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WHAT IS THE FESTIVAL?

-      The Festival d'Avignon is...

Founded in 1947 by Jean Vilar, the Festival d'Avignon is one of the most important international events in the field of contemporary performing arts. Every year in July, the Festival turns the city into a theatre, welcoming tens of thousands of performing arts lovers from all ages and backgrounds. Among exceptional historical sites, including the Palais des papes, the Festival produces and puts on about sixty shows, as well as readings, exhibitions, films, and many debates.

The Festival d'Avignon isn't...

The OFF Festival: avignonleoff.com

A few numbers ?

3 weeks of Festival means 40 venues, 60 shows (over 200 curtain risers), and, counting debates, encounters, and screenings, over 400 events for a total of 155,000 admissions (both paid and free), for an average attendance level of 95%.

To organise the Festival, 33 permanent employees work throughout the year along with 750 temporary workers. Counting the artistic teams we welcome here, we create 1,700 jobs and almost 50,000 days' worth of work, not counting our permanent staff.

Throughout the year, 800 hours' worth of artistic events bring together 5,000 students, 140 classes, 77 schools, and 18 towns, and 1,700 people are able to visit the Festival.

Our budget is 13 million euros, 57% of which comes from public subsidies, and 43% from revenue (distribution, co-productions, sponsorship and partnerships, ticket sales).

The Festival is therefore both a driver of growth and an actor of redistribution.

The Festival is also known for the important presence of the professional sector, both French and foreign (12% of festivalgoers), 600 accredited journalists (with 520 interviews for print, audiovisual, and web media, 200 radio interviews and reports, 35 television crews, 112 film shoots, 44 photographers). Our website receives more than 4 million page hits a year, and over 1,000 pictures and 200 videos are added with every edition.

The programme of the Festival d'Avignon leads to a large number of tours. Following the 72nd edition, 36 shows in the programme performed more than 958 times in 26 different countries, for a total of 210 different cities, including 143 French and 67 foreign.

Working at the Festival d'Avignon

How is the programme created ?

The director of the Festival d'Avignon has a mandate to independently create a programme for each edition. Our teams scout artists and/or shows in France and abroad to then create this programme; there is no application process to perform at the Festival.

I am a professional of the performing arts, is there a service dedicated to me ?

The ticket office of the Festival d'Avignon has a service dedicated to professionals which is in charge of studying the many requests sent to professionnel@festival-avignon.com

I am a journalist, how do i get accreditation ?

The press office of the Festival d'Avignon studies accreditation requests sent to accreditation@festival-avignon.com

-      I am a teacher, or in charge of a group or association,
is there a service i can contact?

If you want to organise a group event (40 tickets minimum), you can send your request to groupe@festival-avignon.com, preferably before mid-May.

If you want to develop a project of artistic discovery and/or practice:projet@festival-avignon.com

 I am a tourism/hospitality/food industry professional,
how can i offer my service ?

The Festival d'Avignon relays no commercial offers on its website and social networks. If you want to offer accommodations to artistic teams, you can send an email to festival@festival-avignon.comaddressed to the logistics service.

I am looking for an internship or a seasonal job, what should i do ?

Job and internship offers are available on the website of the Festival d'Avignon (under the “Apply” tab) or on the Linkedin account of the Festival https://www.linkedin.com/company/festival-d'avignon/

Every year, on April 1st, the Festival d'Avignon makes available application forms for seasonal positions (reception agents, guards, cleaning agents, etc...). You can submit your application via this form within 3 weeks.



I Would like to work as a volunteer for the festival

The Festival d'Avignon doesn't employ volunteers.

 I'm doing research about the festival and would like to access its archives

The “Archives” section of the website includes the programme of every edition of the Festival d'Avignon since 1947.

You can also contact the BibliothèqueNationale de France, which has a branch at the Maison Jean Vilar in Avignon. It has collected and made available all the history of the Festival d'Avignon: www.bnf.fr

How can i support the festival?

The Festival d'Avignon is supported in its missions by sponsors (individuals, companies, foundations). To learn more, see the section “Becoming a sponsor of the Festival d'Avignon”.

I WANT TO SEE SHOWS AT THE FESTIVAL

Where can i find the programme?

The programme is:

-          available on our website after the press conference of the Festival (in late March),

-          available to download as a PDF on the main page of the website and in the “downloads” section (at the bottom of the site) in late April,

-          available at the Festival d'Avignon (cloître Saint-Louis), at the tourism office of Avignon, and with many of our partners, like the Fnac.

 

If you want to receive the programme, you need to update your information on the website before March, in the “My account” section.

