An English-style garden perched above the Cité des Papes.

Overlooking the Rhône, this imposing rocky dome marks the origin of Avignon. This site, a refuge from river floods and invaders, offered an ideal strategic position to control trade along this crucial waterway.

In the 16th century, a castle stood here, but a fire reduced it to ashes, giving way to mills, which themselves were dismantled in the 19th century. The Rocher des Doms was then perforated with galleries, housing a water reservoir that still supplies the city. A vast public garden was created at its summit, offering enchanting green spaces adorned with statues, basins, fountains, and walking paths. The Venus with Swallows, a sculpture by Félix Charpentier, presides over the main basin where ducks and swans lounge. Deemed too bold for the city streets, it found here a setting worthy of its beauty.

The Rocher des Doms is a haven of peace, cherished by both locals and tourists. From its heights, a panoramic view unfolds: the Saint-Bénézet Bridge, the Rhône embracing the Île de la Barthelasse, Villeneuve-les-Avignon and its Fort Saint André, and in the distance, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Mont Ventoux. At its feet, the Romanesque Notre-Dame-des-Doms Cathedral and the Palais des Papes stand watch majestically.

Several paths lead to the summit garden. The widest and most frequented starts from the Place du Palais des Papes and the Notre-Dame-des-Doms Cathedral, while the most picturesque follows the ramparts from the Tour de la Porte du Rocher, near the Saint-Bénézet Bridge.

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A walk on the Rocher des Doms is a must during your stay in Avignon, offering delight for both young and old alike.