Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Avignon is a city in southeastern France, known for its historical significance and beautiful architecture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 92,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is about 50 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common banks are BNP Paribas, Société Générale, and online options like N26. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, Booking.com, and local real estate websites. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, card payments are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through platforms like Airbnb and HomeAway. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Avignon and Hotel Alizé are good budget options. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The historic center around Palais des Papes. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Around Les Halles and Boulevards for cafes and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Le 5, a modern coworking space with excellent amenities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | La Mignardise, known for its quiet atmosphere and good coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Monthly meetups organized through local expat groups on Facebook. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Avignon International Expat Community group hosts regular gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates in Avignon. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Vélopop offers bike rentals throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Plage de la Capte, about 1.5 hours away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Ryanair operates from nearby Nîmes and Marseille. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air France, easyJet serve Avignon. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access via A7 and A9 highways. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Gare d'Avignon-Centre is the main railway station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Single tickets and monthly passes available on the AVignon public transport website. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains to nearby cities like Nîmes, Marseille, and Arles. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | CHU d'Avignon, the main hospital with emergency services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Aum Yoga Avignon offers various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and Neoness provide good gym facilities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laverie Avignon for convenient self-service laundry. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Deliveroo operate in Avignon. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Ratatouille, a classic Provencal dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Marche sur l'eau offers great plant-based meals. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Pâtisserie L'Atelier des Cœurs for pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Marché Les Halles for fresh produce and local goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon France and Fnac for electronics. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Carrefour delivers groceries through their app. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Rue des Teinturiers is popular for nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brewery La Boussole offers local crafted beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Le Bistrot de Lagarde for extensive local wine selection. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Les Halles has various food stalls. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Bistro Le Lyonnais serves excellent French cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Palais des Papes, one of the largest Gothic buildings in the world. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Musée du Petit Palais houses a rich collection of Italian paintings. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Pont Saint-Bénézet, known as the famous broken bridge. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Notre-Dame des Doms is a stunning cathedral in the heart of the city. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Festival d'Avignon, a renowned arts festival held every July. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Old Town is rich with historical districts and artsy shops. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Théâtre des Halles hosts various performances consistently. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Avignon market at Place Pie offers local crafts and foods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Avignon has a lively jazz scene with many local bars hosting live music. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Spot urban art along Rue des Teinturiers. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Le Palais des Papes offers classes focusing on local ingredients. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie Souterraine showcases contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The city walls of Avignon offer a historic insight into its past. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Avignon's rich papal history is a significant part of its heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Parc des Calanques offers stunning coastal hikes. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Luberon National Park, approximately 40 minutes from Avignon. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Véloroute du Calavon for scenic cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Point de vue de la Croix for breathtaking views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Camargue National Park is known for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas in Parc des Calanques allow bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Chronopost and La Poste offer reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Avignon Tech has good reviews for device repair. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers often have ping pong tables available. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Alliance Française offers French language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Médiathèque Ceccano is a great place to study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centre Social La Barthelasse hosts various community activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game Over offers a place for video gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino d'Avignon offers gaming and entertainment options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €128,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €100,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €180,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €138,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €224,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €160,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on their worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% |
| 🧾 VAT | 20% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, France has strict CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on the property's assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 5.8% standard rate. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No special exemptions for digital nomads but EU residents benefit from EU regulations. |