In what language are the shows? are there surtitles?

Unless specifically mentioned, a show is either in French or without any text. Shows that aren't in French all have French surtitles.

Programmes in English are available at individual shows.

 How can i manage the shows i want to see based on duration and venue?

There is a calculator called “My programme” (in the upper right corner of the website) which takes into account the duration of the shows and travel time between venues. It shows you which shows are compatible within a single day.

Every show has its duration listed on its page.

Maps are available on the website, on the page dedicated to each venue, and in the “Coming to the Festival” section. They show car parks, bus and shuttle stops, travel time (on foot or by car), and entrances for wheelchair-bound festivalgoers.

I've decided on “my programme”: how can i buy tickets ?

You cannot by tickets on the “My programme” page.

You can book your tickets:

-          On the internet starting on 11 June at 10 a.m. on billetterie.festival-avignon.com

-          By phone (+33 4 90 14 14 14) starting on 11 June from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday, then starting on 4 July, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day

-          At the ticket office of the Festival d'Avignon (Cloître Saint-Louis, 20 rue du PortailBoquier, Avignon): starting on 11 June, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday, then starting on 4 July, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day

-          At the store of the Festival d'Avignon (Place de l'Horloge): starting on 3 July, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day

How to come to avignon?

Plane, train, bus, bike... Information about every means of transport is available on the website in the “Coming to the Festival” section, along with maps.

Where can i park my car ?

A detailed map of parking spots is available on the website in the “Coming to the Festival” section as well as on the website of the city of Avignon.

How to move around town ?

Walking and biking are the easiest and quickest ways to get around. Self-service bikes (vélopop') are available.

The city centre won't be accessible by car from noon to 2 a.m. Some car parks are connected to the city centre via shuttle. Buses also make the connection from some nearby towns. See the “Coming to the Festival” section of the website.

How to get to the festival's venues ?

Maps and itineraries are available on the website, on the page dedicated to each venue and in the “Coming to the Festival” section.

For a few venues located far from the Festival ((L'Autre Scène du Grand Avignon - Vedène or l'Opéra Confluence), shuttles are available by the ticket office.

For the itinerant show, and in order to make it easier for people from the towns visited to attend, we remind you that there is no shuttle service organised by the Festival for those performances. Acarpooling system ishoweveravailable: popcar.fr

I'm a person with reduced mobility,what should i do ?

Itineraries for people with reduced mobility are available on the website in the “Accessibility” section.

You can also find them on parking.handicap.fr / avignon.fr / avignon-tourisme.fr

You can contact us at accessibilite@festival-avignon.comso we can better welcome and accommodate you. If at all possible, try booking your tickets over the phone.

To move around the Grand Avignon as a person with reduced mobility, a shuttle is available at +33 800 456 456.

Can i come with children?

Yes. Part of the programme is aimed specifically at children. A young spectactor's guide is available to know more about the shows, screening, and workshops, and offers games and activities around the theme of the Festival.

Children need to have a ticket, and will not be permitted to sit on your lap.

Where to eat or sleep during the Festival d'avignon ?

The Festival d'Avignon relays no commercial offers on its website and social networks. Please contact the tourism office for more information: avignon-tourisme.com

Some of the venues offer food:  la Chartreuse-CNES de Villeneuve lez Avignon for 
£¥€$ of Ontroerend Goed, Macbeth Philosophe of Olivier Py and Enzo Verdet, La Nuit des odyssées of Sonia Wieder-Atherton la Chartreuse-CNES de Villeneuve lez Avignon pour les représentations de £¥€$ de Ontroerend Goed, Macbeth Philosophe de Olivier Py et Enzo Verdet, La Nuit des odyssées de Sonia Wieder-Atherton, and for Ateliers de la penséeon the site Louis Pasteur Supramuros -  Avignon Université. A refreshment area is open at La FabricA on days where shows are playing.

I want to book tickets

How to reach the ticket office ? how can i book tickets ?

-          On the internet starting on 11 Juneat 10 a.m.: festival-avignon.com

-          By phone (+33 4 90 14 14 14) starting on 11 June from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday, then starting on 4 July, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day

-          At the ticket office of the Festival d'Avignon (Cloître Saint-Louis, 20 rue du Portail Boquier, Avignon): starting on 11 June, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday, then starting on 4 July, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day

-          At the store of the Festival d'Avignon (Place de l'Horloge): starting on 3 July, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day

I also want to book tickets for the off festival, is that possible ?

