Quick answer
The Avignon Festival takes place in July, but the official 2027 dates were not published when we looked: third-party listings guess at a start between 3 and 5 July and an end around 24 to 25 July, and say they are estimates. The Festival OFF has confirmed its return in 2027 for its 61st edition, dates to come. The IN (the official festival) and the OFF are separate organisations with their own programmes and ticketing. Avignon is about 45 minutes from Uzès, and July is hot: see the summer-heat guide.
Good for: choosing a base for a July week and knowing what to check before the dates are announced.
Not for: exact dates, shows or tickets: none were official when we looked, so use the festivals' own sites.
For the city itself see the Avignon guide; for Avignon against Arles, Arles or Avignon; for Avignon against Uzès as a base, Uzès or Avignon; for the other big July dates, the Rencontres d'Arles page, the Tour de France page and what's on; for the heat, the summer-heat guide.
| What | What we know | How sure |
|---|---|---|
| The IN (the official festival) | July 2027; no official dates yet. Listings guess at 3 to 5 July for the start and 24 to 25 July for the end. | Estimate, not official |
| The OFF | Confirmed to return in 2027, its 61st edition; dates to come. Separate from the IN. | Return confirmed, dates not |
| Programme and tickets | Not available yet. Each of the two has its own programme and ticketing. | Not published |
| From Uzès | About 45 minutes by car; La Valette is 5 minutes from Uzès. We found no information on shuttles, parking or late-night transport. | Our guide, by a route planner |
Before the dates
What to check, in order
First the dates, on the official site of the IN and of the OFF; then the programme and the tickets of each, which are sold separately; then the roads and the heat for the week you choose. The Tour de France passes Alès and the Cirque de Navacelles on 16 and 17 July, and the Rencontres d'Arles open on 5 July, so the middle of July is crowded across the region.
A day
Afternoon in town, a late drive home
At 45 minutes each way, a day in Avignon with an evening show means a drive back after the show ends, which we cannot time because the programme is not out. Keep the middle of the day for shade and a museum (see the Avignon guide), check the show's end time before you book it, and drive back rested: the summer-heat guide has the advice on heat and the fire levels. If you would rather not drive at night, Uzès or Avignon compares staying in town.
Frequently asked
The Avignon Festival
In July, but the official dates were not published when we looked; listings estimate roughly 3 to 24 July. Check the festival's own site.
They are separate organisations with their own programmes and ticketing: the IN is the official festival, the OFF the open programme of companies. Their dates often overlap, but each publishes its own.
About 45 minutes by car, by a route planner in our Avignon guide; La Valette is 5 minutes from Uzès.
We found nothing on shuttles or late-night transport, so we cannot say. Plan to drive, and check the festival's and the tourist office's information once they are published.
Planning a stay?
A base five minutes from Uzès
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