Livability scores

• Walkabilityⓘ 17 / 20

  Avignon’s compact historic center and dense mix of shops and services make most daily errands feasible on foot.

  Sources:

  • Avignon tourism - historic center description
  • Avignon tourism - shopping and amenities
• Rail Connectivityⓘ 7.3 / 10

  Avignon is served by Avignon Centre and Avignon TGV stations with frequent regional TER and high-speed TGV links to major French cities.

  Sources:

  • SNCF - Avignon Centre station info
  • SNCF - Avignon TGV station info
  • SNCF TER Sud - Avignon rail map
• Public Transitⓘ 6 / 10

  The Orizo network provides buses and trams across Avignon and surrounding communes, offering broad but not metro-level coverage.

  Sources:

  • Orizo network presentation
  • Orizo tram and bus lines
  • Grand Avignon mobility overview
• Affordabilityⓘ 7.3 / 10

  Avignon shows relatively moderate rents and property prices compared with major French cities, supporting a high affordability score.

  Sources:

  • Numbeo – Cost of Living in Avignon
  • Numbeo – Cost of Living Comparison Avignon vs Paris
  • Numbeo – Property Prices in Avignon
  • Indice Ville – Prix m² et loyer moyen à Avignon
• Safetyⓘ 5 / 10

  Numbeo data show Avignon with moderate crime and a safety index around the mid‑50s, indicating perceived safety is average.

  Sources:

  • Numbeo Avignon crime and safety
  • Numbeo Avignon quality of life (includes safety)
• Air Qualityⓘ 7 / 10

  EEA and AtmoSud monitoring indicate Avignon generally meets EU air quality standards but experiences occasional PM and ozone peaks.

  Sources:

  • EEA Air Quality - Avignon area stations
  • AtmoSud - Avignon air quality
  • French Ministry for Ecological Transition - air quality
• Quality Of Lifeⓘ 6 / 10

  Numbeo reports Avignon’s quality of life index in the mid‑140s, reflecting good climate and amenities but moderate safety and purchasing power.

  Sources:

  • Numbeo Avignon quality of life index
  • INSEE city profile for Avignon
• Food Cultureⓘ 8 / 10

  Avignon is a noted Provençal gastronomy hub with multiple Michelin‑listed restaurants and strong local market culture.

  Sources:

  • Michelin Guide - Avignon restaurants
  • Avignon tourism - gastronomy
  • Les Halles d’Avignon market
• Car Free Practicalityⓘ 7 / 10

  Pedestrianized streets in the historic center plus tram and bus coverage make daily life manageable without a car for many residents.

  Sources:

  • Avignon tourism - pedestrian historic center
  • Grand Avignon mobility and public transport
  • Orizo tram and bus network

Advantages & drawbacks

Monthly costs

• Estimated monthly cost €1,400 – €1,600
• Monthly transit pass €40

Food guide

Avignon’s food culture blends Provençal market cooking, Rhône Valley wines, and a few distinctly local specialities such as papeton d’aubergine and daube avignonnaise. Expect olive oil, garlic, seasonal vegetables, lamb, and salt cod to appear across bistros, market stalls, and wine-focused restaurants inside the medieval walls.

Signature dishes

• Papeton d’aubergineLocal eggplant flan, traditionally molded like a papal tiara and served with tomato coulis.
• Daube avignonnaiseLamb shoulder stew marinated in white wine and herbs, a lighter local spin on classic French daube.
• CrespéouLayered omelette “cake” of herb and vegetable mini-omelettes, served cold and linked to Avignon/Comtat Venaissin.
• TapenadeOlive paste (often black olives, capers, anchovy) served with bread or crudités as a Provençal apéritif staple.
• Brandade de morueCreamy salt-cod preparation whipped with olive oil and garlic, common in Avignon despite its inland location.
• Agneau de SisteronLamb from the hills above Provence, seasoned by wild herbs and featured on Avignon menus.
• Les Papalines d’AvignonPink chocolate and liqueur confection associated with Avignon’s papal history.
• CalissonAlmond and candied melon sweet from nearby Aix, widely adopted on Avignon dessert plates.

Where to eat

• Les Halles d’Avignon Covered market / food hallIndoor market where locals buy produce, olives, tapenades, pastries and eat at stalls in the morning.
• Carré du Palais Wine bar / tasting roomTasting venue on Place du Palais showcasing Côtes du Rhône and Rhône Valley wines paired with local food.
• Numéro 75 Bistro restaurantCourtyard restaurant known for relaxed lunches and festival-season dining; mains around 26–32 EUR.
• Bibendum Wine bar / apéritif spotCourtyard bar on Rue Joseph Vernet, popular for early evening drinks and small bites.

Markets & food shopping

• Les Halles d’Avignon (covered market)
• Place des Carmes market (open-air neighborhood market)