Avignon, France — City Information
City Facts
- Location
- Department of the Vaucluse, Provence region, southern France.
- Time Zone
- GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
- Electricity
- 220 volts AC, 50Hz; two-pin plugs are standard.
- Average January Temperatures
- 6°C (43°F).
- Average July Temperatures
- 25°C (77°F).
- Average Annual Rainfall
- 700mm (27.6 inches).
- Language
- Avignonnais speak French in the sing-song tones of the Midi. Many of the older generation speak Provençal, the Romance language of southern France, closely related to Latin. Even those who do not, pepper their speech with Provençalisms. In spite of the French government’s refusal to support regional languages, associations are springing up in Avignon and around to educate Avignonnais in their linguistic heritage. Avignon-born singer Guy Bonnet sings in Provençal, and popular media personality Jean-Pierre Belmon ensures that the local radio station France Vaucluse Avignon and regional television station Provençale France 3 Méditerrané produce regular programmes in Provençal. The publication Lou Flouregian has a small readership but a greater history – born of the Felibrige movement founded by Frédéric Mistral and Avignon-born Théodore Aubanel, who fought to save the Provençal heritage (see Literary Notes section). Events featuring the Provençal language and culture will take pride of place in the year 2000 celebrations. Phrases Yes - Oui No - NonHello - Bonjour Goodbye - Au revoir Please - S’il vous plaît Thank you - Merci My name is … - Je m’appelle … How are you? - Comment ça va? I’m very well - Ça va bienI feel ill - Je ne me sens pas bien How much does it cost? - Combien est-ce que ça coûte? Do you speak - Est-ce que vous English? - parlez anglais? I don’t understand - Je ne comprends pas Where is …? - Où est …? Entrance - Entrée Exit - Sortie Danger - Danger Open - Ouvert Closed - Fermé Toilets - Toilettes Doctor - Médecin Hotel - Hôtel Restaurant - Restaurant Beer - Bière Wine - Vin Menu - Menu Today - Aujourd’hui Tomorrow - Demain Monday - Lundi Tuesday - Mardi Wednesday - MercrediThursday - Jeudi Friday - VendrediSaturday - SamediSunday - Dimanche One - Un / Une Two - DeuxThree - TroisFour - Quatre Five - CinqSix - Six Seven - Sept Eight - Huit Nine - Neuf Ten - Dix Twenty - Vingt Thirty - Trente Forty - Quarante Fifty - Cinquante Sixty - Soixante Seventy - Soixante-dix Eighty - Quatre-vingt Ninety - Quatre-vingt dixOne Hundred - CentOne Thousand - Mille
Cost of Living
| 1.00 GBP = 1.13 EUR |
| 1.00 USD = 0.7 EUR |
| Currency conversion rates as of 19 July 2011 |
Special Events
Cheval Passion
January
Horse show.
Avignon Exhibition Park
Website: www.cheval-passion.com
Les Hivernales d'Avignon
February-March
Festival of contemporary dance.
City center
Website: www.hivernales-avignon.com
Fête de la Musique
June
Music festival with free concerts.
Throughout the city
Website: www.fetedelamusique.culture.fr
Avignon Film Festival
June
Independent French-American cinema festival.
Cinema Vox, place de l'Horloge
Website: www.avignonfilmfest.com
Festival d'Avignon
July
Three-week dance, music and theater festival.
Various venues
Website: www.festival-avignon.com
Festival Off
July
Three-week arts fringe festival.
Various venues
Website: www.avignonleoff.com
Tremplin Jazz
July-August
Cloître des Carmes and Palais des Papes courtyard
Website: www.trempjazz.com
Avignon Blues Festival
August-September
Blues concerts in various venues.
Website: www.lavoixdublues.fr.st
Ban des Vendanges (Harvest Banns)
September
Wine and gastronomy celebration to observe the start of the harvest of the Côtes du Rhône, on the banks of the river.
Website: www.banvendanges.com
