Villeneuve en Scène Festival
A true garden of the Avignon festival, Villeneuve en Scène celebrates its 30th edition honoring contemporary itinerant theater.
Plizio Visual Lab
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
ℹ️Practical info — Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Cross the Rhône via bus or walk over the bridge from Avignon for quieter views of the Palais des Papes.
- Visit the Fort Saint-André in the late afternoon for golden hour light and memorable panoramas of Mont Ventoux and Avignon.
- Parking in the historic center is limited; use the parking lots near the river or Chartreuse.
- On Thursday mornings, don't miss the local Provencal market on Place Charles David.
- Save money by getting the "Avignon City Pass" if you plan to visit sights on both sides of the river.
🍽 Food
🍽
Pistou Soup
Local vegetable soup with basil paste. Try it in traditional bistros near Place Jean Jaurès.
🍽
Daube Provençale
Provencal beef stew, first-rate in cooler months, often found in restaurants along the main historic street.
🍽
Tarte aux fruits
Grab a fresh fruit tart from a local patisserie on Rue de la République.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Thursday Market
Place Charles David for fresh produce, cheeses, and Provencal olives.
🛍
Flea Market
Saturday mornings on Place Charles David for antiques and second-hand goods.
🛍
Local Wine
Look for Côtes du Rhône wines in independent cavistes (wine shops) in the center.
🧘
Jardins de l'Abbaye Saint-André
Peaceful terraced gardens with roses and olive trees, offering magnificent views over the Rhône.
🧘
La Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction
Explore the vast, quiet cloisters of this massive Carthusian monastery.
🧘
Colline des Mourgues
A wooded hill park handy for a tranquil stroll and panoramic views.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
1
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, located in the Gard department directly across the Rhône river from Avignon, features a serene and historically profound counterpoint to its bustling neighbor. Founded as a frontier town by the French kings to monitor the Popes in Avignon, it is brimming with majestic medieval architecture. The imposing Fort Saint-André towers over the landscape, providing sweeping panoramic views of the Rhône valley, Mont Ventoux, and the iconic Palais des Papes. The town is also home to the Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction, one of the largest Carthusian monasteries in Europe, where visitors can wander through silent cloisters and ruined chapels that whisper of centuries past. Another landmark is the Tour Philippe-le-Bel, the defensive tower that once controlled access to the famous Pont d'Avignon. Strolling through the historic center, travelers will find elegant townhouses, quiet gardens, and a less commercial, more authentic provençal atmosphere. A beloved weekly brocante (flea market) takes place on Saturdays, drawing antique hunters from all over. Villeneuve-lès-Avignon perfectly combines monumental history with a relaxed, sophisticated village feel, making it an essential stop for architecture enthusiasts.
- Location: Occitanie, France
- Top sights: Fort Saint-André · Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction · Saint-André Abbey
- Nearby: Avignon-Sud (5 km)
- Population: ~13.148
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 4 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 19 | 15 | 9 | 5 |
| Rain mm | 49 | 40 | 44 | 56 | 56 | 37 | 25 | 31 | 62 | 85 | 98 | 52 |
Geography
Facts
- Fort Saint-André was initiated under Philip the Fair.
- The Chartreuse features three large cloisters.
- The municipal area is 18.27 km².
- The Philippe-le-Bel Tower stands 27 meters tall.
- The tomb of Pope Innocent VI is located in the monastery.
- The Rhône River separates the town from Avignon.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (7)
Frequently asked questions
How is Villeneuve-lès-Avignon connected to Avignon?
The towns face each other on the banks of the Rhône. You can get there by bus (line 5), by car, or on foot across the bridge.
Is Fort Saint-André worth visiting?
Yes, the fortress provides one of the best panoramic views of Avignon, the Popes' Palace, and the Rhône valley.
What is the Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction?
It is an impressive former Carthusian monastery from the 14th century, known for its cloisters and peaceful atmosphere.
Is there a local market?
Every Saturday morning, a very popular antique and flea market (Brocante) is held, attracting collectors from all over the region.
What are the 'Livrée cardinalice'?
These are grand palaces built in the 14th century for the cardinals when the papal seat was in neighboring Avignon.
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon: where is it located?
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon is located in Occitanie, France.
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon: what is there to see?
Highlights include Fort Saint-André, Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction, Saint-André Abbey.
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon: why is it worth visiting?
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, located in the Gard department directly across the Rhône river from Avignon, features a serene and historically profound counterpoint to its bustling neighbor.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Europe
More places in France →
Nearby cities
Montpellier
Montpellier is a dynamic city in the south of France, known for its medieval streets, its university, and the sunny Place de la Comédie.
Nîmes
Nîmes preserves France's Roman heritage with its arena, temple, and a strong southern identity.
Perpignan-Nord
Perpignan-Nord is an extension of the city with industrial and residential areas.
Perpignan
Perpignan sits near Spain and blends Catalan flair with a Mediterranean climate and a lively old town.
Perpignan-Sud
Perpignan-Sud is an area for housing and local infrastructure in the south.
Béziers
Béziers sits near the Mediterranean and is known for the Canal du Midi, vineyards, and its distinctive old town.
Albi
Albi is a red-brick city and UNESCO site with a powerful cathedral and a charming old town.
Narbonne
Narbonne is an ancient Roman city near the coast with a cathedral, canals, and a southern Mediterranean feel.
Castres
A picturesque Occitan city famous for its colorful houses lining the Agout river and its major pharmaceutical industry.
Alès
The gateway to the Cévennes, a city with a deep mining heritage and a key industrial hub in Occitanie.
Sète
Sète is a harbor city between lagoon and sea, known for its canals, fishing traditions, and seafood cuisine.
Onet-le-Château
A dynamic suburb of Rodez with an impressive medieval castle and a modern cultural life.
Rodez
Rodez sits on a hill in Aveyron and combines a medieval old town with modern culture.
Lunel
A historic city between Montpellier and Nîmes, famous for its sweet Muscat wine and vibrant Camargue bull-running traditions.
Agde
An ancient Mediterranean city known as the 'Black Pearl' for its dark volcanic stone buildings and the famous seaside resort of Cap d'Agde.
