The Avignon Grand Hotel sits on Boulevard Saint-Roch, in the western quarter of the city, about a fourteen-minute walk from the Palais des Papes. It is a purpose-built, upscale hotel in a single three-storey building dating from around the year 2000, so it offers something the historic mansions in the centre rarely can: 124 rooms, lifts, generous public spaces and a garden with a terrace. The outdoor pool is seasonal and is open from April to October, which makes the hotel a welcome refuge on a hot afternoon in summer, and a library and lounge bar give quieter indoor corners. The covered, secured car park is a real advantage for anyone arriving by car, since driving into the heart of the old town is slow and parking is scarce. Breakfast is served as a buffet each morning. There is no full restaurant on site, only a bar and a snack counter, so plan to eat dinner in the old town or nearby, which is easy given how many places lie within a short walk. It is a four-star property by the French rating system, comfortable and calm rather than characterful, and it suits travellers who value convenience over period charm.
Location and getting around
The hotel stands beyond the central pedestrian streets, in a district of boulevards and residential streets near the ramparts. The walk to the palace and the Place de l'Horloge takes around a quarter of an hour, along lanes that fill with cafes as you approach the centre.
The location is practical if you plan day trips by car, because you avoid the narrow one-way streets of the old town and can reach the ring road quickly. Travellers arriving by train can reach it by taxi or on foot from the central station.
Rooms and facilities
With 124 rooms, availability is usually better than in the small historic hotels, even in busy weeks, though the Avignon Festival in July is the exception and you should book early. The hotel has a bar and lounge, a snack counter, a garden, a terrace and a library, and its seasonal pool is open in the warmer months.
Parking is covered and secure, with a nightly fee and a height restriction, so check the clearance if you are driving a tall vehicle. Breakfast carries an extra charge. The page does not mention air conditioning, so if you are visiting in July or August and sensitive to heat, ask before you book.
Who it suits
Families, couples who want a pool, and travellers with a hire car will appreciate the space, the garden and the parking. If your priority is waking up beside the papal palace, choose a hotel in the palace quarter such as La Mirande or the Mercure. If you want a family-run guesthouse, the Hôtel Boquier is the budget option. For an easy base with a pool, parking and a short stroll into the old town, the Grand Hotel is a sensible choice, and its rates are often kinder than those in the centre.
Why stay here
- ✓124 rooms in a modern building
- ✓Seasonal outdoor pool
- ✓Covered secured parking
- ✓Garden and terrace
- ✓Bar and lounge
- ✓Snack counter
- ✓Library
- ✓Buffet breakfast
Good questions
Does the Avignon Grand Hotel have a pool?+
Yes, it has an outdoor pool that is open seasonally, from April to October. Check the pool hours when you book.
How far is it from the Palais des Papes?+
About a fourteen-minute walk, so the main sights are within easy reach on foot.
Is there parking and a restaurant?+
There is covered, secure parking for a nightly fee. The hotel has a bar and a snack counter but no full restaurant, so plan dinner in the old town.
