France’s Famous Avignon Festival In Photos

When we rocked up to the historic city of Avignon for a short day trip during our journey around Provence, we had no idea we would stumble upon its famous art festival. In fact, we knew nothing about the Avignon Festival until we strolled onto its busy streets.

It turns out the Avignon Festival is rather famous. Founded in 1947, it is the biggest theatre event in France. It is, I suspect, the country’s version of the Edinburgh festival. Running from early July to early August, large scale performances are held in a variety of majestic venues including Avignon’s famous Papal Palace (Palais des Papes).

Palais des Papes in Avignon
Palais des Papes in Avignon

But it is on the streets of Avignon where the unofficial ‘fringe’ festival takes over, livening up its piazzas and pathways with around 400 performances a day. We saw costumed actors in thick make-up roam the streets in the sweltering heat handing out flyers and breaking into character every now and then to perform a segment from their show. Costumes from all eras and countries graced the cobbled roads: from 18th century dress to Japanese geishas and even Mickey Mouse. The line up is undoubtably eclectic.

Although we were only there for a few hours, it was a pleasure to soak up the sights and sounds of the Avignon Festival out on the streets. Having visited the city a few years back, we weren’t there to diligently sightsee so had the luxury of taking in the festival atmosphere and I snapped away with my SLR at some of the performers and streets littered with posters. If I hadn’t visited before I may conclude that Avignon had a bit of a litter problem. Here’s a taste of what I saw.

We were treated to a short dance performance from the Marriage of Figaro as we ate ice cream outside the Palais des Papes.

Street performers at Avignon Festival, France

This female performer was covered head to toe in green body paint.

Avignon Festival, France

Actors perform amongst shoppers on Avignon’s bustling main street

Street performers at Avignon Festival, France

This magnificent carousel was a big hit with my daughter while performers dressed as Japanese geishas wandered past

Carousel in Avignon, France

Posters are hung across the city in any way possible.

Avignon Festival, France

Everywhere you looked there was someone dressed in costume, usually handing out flyers.

Avignon Festival, France

Visitors watch an actor perform on the streets of Avignon.

Street Performer at the Avignon Festival, France

My hubby with our 7-week-old daughter wander past some of the festival’s posters.

The Avignon Festival. France

A steel drummer performs to passersby.

Street performer at the Avignon Festival. France

Posters litter the streets of Avignon…

Posters on the streets at the Avignon Festival, France

Even on Avignon’s ancient walls.

Avignon Festival, France

Where there is space, a poster is pinned.

Posters on the streets at the Avignon Festival, France

A building is overtaken by festival posters.

Posters on the streets at the Avignon Festival, France

Have you ever visited Avignon during its festival? Or stumbled across an unexpected festival on your travels?

We stumbled across the famous Avignon Festival by accident. Here's what we saw on the streets of Avignon, France

Packing my Suitcase
Lou Messugo


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Wander Mum

I've always loved to travel so when my two daughters came along, I didn't stop. Travelling as a family can have its ups and downs but I love showing my children the world and helping others navigate travelling with children in tow.

88 Comments
  1. I just love when we stumble upon a festival or event! That happened to us when we visited Wurzburg and Rothenburg we ran into the Volksfest and they were carrying the beer on wagons through the town!

    It was fun to see so many interesting costumes! I especially enjoyed the walked tree haha #CityTripping
    Lolo recently posted…A Weekend in BrugesMy Profile

    1. We stopped by as it was on our way as we travelled between lodgings. I would definitely recommend a couple of days there. We stayed for two nights in Avignon a few years back…a fair bit to see and a beautiful city!

  2. Ooh I love Avignon. That looks like so much fun. I am starting to become obsessed with those carousels. I am so glad they have stood the test of time. They are so beautiful and ornate and you cant help but smile when you see one

  3. Looks wonderful, so great when you stumble across something like this by chance. I love Avignon and is little brother across the Rhone, Villeneuve.

  4. I have never heard of Avignon so thanks much for sharing! Don’t see myself heading to France anytime soon either. It takes a lot of effort to fly the whole family so far away without much work leave on hand from the daddy. Oh that Palais and the carousel! How how how grand! I won’t be able to resist myself from snapping lots of photographs! #citytripping

  5. Oh wha fun that must have been to see! I’ve never been to Avignon before nor have I been to Edinburgh during the festival but I have been to Grahamstown in South Africa during their arts festival. #CityTripping

  6. I don’t think I’ve ever stumbled upon a festival during my travels, but my husband and I definitely went out of our way to be in NYC for July 4th and France for July 14th this year. It’s always fun getting to experience a holiday in a different culture and see what they do for it.

    Any idea what was going on with the Japanese geishas? That seems an odd thing to come across in France…
    Mandy recently posted…A Walk Through Savannah, GAMy Profile

    1. Well planned. Really good to be in the midst of a national festival. The Japanese geishas were part of the festival..there were all sorts of costumed people on the streets. x

    1. Definitely! The city was buzzing.The carousel was the best I’ve seen – it had two levels! I would love to come across a Japanese festival – I hear they have quite a few over there.

    1. I hadn’t! If we had been staying longer it would have been good to see some of the performances (although with them being told French, they may have been a bit lost on me).

  7. I love the ‘fringe’ part of events like this, you see such extraordinary people – and I’ve seen a person in green with all those leaves in Rome as well!Looks like a great event. #citytripping

  8. Way to make your Avignon visit memorable! Back in the UK we stumbled across Bristol Harbour Fesival – a citywide music, drama and food event. It was all by complete chance. We had no idea where to go for our first wedding anniversary and Bristol came up in conversation. It was only when we got there, checked into our hotel and walked out to find some food that we discovered the festival. What luck!

  9. What a bit of luck! We’ve happened into a few small festivals while traveling and it just makes everything so much more fun. I love all the pictures of the performers and my kids would love that carousel! #MondayEscapes

  10. I’ve never been to the Avignon Festival, in fact it’s years since I was last over that way (we live in SW France). But it’s on my bucket list. Thanks for giving us a taste of it in your great photo-tour.

  11. What a great atmosphere! I live so close to Avignon but never seem to make it for the festival. I think I’ve gotten into the local habit of hiding from the heat during the summer months. No excuses next year!!

  12. Even though your visit to the festival was not planned, I think you did a great job of capturing the feel of the event! This is a classic must do for anyone in the area during the festival – just make sure to book your hotel well in advance and remember the streets will be closed off to cars.

  13. Avignon is relatively close to me and I’ve been but not at Festival time. Living where I do I have heard of it, and seeing your fun photos makes me think we really should try and get there next year. It’s only about 2.5 hours drive which is nothing! As for stumbling across festivals, we were in Kotor (Montenegro) for unexpected Carnival (completely different time from carnival in the rest of the world, hence unexpected) and it was WILD! It was by a long way the noisiest experience I’ve ever had. Something I’ll never forget. Thanks for linking up to #AllAboutFrance

    1. Oh wow – that sounds amazing Phoebe! I shall have to remember that when I eventually make it to Montenegro! It was interesting to see the Avignon festival…you should check it out sometime.

  14. I stumbled into the middle of the Festival too this year & was enchanted by the way it took hold of the city. I still find myself humming a tune being sung by one theatre grioup as they pushed a wheelchair around the streets advertising their version of the Molière play ‘Le Malade Imaginaire’ – nor can I get over the huge number of posters that were hung to every possible building, fence & lamp-post. Next year I think I’ll plan more of a visit rather than just turn up by chance!

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