It isn't possible. The Festival d'Avignon doesn't handle bookings for shows outside of its programme (OFF festival, permanent theatres, Villeneuve-en Scène...). You should contact those structures directly, as they are independent from the Festival d'Avignon.

What are the prices ?

All prices are available on the website in the “Bookings / Prices” section.

Am i eligible for a reduced rate ?

-          I'm under 26: yes, upon presentation of a valid ID. To be eligible for a reduced rate, you need to be under 26 at the time you book the tickets. You may also be asked to provide a valid ID at the venue itself, on the night of the show.

-          I'm a handicapped person: yes, upon presentation of a disability card and/or proof that you receive an allowance as an adult with disabilities. You may also be asked to provide the aforementioned document at the venue itself, on the night of the show.

-          I am currently unemployed: yes, upon presentation of a valid document proving that you are. You may also be asked to provide said document at the venue itself, on the night of the show.

-          I'm an RSA beneficiary: yes, upon presentation of a valid document proving that you are. You may also be asked to provide said document at the venue itself, on the night of the show.

-          I have a “senior card”: no, the Festival d'Avignon doesn't offer reduced rates for seniors.

-          I'm buying tickets for 5+ shows: if you buy tickets for 5 shows or more at full rate, you will receive the “Grand Spectateur” rate starting on the 5th show (the first 4 remain at full rate).

-          I'm with a group: if you order over 25 tickets at full rate (a single order for several people), the “Grand Spectateur” rate will be applied to those tickets. (Tickets are nominative, please include information for every member of the group.)

-          I am an association, a works concil, a school group, a community, and would wish to offer an experience of the Festival: you can write the group service (if buying at least 40 tickets) in April. You will receive a form to fill out and return by mid-May. The fulfillment of a request depends of availability. Please contact groupe@festival-avignon.com

Is there a reduced rate for children ?

Yes, children under 18 enjoy a reduced rate for all shows, and a 10€ rate for shows for young audiences.

How do passes work ?

Two pass systems are available at the Festival d'Avignon:

-          GRAND SPECTATEUR :

  • 5 SHOWS AND MORE: si vous réservez 5 spectacles et plus au tarif plein, vous bénéficiez du tarif Grand Spectateur pour le 5e spectacle et les suivants (les 4 premiers restent au tarif plein)
  • 25 SHOWS AND MORE (a single order for several people): the “Grand Spectateur” rate will be applied to the entirety of your order if you order 25 tickets at full rate or more (Tickets are nominative, please include information for every member of the group.)

-          4/40: 4 different shows for 40€ for people under 26. Tickets are nominative and subject to availability. More than one pass can be bought by the same person.

I'm a fnac member, am i eligible for a reduced rate ?

Yes, if you book your tickets directly at the Fnac (in a store, by phone, or on the fnac.com website) rather than at the Festival's ticket office.

Can i buy a ticket directly at a show's venue ?

Yes! Tickets can be bought at a show's venue, 45 minutes before the beginning of each performance, subject to availability. Passes and some reduced rates aren't available at the ticket offices of the venues. Don't hesitate, tickets are often available until the very last minute...

There aren't any tickets left, is there a waiting list ?

There is no waiting list at the Festival d'Avignon. You can go to a show's venue 45 minutes before a performance to try and buy tickets.

What payment methods do you accept ?

Cheque, debit card, cash, “chèquesvacances”.

Is payment secure ?

Yes. The SSL secured server insured the reliability of e-commerce by encrypting all personal data provided during payment (address, email, bank information, etc.). During online transfers, it is impossible to read or extract those data.

Where can i retrieve my tickets ?

-          If you chose to retrieve your tickets at the ticket office, you can do it until 3 hours before the show at the ticket office of the Cloître Saint-Louis, or until 1 hour before the show at the venue.

-          If you chose an electronic ticket: you can download it in the “My account” section of the website. For the ticket to be valid, you have to either print it legibly, or present it on your phone or tablet.

Can i exchange or have my tickets refunded ?

Tickets can't be exchanged or refunded, unless a show is cancelled or postponed. See our general terms and conditions in the “Bookings / Tickets” section of our website.

Can i sell my ticket to someone else ?

Selling a ticket for a price higher than its value is prohibited (law of 27 June 1919 and 12 March 2012). However, if you sell it for a price equal to or lower than its value, we can't do anything about it.

Can i buy a ticket from someone ?

-          If it's a thermal (physical) ticket with a stub, you don't run much risk:

  • If it's a full price ticket, no worries, enjoy the show!
  • If it's a ticket at a reduced rate that doesn't apply to you, come to the ticket office to pay the difference so you can enter the venue.

