignon is Nîmes-Alès-Camargue-Cévennes Airport (FNI / LFTW), which is 23.3 miles or 56km away.

The airport has one paved runway, measuring 2,443 by 45 metres (8,015 ft × 148 ft), and is at an elevation of 309 feet (94m) above mean sea level. It serves as a commercial airport, with services operated by Ryanair, as well as a naval air base.

Avignon's history

Avignon, also known as the "City of the Popes", is a former Christian capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site in France. The site of Avignon has been occupied since the Neolithic period, as evidenced by excavations at Rocher des Doms and the Balance district. The name of the city dates back to around the 6th century BC and was first cited by Artemidorus of Ephesus.

In the 4th century BC, the Massaliotes (people from Marseille) began signing treaties of alliance with cities in the Rhone valley, including Avignon. A century later, Avignon was part of the "region of Massaliotes" or "country of Massalia". Fortified on its rock, the city later became and long remained the capital of the Cavares. With the arrival of the Roman legions in 120 BC, the Cavares became Roman. Under Roman rule, Aouenion became Avennio and was part of Gallia Narbonensis, the first Transalpine province of the Roman Empire.

In the 13th century, Avignon was captured by King Louis VIII of France and forced to pull down its city walls and fill up its moat. Avignon became the Pontifical residence in 1309 under Pope Clement V, who moved the papacy from Rome to Avignon. His successor, John XXII, made Avignon the capital of Christianity and transformed the episcopal palace into the primary Palace of the Popes.

In total, seven popes and two antipopes resided in Avignon until 1377, making it the centre of Christianity for nearly 100 years. The papal library in Avignon was the largest in Europe in the 14th century, with 2,000 volumes. The city also became a major trading centre, attracting merchants, painters, sculptors, and musicians.

In the 15th century, Avignon suffered a major flood of the Rhone. In 1476, King Louis XI sent troops to occupy the city due to a dispute over the appointment of the legate. In 1536, King Francis I of France invaded Avignon, which was then part of the papal territory. The people of Avignon received him well, and in return, Francis I granted them the same privileges as French subjects.

In the 17th century, Avignon was considered an important and integral part of the French Kingdom by the provincial Parliament of Provence. In 1663, Louis XIV seized Avignon and the surrounding area in retaliation for an attack on his ambassador to the Holy See. Avignon remained under French control until the French Revolution, when it was administered by a legate.

In the 18th century, Avignon experienced significant development, with the creation of the Avignon-Caumont Airport and the start of the Avignon Festival in 1947. Today, Avignon is a cultural capital, known for its literature and theatre festival, which attracts international prestige.

Frequently asked questions