I’d seen this banner (and fun sculptures) about the Festival d’Avignon “Off” and wondered what that was all about. Was that the yearly Festival d’Avignon? It says it starts on July 7th, which is today, but I’d read that the official festival began on the 6th. Actually the “Off” festival piggybacks on the famous official “In” Festival d’Avignon, which started yesterday. “Off” basically refers to something akin to “Off Broadway” open to smaller theater, music and opera companies. The official, main theater festival remains host to the world’s leading companies and directors.

Avignon is a beautiful city and worth a trip even if you’re not planning to go to the festival. I’d never thought about visiting because I had a friend who lived there for a year and she was adamant about warning people about Avignon and saying it was not worth visiting. I shouldn’t have believed her and today after having visited, now know that she was lying or crazy or both.

The theater festival of Avignon which began in 1947 is the oldest and most well-known in France. The main festival goes on until July 27, while the Off Festival ends on July 30.

For more information visit: Festival Off and Official Avignon Festival Site