Provence · Backpacking

17 rue de la République, inside the walls and a few minutes' walk from the station: 65 beds in rooms of three to ten, with a bar, a snack bar and luggage storage, open year round. Check-in is 4pm to 10pm and there is no bike garage.

On the Île de la Barthelasse facing the Pont d'Avignon: 141 beds, mostly dorms of four to eight, alongside tent pitches, a bar and two restaurants. Cheapest sleep in Avignon, at the cost of crossing the river every time you go into town.

The regional buses and trains reach Carpentras, Cavaillon, Arles and Nîmes from Avignon and cover most of what you would otherwise drive to. The Carte ZOU! Malin costs €20 for a year and takes 30% off every fare; anyone aged 3 to 25 can buy the Pass ZOU! Études for €45–90 and travel unlimited for a year.

The permanent collection of medieval and early Renaissance painting costs nothing, Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays. It is the obvious wet-afternoon move on a day when the €16 papal palace ticket is not happening.

Admissions are cheap: Village des Bories €8 and free under 12, a guided walk at the Colorado Provençal €9 for adults and €4 for a child of 6 to 12, the Sentier des Ocres €3.50, the Petit Palais nothing. Parking at the Pont du Gard is €9 per vehicle however long you stay, and a hire car plus fuel will comfortably outspend every ticket you buy in a week.