Hi all. My wife will be in Avignon for about a week in October, with two of her friends. Any suggestions for great things to do and see, markets, places to eat? I realise that’s a pretty vague ask, but they’re all pretty flexible with wide / general rather than specific interests. Ideally at least one restaurant with lighter / modern food (though they also like rich traditional, probably just not every single day). They do not plan to drive a car, and like urban as well as scenic walking. Thanks :)!
Uzes has a really fun antique market on tuesday mornings, across from it there’s a bread shop with a line out the door with locals.
Restaurant L’Oustau de Baumanière just south of Avignon is one of the most unique restaurant settings I have ever been to, and as one of the dozens I’ve experienced, probably my favorite Michelin 3 starred spot. Undoubtedly a must-eat-here.
I know you said they aren’t renting a car. BUT….they are within a few minutes from a lot of really fun small towns and hiring a driver will be well worth it.
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It has been a few years, but we had a wonderful experience at La Table Haute, in the Hotel La Mirande in the heart of the old city. The main restaurant has a Michelin Star, but several nights a week they do a dinner in the old Servant’s Kitchen in the basement, led by one of the Assistant/Sous Chefs. A communal table for 12, with an opening tour of the wine cellar with tasting and apps. The chef and team are essentially cooking tableside for 12 guests, with wonderful interactions.
# La Table Haute, Guest Table restaurant
Avignon Provence
A guest table in the convivial atmosphere of the former servants’ quarters and ancient kitchen
Unique 3-course menu - €120 including drinks
The Chef’s Table welcomes you for dinner
From Tuesday to Saturday at 8pm
Downstairs, in the medieval part of La Mirande, a treasure of the hotel is hidden.
Here is the heart of La Mirande. In the old kitchen from the middle of the 19th century, on a venerable wood-fired cast iron range, surrounded by the instruments of great traditional cooking - copper pans, beautiful earthenware, old-fashioned kitchen scales and an enormous wooden table - The chef is cooking a set menu for an audience of up to 12 guests sharing 3 sides of the massive wooden table. In the convivial atmosphere, tongues loosen and such complicity may lead to lasting friendships.
Some evenings during the week from 8pm, The Chef and his team invite you to share his passion for cooking. A meal based on products from the market and from the farms around, is cooked in copper pots before your eyes.
The philosophy of La Table Haute is to reduce the distance between the farm and the plate… Flavours of Provence are to be savoured around the large guest table, a perfect harmony between food and wines of the Rhone Valley, in the greatest hospitality…
La Table Haute is not only a restaurant but also an exclusive place in a medieval setting taking you back in time. Every dinner is unique by its atmosphere and its special menu.
An experience not to be missed in Avignon.
A couple of photos from our visit:
Cheers,
Steve
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Thanks both! The Haute Table is booked, it looks great 
Is there decent Uber availability (or similar) in that part of France? How would one go about hiring a driver?
We had a rental car during our trip, and while in Avignon, were close enough to walk to La Mirande. Per Uber, they do have service in Avignon, with the option to book in advance. There is also an option to estimate cost, which is nice if you want to check on using Uber to travel to a nearby village/city.
Can’t speak to availability, but an anecdote from our trip to Annecy in eastern France in May: we were able to book an Uber for a 7 PM dinner reservation, but a car was not available when we tried to book a return to our apartment at 11 PM. The restaurant was able to book a taxi for us, but at about 3x the cost of the original Uber.
Cheers,
Steve
It’s been about 8 years since we were there, but we took a bus to the Pont du Gard one day, definitely worth it.
We had a great meal at Acte 2. Husband/wife team, very small restaurant, very good food. The wine list is on the eclectic side, not necessarily natural but super small producers that the couple knows personally. We drank well, but I didn’t know a single wine on the list…
Must have been 24 years ago (we went for our first anniversary) but we had a lovely meal here too.
As a side note, Avignon was the site of my greatest car gymnastics performance. I parallel parked my rental car into a spot that had about 1.5 inches to spare on each side. My wife was duly impressed.
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We also had a wonderful meal at Oustau de Baumaniere. Sitting outside on a warm late May evening, I still think about that apricot soufflé. We purchased one of their cookbooks and I routinely make some of the dishes. It’s a great place.
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Steve, thanks so much for this. My wife, her father and I will be in Avignon for some tasting in CdP and Gigondas. We’ve booked Le Table Haute. Really looking forward to it.
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Jason, it has now been five years, but I presume the experience has not changed significantly. We would certainly go back again based on our visit. Hope you and your family have a wonderful evening! 
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My wife and her friends enjoyed it tremendously about this time last year. Thanks again for the original recco, and Jason, you should have a great time
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