The main shopping street
is rue de la République, which is home to
Monoprix department store, FNAC
and others. Chic boutiques line rue Joseph-Vernet,
which runs east off rue de la République, opposite the main
tourist office. Rue St Agricol is lined with various
little boutiques, including designer outlets Christian Lacroix
Boutique, 10 rue St Agricol, and Donna,
35 rue St Agricol. The pedestrianised area rue des Fourbisseurs,
rue des Marchands, rue du Vieux Sextier and rue
de la Bonneterie allows for a leisurely, traffic-free shopping
experience.
Avignon is an ideal town for buying gifts. Provençal specialities
include olive oil, lavender, brightly printed fabrics, sugared fruits,
chocolate and fig or melon jam. Lovers of the mustard yellow and
olive green of Provençal pottery will be spoilt for choice
at Terre et Art, 29 rue des Fourbisseurs, or Terre
et Provence, 26 rue de la République.
A good selection of regional wines can be found at La Cave
du Bouffart, 14 rue des Fourbisseurs, and Le Coin
Gourmand, Les Halles d’Avignon, place Pie. The latter
also boasts a range of gastronomic specialities. For a souvenir
in silver or gold, shoppers should head for Vincent Joaillier,
12 place du Change, a jewellery design shop founded in 1897.
In addition to the Tuesday to Sunday morning covered market at Les
Halles, south of place Pie, there are colourful outdoor
markets at the Rempart St Michel, a food market on Saturday and
Sunday and place des Carmes with a flower market on Saturday and
flea market on Sunday.
Opening Hours
Department stores are open Monday to Saturday 0900-1900
hrs, while smaller shops close 1200-1400 hrs and Monday morning.
Sales tax varies between 5.5 per cent (food) to 20 per cent (luxury
goods). Visitors from outside the European Union can claim a tax
refund upon departure for each purchase over €175. Global
Refund (telephone number: (01) 4161 5151, fax number: (01) 4834
6020, e-mail: taxfree@fr.globalrefund.com)
can provide further information. |
