Avignon with a private driver: the Palais des Papes and the bridge
In the 14th century the popes settled in Avignon; the city’s historic heart was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995 as the “Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge”. On its website, the palace describes itself as the largest Gothic palace in the world. According to the monument, a visit to the palace and the papal gardens takes about two hours, and a combined ticket covers the palace, the gardens and the bridge.
Since 1 May 2026, the palace has been renewing its visitor route and opening rooms never shown to the public before; the work continues until spring 2027. Check its website before setting a time for your visit.
The Pont Saint-Bénézet, the “Pont d’Avignon” of the French nursery song, was built from the 12th century onwards; according to Avignon Tourisme, just 4 of its 22 arches remain. The ramparts, 4.3 km long, enclose a centre best explored on foot: your chauffeur drops you at one of the town gates and collects you at the agreed spot, with no parking space to hunt for.
The Festival d’Avignon, every July
Founded in 1947 by Jean Vilar, the Festival d’Avignon was born in the Cour d’honneur of the Palais des Papes and now uses more than thirty venues in the city and the surrounding area. Its 80th edition ran from 4 to 25 July 2026, with the Festival Off on the same dates. The 2027 dates had not yet been published in September 2026, so check them on the Festival’s website. Tickets are booked directly with the Festival.
In 2026, from 4 to 25 July, between noon and 2 am, the City of Avignon applied a pedestrianisation plan to the historic centre: car access was restricted to residents and users registered with its traffic control service, the CIRAPS. For a performance inside the walls, your chauffeur therefore drops you at a gate in the ramparts and meets you afterwards at a spot set in advance. If your hotel or holiday rental is inside the walls, say so in your request: its access arrangements are checked before departure.
Arriving at Avignon TGV station or the airport
Avignon has two separate stations, as Avignon Tourisme points out: the Gare Centre, close to the tourist office, and the Gare TGV, 6 km from the city centre; a TER regional train links them. Check which one is on your ticket. Your chauffeur can meet you at either, then drive you to your hotel or on to a villa. For the Alpilles and the northern Luberon, Avignon TGV is often closer than the stations in Marseille or Aix: see Chauffeur at Saint-Charles station.
Avignon-Provence Airport, 8 km from the centre, has no scheduled flights, according to Avignon Tourisme: it handles business aviation, and your chauffeur can meet you there on arrival. If your cruise ship calls at Marseille, a day in Avignon is planned around the all-aboard time: see Chauffeur at the cruise port.
Around Avignon: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Villeneuve, the Luberon
According to INAO, the French body for designations of origin, it was the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, some fifteen kilometres north of Avignon, that received the first appellation d’origine contrôlée, in 1936. The appellation covers five communes in the Vaucluse, including Orange and Sorgues. With a chauffeur, nobody has to drive after a tasting. For a day devoted to wine, see Provence wine tour chauffeur.
On the right bank of the Rhône, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon faces the city of the popes. The Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction, founded in the 14th century by Pope Innocent VI, now houses the Centre national des écritures du spectacle, devoted to playwriting; it is open to visitors and hosts Festival events in July. Fort Saint-André offers a panorama from the Palais des Papes to Mont Ventoux.
To the east, Gordes, one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, and Sénanque Abbey open the way to the Luberon: see Private driver in the Luberon and the Alpilles. To the south, Arles and the Camargue make for another day out: Chauffeur for the Camargue and Arles.
Planning your day in Avignon
Two highlights are better than a crowded programme. A few combinations that work well:
- Avignon in the morning, with the palace, gardens and bridge, then lunch and Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the afternoon.
- An evening at the Festival from Marseille or Aix: dropped off before the performance, collected afterwards at the agreed spot.
- Arrival at Avignon TGV, then straight to your villa in the Luberon or the Alpilles, with one stop on the way if timings allow.
For a day out, the chauffeur and the car remain at your disposal for the time set out in the quote. Tell us the date, the pick-up address and time, the number of passengers and bags, any visits, tastings or performances already booked, and when you would like to be back. Cars are provided by the Federation’s members, subject to their availability. Let’s talk about your visit, or use our Contact page.