Car hire in
Avignon

At our car rental in Avignon branch we offer a premium selection of compact saloons and family-sized estate cars perfect for city driving. We also have a range of sports cars and convertibles. There is nothing better than choosing one of these luxury rental cars for a drive along the banks of the River Rhône on a sunny day. All of our vehicles are supplied by trusted names such as BMW, Jaguar, Audi and Mercedes-Benz and we are also pleased to offer a variety of cars adapted for different mobility needs. Selecting from our attractive range of optional extras enhances your car hire in Avignon experience. We aim to offer good deals on unlimited mileage packages and extra insurance while adding additional drivers means your holiday driving can be shared. And, there is no need to worry if you are under 25, we are happy to welcome younger drivers. Other extras in our range include Sat Navs, baby and child seats and for those Winter visits, we carry snow chains and ski racks.

Avignon Train Station TGV is on Place de l'Europe. Our desk is clearly signposted in the vehicle rental section to the North of the station concourse. Frequent buses run from the city centre to the TGV station.

While it is possible to drive within the city walls of Avignon, this historic area is crisscrossed with narrow streets that can be challenging. A Sat Nav is certainly advisable. Once away from the city, touring the region is a pleasure with a choice fast motorways or scenic country roads.

There is plenty of car parking just to the North of the city walls or off the perimeter road near the Palais des Papes. From both of these locations, all tourist attractions are easily accessible by foot.

As you take a leisurely drive along the River Rhône in your car hire the old town of Avignon with its medieval ramparts will be perched on the hill above you. Once inside the walls, you will discover a maze of cobbled streets and passageways that are still lit by lanterns at night and flooded with the glorious Provence light during the day. A light that has long attracted artists to the city. See the evidence of this in the Angladon Museum where the works of Picasso, Van Gogh, Manet and Cezanne can be enjoyed. Also still visible in the old town is an 18th-century waterwheel. The most imposing building, however, and well worth a visit is the Palais des Papes. During the 14th-century popes led a pampered life of luxury in this Gothic residence while wielding power throughout Europe. Look out for the wall paintings that have survived six centuries.

Of course, no visit to Avignon is complete without a glimpse of its bridge, immortalised in the much-loved nursery rhyme, "Sur le Pont d'Avignon". Just four of the original 22 arches of the Pont St-Bénézet remain and it is hard to imagine that there was ever much room for dancing on this narrow bridge as the song suggests. The legend goes that Benezet, a local shepherd, was told in an angelic vision to build the bridge. When permission was denied he angrily threw a stone into the river and this became the bridge's foundation stone. The papal powers were convinced by this demonstration, Benezet was canonised and the bridge quickly built. A chapel dedicated to Benezet can still be seen.

If seeing the Pont d'Avignon has inspired you then take the short drive to Le Pont du Gard. This impressive Roman aqueduct bridge with its three levels is the best-preserved example of Roman architecture in France. Stroll across the bridge for fantastic views down the River Rhône before popping into the small museum next to it.

Distance to Le Pont du Gard

• From Avignon Train Station TGV: 17.5 miles, about 30 minutes

Arles is best known as the place where Van Gogh settled when he discovered the unique Provence light. But it is also home to 2,500 years of history including some very imposing Roman monuments such as the Arena.

Distance to Arles

• From Avignon Train Station TGV: 22.5 miles, about 40 minutes

No visit to this region of Provence would be complete without a wine-tasting tour of the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards. The vineyards that produce this robust, famous and expensive red wine are located around the village of the same name.

Distance to Châteauneuf-du-Pape

• From Avignon Train Station TGV: 13.5 miles, about 30 minutes

Avignon is at the heart of one of France's richest agricultural regions with fruit, vegetables, grapes and the dye crop, madder all important products. Big employers in the area are tourism, the airport and the University of Avignon. In 1976 two wings of the Palais des Papes were converted into a conference and convention centre. The elaborate Grande Tinel and Grande Audience rooms are used for entertainments, conferences, exhibitions and private functions.

Distance to the Palais des Papes

• From Avignon Train Station TGV: 4 miles, about 15 minutes