The Palais des Papes is one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe and was the site of Western Christianity during the 14th century, hosting six papal conclaves between 1334 and 1394. We follow the path down from the gardens and enter the palace.
Cathédrale and Palais
View as we descend from the park
Front of Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms d'Avignon
We enter the Palais and follow the self-guided tour through the rooms showing the history of the buildings and the popes.
Different versions of the palace (as each popes adds his own view)
We wander through the rooms and chambers of the palace.
Rooms of the palace
Outside, we find the gardens, carefullly maintained.
Palace gardens
Returning inside, we continue to follow the path through the rooms of the palace, finally reaching the chapel which holds the tombs of several of the popes.
Continuing to wander
Sacristie Nord
Grand Chapelle
We have been climbing slowly through the palace and reach the ramparts, where we can walk to the edge and take in the view from the top of the palace.
View from the top
Back inside, we descend to the Grande Audience chamber and admire the beautiful wall paintings that are slowly fading away over the centuries.
Grande Audience
What's left of the decoration
Completing our tour, we head out into the square outside the palace, have a refreshment, and watch the world go by.
Around the palace into the square
Relaxing in the courtyard outside the palace
The modern "Welcome to Avignon" sign
We're coming to like Avignon!
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