Avignon, France, is a large city ideally situated on the picturesque banks of the Rhône River. This region of southeastern France, known as Provence, is a world leader in culinary excellence and many visitors travel here solely for a taste of the native cuisine. Ranging from small, continental style cafes to fine dining establishments, visitors won't go hungry here.
July is the true start of the summer in Avignon with highs of 31 degrees Celsius which last through until the end of August. Evening temperatures are a pleasant 16 degrees on average, so certainly no need for big coats or jackets. With the high heats comes the drier months, and precipitation levels drop to one of the lowest of the year; around 33 mm.
The Festival d'Avignon comes to the city in July, with live music, poetry readings and short plays acted out to the audiences. The festival began in 1947 and has been hosted by many of the city's most prestigious buildings including the Palais des Papes, the Opera Theatre and Musee Calvet. Each year brings around 40 new shows viewed by an estimated 150,000 lovers of the arts.
To enjoy the warm summer heats, grab a seat outside Mamma Corsica and watch the world go by from the patio as you dine on traditional delicacies all the way from Corsica. There's also a good choice of wines and spirits. However, the best thing about this streetside cafe is the attached grocery shop, offering a selection of meats, cheeses, jams and liqueurs native to Corsica. Great for gifts, or just as a treat.
Avignon's Hotel Mignon is a small yet luxurious property that offers 16 rooms from £46 per night. The owners have a keen eye for design, and the rooms are designed to make the most of the space available so the environment is spacious without losing out on essential amenities such as the en suite bathroom. There's air conditioning throughout, so it's great for the warm summer months.
