Beautiful Avignon is a stunning medieval city in the south-east of France, on the left bank of the Rhône river, that has a UNESCO-awarded ancient walled city centre. It is a magical and utterly picturesque place and the ideal spot to escape to for a relaxing getaway. Just browse our vacation rentals in Avignon and go get lost in its timeless grandeur and pretty charm and enjoy a taste of the relaxed and slow-paced Provençal lifestyle. While you’re in the city, be sure to visit her crowning glory, the Rocher des Doms, or Jardin des Doms, a lovely public garden that is perched high above and affords incredible views over Avignon and the surrounding area.
The Rocher des Doms is the name of the rocky outcrop at the centre of the city upon which the Jardin des Doms, a beautiful English-style public garden, is located. This natural high point was, for a long time, a place for protecting the city and surveying the surrounding area. Human presence in and around it can be traced back to at least the Neolithic Period, though it remained largely untouched and undeveloped for most of this time. That is until the 18th century, when it became an attraction in its own right and not merely a strategic point. The quality of the air on the outcrop and those same sweeping views that had long since afforded the area protection, made the Rocher des Doms a popular spot for strolls and, in the 19th century, it was decided to make the most of the beloved site and to turn it into a public park.
Major works were undertaken to make the area into a public park with trees and grasses planted from the former Jardin des Plantes, ponds being built, and statues of famous figures such as Jean Althen and Félix Gras and other sculptures such as the Venus aux Hirondelles (Venus With Swans) being erected. That lovely work by Félix Charpentier, the Venus With Swans, was actually also a transplant from another location, having been moved from Place Carnot and placed at the centre of a pond in 1894 after its nudity had caused some complaints from residents.
In 1960, after little change to the gardens for around a century, new water reservoirs were built, with the tops being turned into terraces that allow visitors to the gardens today to really make the most of those famous views over the city, the Rhone, and sweeping over the surrounding countryside all the way to Mont Ventoux that had originally prompted its creation.
To get to the gardens, head to the square at the Palais des Papes (Pope’s Palace) and walk the flower-lined path up to the garden, or go up L'escalier Sainte-Anne (St Anne’s Stairs) behind the palace, the steps by the Cathedral Notre Dame des Doms, the steps from the banks of the Rhône, the Watchman’s Walk along the ramparts from the Pont d'Avignon (Avignon Bridge), or take the tourist train that stops at the entrance.
Once you get there you can enjoy the blooms of spring, the lush shade in summer, the multi-coloured leaves in autumn, and the wonderful views year round. Bring a good book and find a nice spot to read, enjoy a snack, ice-cream, or wine from the little bar, have a picnic, feed the swans and ducks, admire the peacocks wandering around, let any kids in the group play in the playground and have a go on the carousel, just stroll and relax, and head to the terraces to take in those famous views.
When you’re done enjoying these lovely pleasure gardens, head back to the foot of the Rocher, by the Rhône, where you can get a free ferry to cross the river to the Île de la Barthelasse, another spot for strolling that is loved by the people of Avignon. If you’re looking to unwind and relax, this lovely city in France is truly built for just that!
Jardin des Doms
Place du Palais
84000 Avignon
Opening Hours:
Year round, daily
Inner wall gardens are open from 7.30am
Outer wall gardens are open from 8am
Closing Times:
January – March & October – December, 6pm
April – May & August – September, 8pm
June – July, 10pm
Entry fee: Free of charge.
Photo credit: Véronique PAGNIER / CC BY-SA 3.0