LOCATION HOTSPOT


Avignon is on the River Rhône


Avignon: city of the popes


A papal favourite, famed for its bridge to nowhere, Karen Tait explores Avignon’s ancient streets to fi nd out why it’s still a desirable place to live


I


n the heart of Provence, Avignon is one of southern France’s most impressive historic cities. At its centre


towers the monumental Pope’s Palace – home to the heads of the Catholic church for 68 years in the 13th century when they temporarily decamped from Rome. Then there’s the famous, now truncated, bridge (Pont St-Bénézet) – you all know the song, of course. Every year thousands of tourists stroll along it, no doubt humming “sur le pont” as they go. Within its well-preserved


ramparts, the city guards many medieval architectural gems with an Italian twist, due to its famous Roman inhabitants. Narrow picture-postcard streets and pretty squares lined with golden-stone buildings lead to the Unesco-listed Palais des Papes in the old town. If you buy a property


‘intramuros’ (within the walls), you’ll have easy access to restaurants, shops, markets, museums, galleries, theatres and cultural events including


one of the world’s most renowned performing arts events, the Festival d’Avignon held every July. The prefecture of the


Vaucluse department, Avignon is well connected via the A7 autoroute and high-speed train (TGV) station. For UK fl ights, there are airports at Nîmes, Montpellier and Marseille. Quality of life is a huge


part of Avignon’s appeal, along with its historical and cultural charm, Mediterranean cuisine and a relaxed southern


On the market


lifestyle. The city provides both urban amenities and proximity to natural beauty, including vineyards, olive groves, lavender fi elds and charming Provençal landscapes and villages. The coast is less than an hour’s drive away. The average property price


per square metre in Avignon is €2,477, rising to €3,364 in the historic Palais des Papes district. Across the Rhône river, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon off ers a more tranquil residential feel while still being close to the


city – refl ected in the average price of €3,946/m2 at €4,246/m2


is the Île de la


Barthelasse (France’s largest river island), again off ering a quieter environment close to Avignon. More aff ordable areas include Montfavet (€2,646/m2


)


to the southeast of the city with its mix of property options and plenty of green spaces. These property prices compare to €2,983/m2 Vaucluse and €4,246/m2


across for


the wider Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region ■


FIND MORE PROPERTIES ON FRANCEPROPERTYSHOP.COM & FRENCHENTREE.COM


. Also pricey


€89,000: Two-bedroom apartment with large balcony, cellar and parking spaces, in a quiet extramuros neighbourhood with local shops (Leggett)


78 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: May/June 2024


€170,000: This one-bedroom apartment intramuros, in the old town, is within easy walking distance of cafés, restaurants and shops (Leggett)


€690,000: Situated in the Vernet district, this three-bedroom townhouse with sunny terrace and garage is in a quiet spot in the historic centre (Leggett)


© SHUTTERSTOCK


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