-          If it's an electronic ticket, be careful, it could be a photocopy or a non-valid ticket. You might not be able to enter the venue. We highly discourage buying electronic tickets.

Online Booking

Can i book tickets online ?

Starting on 11 June 2019 at 10 a.m., our online ticket office will be available by clicking on the “ticket office” button on our website's home page.

On our website, on the page of the show you're interested in, click on the “basket” button, select the date and rate you want; create or log in to your account and pay for your tickets.

I can't log into my account, what should i do ?

-          Reactivate your account by clicking on “Reset your password / I forgot my password”, then reset your password.

-          As a last resort, if you can't reactivate your account, you can contact us at resaweb@festival-avignon.com

There are no tickets left online, what can i do ?

We regularly put tickets on sale, and we encourage you to check on our website, come see us at the Cloître Saint-Louis, or directly at the show's venue (the ticket office there opens 45 minutes before the beginning of the show).

I didn't get or deleted my confirmation email

It's no big deal! You can start by checking whether you received a payment ticket from Paybox.

-          If yes, go to your account to find your order.

-          If not, contact us quickly at resaweb@festival-avignon.com

How can i be sure that my purchase went through ?

You can check whether you received a payment ticket from Paybox.

-          If yes, go to your account to find your order.

-          If not, contact us quickly at resaweb@festival-avignon.com

I can't Download and print my e-ticket

If you have reduced rate tickets, you have to upload all the relevant documents in the “My account” section.Once you have done that, we have to approve them and confirm so that you can download and print your tickets.

In spite of all that, i still can't download and print my e-ticket

Are you sure you picked an e-ticket? It should be in the confirmation email you received.

If not, we invite you to go to the ticket office at the cloître Saint-Louis with your order number and a valid ID.

Can i make a photocopy of my ticket and give it to someone else ?

If you make a copy of a ticket, only the first person to arrive will be able to enter, as the QR code printed on the ticket is unique.

Places

Which venues have numbered seats ?

In 2019, eleven venues have numberedseats: Cour d'honneur of the Palais des papes, La FabricA, Cour Minérale - Avignon Université, Cour du lycée Saint-Joseph, Cloître des Carmes, Théâtre Benoît-XII, L'Autre Scène du Grand Avignon - Vedène, Gymnase Aubanel, Gymnase Mistral, Gymnase du lycée Saint-Joseph, Opéra Confluence.

In all other venues, seats are not numbered.

How can i know where my seat will be ?

If you buy your tickets:

-          At the ticket office or by phone, you will be told where your seat is.

-          Online, you can see when buying the ticket where your seat will be.

-      how can i know if the tickets i bought are for seats next to each other?

If the venue doesn't have numbered seats, you are free to sit wherever you want.

If you buy your tickets at the ticket office or by phone, ticket office clerks will take your criteria into account as much as possible.

If you buy your tickets online, they will be for seats next to each other by default, unless such seats are no longer available.

Seats are numbered thus: every row is designated by a letter (A, B, C...), with row A being the closest to the stage. Every seat is designated by a number (even: 2, 4, 6, 8... and odd: 1, 3, 5, 7...)

My ticket says seats are not numbered at my venue, where should i sit ?

You can sit wherever you want, as long as the seat is free.

I might get to the venue at the very last minute: is my seat guaranteed ?

Seats cease to be numbered 5 minutes before the beginning of the performance.

You can then enter the venue:

-          Depending on availability if seats are no longer numbered,

-          At your assigned seat if they are.

Preparing for The Festival

When are the shows, and how long do they last ?

You will find the time and duration of a show on our website, on the show's page. If it says “estimated running time”, it means that the show is currently in production, and that the duration is therefore an estimation and can still change. Changes and final running times will be indicated at the venue, before entering, as well as on our website.

When should i arrive for a show ?

Arriving 30 minutes before the beginning of a show will allow you to go through bag and ticker checks without having to rush, and you will have time to find your seat or to pick one if the seats aren't numbered. For the Courd'honneur of the Palais des papes, the Cour du lycée Saint-Joseph, and the Opéra Confluence, we advise you to come 45 minutes before the beginning of the show.

 I'm late, can i still see the performance ?

Whether to let in latecomers or not is up to a show's artistic team. If the entrance to the venue is through the stage or in front of it, no latecomer will be let in once the show has begun.

What can i do if a show was cancelled ?

If a show is cancelled long before the performance, we will contact you (by email and/or text) and let you know if the show is postponed or how to get reimbursed. This is why it is important to provide us with a valid email address or phone number.

