Getting a tattoo during the Avignon Festival

Every summer, the same question comes up in the studio: can I spend a few days in Avignon to get a tattoo? I quite understand the idea. The Festival makes you want to leave a memory of the city and many people stay there long enough to take the time to think about a project.

The answer is yes, but not under any circumstances. The real issue isn’t the Festival itself: it’s mainly the sun, the heat, the long days of walking and everything else you have planned right after the meeting.

Yes, but I would mainly be thinking about healing

The problem isn’t really the Festival. The problem is more what you plan to do right after the tattoo. If your schedule for the next few days is swimming, beach, sunshine, and eight hours of hiking in 35 degrees, this probably isn’t the best timing.

On the other hand, if you stay in town for several days and you can properly organize the care, it is obviously possible. You just need to integrate the healing process into the program instead of thinking of the tattoo as an activity that you tick off between two gigs.

I have included all my current recommendations in my article about aftercare.

Taking the time to build the project

Many people come to Avignon for several days, sometimes for much longer. For a somewhat structured project, it’s nice not to have that impression of having to decide everything in thirty minutes before catching a train the same evening.

You can discuss, show references, think about the placement, and take the time to check that the idea really works. For a large project, I always prefer that to a decision made in a rush.

And if you’re still at the stage where you’re looking for the right person for your project, I’ve also written an article about how to choose your tattoo artist.

Summer still requires a little more organization

Of course, the sun remains the main issue. A fresh tattoo needs to be protected during its healing process, and that’s not always very convenient in July when you spend all day outdoors.

I also think about the clothes, the sweating, the long days of walking, and the very crowded places. There’s no reason not to get a tattoo in the summer, but you just need to be prepared to adapt your daily routine a bit for a few days.

And the Festival remains mostly a very good memory of the city.

I grew up in Avignon, so I have a rather special relationship with that period. We grumble a lot about crowded streets, the posters everywhere and the difficulty of getting around, but as soon as the Festival is over the city seems almost too quiet.

If you are coming mainly to discover the city, I have also written a broader article about my view of Avignon during the Festival, as well as a guide with my addresses for sleeping, eating and going out. You will find, among other things, Le Change, Place du Change.

Also read to prepare your stay

• Avignon Festival 2026: dates, program and atmosphere
• My hotels, restaurants and cafes in Avignon during the Festival
• The Change site, Place du Change in Avignon

FAQ: Getting a tattoo during the Avignon Festival

Is it a good idea to get a tattoo while on holiday?

Yes, if you can actually follow the care instructions afterwards. If you plan on swimming, sunbathing and being in the sun all day, I would choose another time instead.

Can you walk all day after a tattoo?

It depends mainly on the area being tattooed. A long day of walking can be uncomfortable on a freshly tattooed leg or foot, especially with rubbing and sweating.

Can a fresh tattoo be exposed to the sun?

I avoid it during the healing process. Once the tattoo has healed properly, I also remain very vigilant about sunscreen to preserve the pigments.