Little Palace Museum (Musée du Petit Palais)

The basics

Immerse yourself in the works of Renaissance masters including Botticelli and Vittore Carpaccio at the Little Palace Museum. You’ll also find a great collection of sculpted capitals from the churches of Avignon, and religious artworks including altar screens. Botticelli's Madonna with Child is the highlight of the collection.

The palace itself was built in the 14th century, when Avignon was the center of the Catholic Church and home to the Pope. To see all of Avignon’s key sites in a day, consider joining a guided tour.

Things to know before you go

• Entry to the museum is free.
• Wheelchair access might be difficult, as there are steps inside the museum.
• There’s a pleasant café in the palace courtyard.

How to get there

The Little Palace Museum is in the center of Avignon’s old town, walking distance from the Palais des Papes and the Pont d’Avignon. The town’s Petit Train tourist bus circles the main sights several times a day and makes it easy to get around. Avignon has a high-speed train station with connections to Paris, Geneva, and beyond.

When to get there

The museum is open every day except for Tuesday, year-round. It’s also closed on December 25, January 1, and May 1. The museum closes every day for lunch for an hour.

Visit the hilltop village of Les Baux

Built on top of a huge rock with an equally huge ruined castle, the village of Les Baux de Provence never fails to impress first-time visitors. Walk through the winding streets of the ancient Upper Town, then immerse yourself in the ethereal beauty of the art installations at the Carrières des Lumières gallery.