If you bought your tickets at the Fnac: we invite you to contact them by email or to go to the Fnac ticket office.

It's raining, what should i do ?

Rain is only a problem for shows playing outside. If we determine that the show cannot be performed, you will receive an email and/or text letting you know if the show is postponed or how to get reimbursed.

 Is food available at the show's venue ?

Food is available at some of the venues, a list of which is available in the programme and on our website.

Are the venues air-conditioned ?

The following venues are air-conditioned: gymnase du lycée Mistral, gymnase du lycée Aubanel, gymnase du lycée Saint-Joseph, La FabricA, Opéra Confluence, Théâtre Benoît-XII, chapelle des Pénitents blancs, L'Autre Scène du Grand Avignon – Vedène, la Chartreuse-CNES de Villeneuve lez Avignon, le salon de la Mouette de la Maison Jean Vilar.

Is it cold out at night ?

It can be cold out at night. Remember to take some warm clothes, especially if the mistral is blowing.

Is there a dress code?

There is no dress code. However, be careful of the mistral (it can be cold out)!

Is there a cloakroom or lockers ?

We cannot provide a cloakroom or lockers. Please plan accordingly, and do not come to the venues with large bags and certain items (see below).

What items can't i bring ?

As part of the plan Vigipirate, the following items are prohibited within the venues:

-       large bags,

-       travelbackpacks,

-       suitcases,

-       helmets,

-       firearms,

-       bladedweapons (evenfake),

-       sharp-edged items: knives, scissors,

-       glass or plastic bottles,

-       opaque containers: thermos, cans, etc.,

-       aerosol cans or compressed-gas cylinders,

-       toxic chemicals,

-       flammable liquids,

-       fireworks (bangers, flares, etc.)

Only spray bottles and clear half-liter water bottles are allowed

Can i come with my pet?

No animal will be let in, except for guide dogs.

Can i take pictures or record videos ?

It is forbidden to take pictures or record any part of the show. A message will remind you of it before every show. However, during curtain calls (and only then), you can take pictures or record videos.

 

Bookshops / Souvenirs

Are there souvenirs of the festival ?

Yes, a shop is open throughout the Festival, and year-round on our website. For each edition, you'll find different models of t-shirts, bags, posters, as well as a number of stationery items (notebooks, pens, bookmarks), clothes and accessories (fans, hats, sandals), interior decoration (tableware, trays, wine glasses), and the Festival's official vintage (vins de Vacqueyras).

How can i buy those souvenirs ?

At the Festival's store, on the place de l'Horloge (open from 3 to 24 July, from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.) or on our website (festival-avignon.com/boutique)

Where is the festival's store ? the bookstore ?

The Festival's store is located on the place de l'Horloge, in front of the Hôtel de ville.

The Bookstore is located inside the Maison Jean Vilar (rue de Mons, near the place de l'Horloge). It is open every day of the Festival, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Are dvds of the shows available ?

Some shows have been recorded and are available on DVD, and can be bought at the bookstore and at the Festival's store.

My Information

How can i create/modify my account ?

By clicking on “My account”, il the upper right corner of the website.

How can i change my address ?

You can do it directly on your account, or by sending us an email at festival@festival-avignon.com

How does the festival use my information ?

We do not communicate your information to any third party.

Staying Informed

How can i receive updates about the festival ?

We send out a newsletter once a month by email throughout the year. To sign up for our newsletter, click on the envelop icon on the right hand side of the website, or write us at public@festival-avignon.com

You can also choose which publications you want to receive, by post or by email, in your account settings.

If you use Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, those networks are a great way to follow everything pertaining to the Festival.

Does the festival d'avignon have a presence on social networking sites ?

Yes. The Festival d'Avignon is present on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin.

Are videos of the shows available ?

Some of the shows are filmed and broadcast in their entirety on the web-TV of the Festival: festival-avignon.tv, in the “Direct / replay” section.

A few days after the first performance, you'll find a 3-minute clip presenting the show on the we-TV of the Festival: festival-avignon.tv, in the “Extraits” section, and on the show's page.

Are videos of the encounters and debates available ?

Yes, all the encounters and debates of the Workshops of Thought are filmed and available on the web-TV of the Festival: festival-avignon.tv, in the “Workshops of Thought” section, and on the page dedicated to each encounter.

Is there a lost property office ?

We recommand you go directly to the venue where you lost something to ask the staff there.

After the Festival, you can contact the Festival's standard (+33 4 90 27 66 50), or come see us at the Cloître Saint-Louis. Wemight have whatyoulost!