Avignon, France, is a popular destination in the southeast known for its rich history and preserved city centre, although it's also renowned for its stunning natural scenery including vast areas of wide open space in the form of numerous parks and gardens, as well as the Rhône River which flows throughout the Provençal region.
As spring approaches, the temperatures start to rise in Avignon, although the nights can still be a rather chilly 5 degrees Celsius. The days are much more pleasant, with temperatures reaching up to 15 degrees, similar to the heats in Montpellier just 60 miles towards the coastline. Rainfall continues to increase steadily, with 48 mm considered average during March.
One of the busiest and most cultural sites in Avignon is the Palais des Papes, or the Pope's Palace. It's a fantastic gothic-style building overlooking the Rhône River that dates from the 14th Century and is four times as big as a standard cathedral. More than 20 rooms in this huge monument are open to the public, and an estimated 650,000 travellers have visited the site.
For a bite to eat in one of Avignon's trendiest eateries, stop by the Why Not Restaurant. There's a mix of neon lighting and simplistic modern furniture, coupled with set menus such as the 'Why', the 'Not' and the 'Why Not' which include dishes such as smoked salmon filled pancakes and chicken topped with an exotic fruit sauce. There's no set cuisine here, just a huge range of international dishes to suit all tastes.
For a bit of luxury, spend the night at the 4* Hotel de l'Horloge for just £65 per night. This 19th Century stone building, more reminiscent of a personal residence than a hotel, is situated in the heart of the tourism district, and guests have a choice of views, ranging from cityscape to rooms with private terraces overlooking the Palais des Papes.
