The story
Festival d'Avignon in Avignon
Festival d'Avignon began in 1947 when Jean Vilar staged theatre in the Palais des Papes' Cour d'Honneur, aiming to bring serious contemporary theatre beyond Paris. Running roughly three weeks each July, the curated In festival spreads productions across historic Avignon venues, distinct from the much larger independent Festival Off Avignon happening in parallel; its flagship Cour d'Honneur shows require advance ticket planning given limited capacity and high demand.
Festival d'Avignon began in 1947 when theatre director Jean Vilar staged three plays in the honor courtyard of the Palais des Papes, the vast medieval papal palace at the heart of Avignon, choosing the courtyard specifically to bring serious contemporary theatre to a wide public audience outside Paris rather than confining it to the capital's established venues.