Three weeks in Avignon calls for a few reliable addresses. Here are the ones I actually know, for sleeping, eating, and going out.
The Avignon Festival 2026 runs from 4 to 25 July. For everything about the programme, see my article on the Avignon Festival 2026.
Where to stay
La Mirande — 4 place de l'Amirande
The most beautiful address in Avignon. The hotel is housed in a 14th-century palace, steps from the Palais des Papes.
The rooms are decorated as if time stopped, econd-hand objects, fabric, texture, everything I love. Nothing clinical, nothing standardised. The kind of place where you immediately understand why Avignon draws people from all over the world.
In July, La Mirande is at the heart of everything. The Festival passes right by its door.
Le Bristol — 44 cours Jean Jaurès
More accessible, well located on cours Jean Jaurès, two minutes on foot from the city walls. A practical, central address that works well for those who want to be in Avignon without breaking the bank.
Open 24/7 — useful for late show nights.
Where to eat and drink
Bar du Change — 24 place du Change
My place in Avignon. Perfect for breakfast, a tartare with fries, a coffee, or an Aperol Spritz.
A quiet little square in the historic centre where locals have been coming for lunch forever.
Simple service, very fair prices, and the steak à cheval is an institution. You sit down, take your time, come back. If you're in Avignon during the Festival and you're looking for a place that feels like real city life, this is it.
Open non-stop during the festival from 7:30am to midnight.
Le Beou — rue Violette
A little off the beaten track, calm, away from the Festival crowds. Very good food, generous portions, relaxed atmosphere. The kind of place you go when you want a quiet evening rather than the usual central bustle. Perfect for summer evenings.
Casa Bronzini — 13 place de l'Horloge
Café, bar, restaurant — open from 7:30am to 12:30am every day.
Good for a morning coffee, good for an evening drink. Very central but without the tourist-trap feel of some neighbours on the square.
Le Festival — 2 rue Saint-Agricol
Steps from everything, open until midnight. A solid address for eating between two shows, practical and no fuss.
Where to go out
Le Bibendum — 83 rue Joseph Vernet
Le Bibendum. Haussmannian mouldings, Parisian atmosphere, historic building on rue Joseph Vernet. Cocktail bar, wine bar, lounge and brasserie, good for lunch and dinner. Polished atmosphere, good cocktails, genuinely beautiful décor.
Closed on Mondays and Sundays.
Meanwhile at Graphicaderme
If you're in Avignon for the Festival and you have a tattoo project in mind, I work by appointment at Graphicaderme studio, 29 rue Thiers — 5 minutes on foot from La Mirande.
Three weeks on site is enough time to build something. → Getting a tattoo during the Festival
Two options depending on budget: La Mirande for the most beautiful experience in Avignon, at the foot of the Palais des Papes. Le Bristol for a central, accessible option on cours Jean Jaurès, open 24/7.
Bar du Change for a local, no-fuss lunch, the steak à cheval is unmissable. Casa Bronzini on place de l'Horloge for a morning coffee or evening drink. Le Festival on rue Saint-Agricol for eating between two shows. Le Bèou on rue Violette for a calm, well-cooked dinner away from the crowds, generous portions, great for summer evenings.
Le Bibendum, rue Joseph Vernet. Haussmannian mouldings, Parisian atmosphere, cocktail bar, wine bar, lounge and brasserie. Good for lunch and dinner both. Closed on Mondays and Sundays.
Yes. I work by appointment at Graphicaderme during the entire Festival. → Getting a tattoo during the Festival
