Activities in Avignon

Avignon’s cultural scene hits the headlines each July, with the Avignon Festival, created by Jean Vilar in 1947. It is the oldest and most famous of the festivals in France. Originally pure theater, the event now includes contemporary and religious music, dance, poetry, circus, films, exhibitions and debates involving up to 600 separate organizations.

The most prestigious productions are performed in the vast Palais des Papes courtyard, others within theaters, churches and sports halls. The Chartreuse, at Villeneuve-les-Avignon, showcases the contemporary theater of the Avignon Festival, as well as a separate musical theater festival, Villeneuve en Scene. The program for 2003 included a performance of Romeo and Juliet in the cour du lycee Saint-Joseph, ‘equestrian theater’ in the parc des Expositions-Chateaublanc, as well as author readings in the cours du Musee Calvet.

The Bureau du Festival d’Avignon (and box office) is located at the Espace Saint-Louis, 20 rue du Portail Boquier . Alongside the official festival (locally known as the ‘In’), the ‘Off’ fringe festival enlivens city streets and courtyards with a carnival atmosphere. The ‘In’ program is available on the website from March, or from the Bureau du Festival d’Avignon or the Avignon Tourist Office (see Sightseeing) as of the second week in May. Tickets (priced at €10-40) are available by telephone or on the website, from June onwards. The ‘Off’ program is published in mid-June (when booking commences) by Paris-based Avignon Public Off . During the festival, the headquarters are within the Conservatoire de Musique, 9 Place du Palais des Papes .

Tickets to all other performances and cultural events in the city are available for purchase from the individual venue box offices, in advance or on the day. The tourist office publishes a monthly calendar of events (French only) in Rendez-Vouz.

Music: The gracious Opera d’Avignon , built in 1847, overlooks place de l’Horloge. The season runs from October to June and includes operas, operettas and symphonic and chamber music concerts, as well as theater and ballet. The Musique Sacree en Avignon, 49 rue Portail Magnanen, organizes free concerts in churches (October to May).

Theater: Avignon has about 10 permanent theaters, as well as the opera house (see above). The Theatre du Chene Noir, 8 rue Ste-Catherine ), draws well-known actors and directors, while the Theatre du Chien qui Fume, 75 rue des Teinturiers , puts on a varied program of theater, music and improvization evenings. The Theatre des Halles, 4 rue Noël Biret, excels in contemporary theater, while cutting-edge Theatre des Carmes, 6 place des Carmes , is run by the Andre Benedetto company - one of the founders of the Festival ‘Off’. Theater tickets tend to be cheaper than the Festival ‘On’ and the season runs from October to May.

Dance: Dance has its own moment of glory in February, when Les Hivernales contemporary dance festival takes place at La Manutention, 4 rue escalier Ste Anne . The Theatre de la Danse, 1 rue Ste Catherine offers courses and performances year round.

Film: Avignon has about 20 cinemas. Cinema Utopia, at La Manutention arts center, 4 rue escalier Ste Anne , shows undubbed arthouse films. Utopia has another cinema located at 5 rue Figuiere, north of place St Didier, where dubbed films creep into the screenings. Utopia also produces La Gazette Utopia, a free monthly listings magazine. Cinema Vox, 22 place de l’Horloge , offers mainstream films, with the odd arthouse film - some in the original language. One of Avignon’s largest cinemas is the 10-screen Pathe Cap Sud, 175 rue Pierre Semard, route de Marseille .

Cultural Events: Without doubt, Avignon’s key cultural event is the Avignon Festival in July (see above). However, another cultural highlight is the Avignon Film Festival, which takes place every June and is a showcase for independent filmmakers from America, France and Europe.

Literary Notes: Petrarch (1304-1374) brought the theme of idealised love to Avignon, where he first set enchanted eyes on Laure, in 1327. This earthly incarnation of perfection inspired the Canzoniere - over 300 poems, mainly sonnets, on the subject of platonic love. Not withstanding the fated meeting, Petrarch detested Avignon, which he famously described as ‘a sewer where all the filth of the universe has gathered.’

Frederic Mistral (born in 1830, between Arles and Avignon) drew on the troubadour tradition with his love poetry, Mireille (1859), about star-crossed lovers. Written in both Provençal and French, the tragic tale won Mistral a Nobel Prize and revived the dying Provençal language. Together with Avignon-born Theodore Aubanel, he founded the Felibrige movement and helped revive Provençal tradition. Avignon-born writer Pierre Boulle (1912-1994) won international renown with Planet of the Apes (1963) and Bridge Across the River Kwai (1952), both later made into films. English-language writers have painted a mythical picture of Provence as a sun-drenched idyll - most famously in Peter Mayle’s bestselling A Year in Provence (1989).

Sport:

For football fans, Avignon’s glory days are gone. Twenty years ago, Olympique Avignonnais used to hit first and second league status but no longer. However, this does not stop enthusiastic fans attending local matches at the city’s largest stadium, Le Parc des Sports, avenue Pierre de Courbertin . Rugby is also popular and is played at the Baizet Stadium, route de Tarascon. Tickets are available for purchase at the grounds.

One of the most popular sporting activities in Avignon is roller skating, with skating within the city ramparts taking place every last Friday of the month -departing 0830 from the main post office, cours Kennedy. Participation is free and the skate lasts around two hours. Key sporting events include the Avignon Roll’air roller skating festival in May/June and theTriathlon in June.

The Service des Sports, 74 boulevard Jules Ferry can provide information on swimming pools and sports facilties in the city.

Fitness Centers: Saint Didier Fitness Club, place Saint Didier (tel: (04) 9066 1708), is located in the heart of Avignon.

Golf: Membership is not required at Pradier Golf Grand Avignon, Les Chenes Verts, Vedene . Daily green fees are charged at €38 weekdays and €46 weekends. Visiting golfers can also play at Golf de Chateaublanc, rue de Chateaublanc, Morieres , at similar rates.

Squash: Avignon Squash Racket, 32 boulevard Limbert , charges €6.50 for 40 minutes of play or €54 for 11 40-minute games. Racket and ball hire costs €2.50.

Swimming: The municipal pool is situated on route de Marseille and is open during the summer only. There is also an Olympic pool at Iles de la Barthelasse. The tourist office provides a complete list of the city’s swimming pools.

Tennis: Tennis Club d’Avignon, chemin des Freres Reboul, Villeneuve-les-Avignon, hires out its six outdoor and three indoor courts to non-members, for €8 per person per hour.