The Popes' Palace - Cloister
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The Popes' Palace - Cult place and fortress
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The Popes' Palace - Built from 1335
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The Popes' Palace - Dream-Jacob
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| Avignon - Provence |
| The Popes' Palace |
Le Palais des Papes -
Visit |
| The skyline of Avignon is a magnificent urban landscape.
Overlooking the city and the Rhône river, the Rocher des Doms presents an exceptional set of monuments including the Saint Bénezet Bridge, (the famous « Pont d’Avignon »), the Ramparts, the Petit Palais, the Cathedral and the impressive walls of the Popes’ Palace flanked by four mighty towers. |
| This architectural group has been ranked by UNESCO: « world heritage for humanity ». |
The Palace of the Popes stands as the mighty symbol of the church’s influence throughout the western Christian world in the 14th century.
Construction was started in 1335 and completed in less than twenty years under the leadership of two builder popes, Benedict XII and his successor Clement VI.
The Popes’ Palace is the biggest Gothic palace in all of Europe (15,000 m2 of floor space, which is the equivalent of 4 Gothic cathedrals).
The visitor can see over 20 rooms, scenes of historic events, in particular the pope’s private chambers and the frescoes painted by the Italian artist Matteo Giovannetti.
The Popes’ Palace also offers the visitor continuous cultural activities throughout the year.
A major art exhibit is displayed in the Great Chapel during the summer, and the most prestigious performances of the Avignon Theater Festival, created by Jean Vilar in 1947, are given in the Honor Courtyard of the Popes’ Palace during the month of July.
EXCEPTIONAL FRESCOES:
As early as 1343, Matteo Giovannetti of Viterbo was at the head of important groups of painters coming from all over Europe. After the decoration of the Tower of the Wardrobe (the Stag Room) he was entrusted by Clement VI with the decoration of the Old Palace : Saint Martial's and Saint John's Chapel. In 1352 Matteo Giovannetti began decorating the Great Audience room. The frescoes which are still intact make up an exceptional work, one of the most interesting features of the Palace, and represent the supreme artistic quality of the first school of Avignon.
The Popes’ Palace has welcomed more than 650,000 visitors. It is one of the most visited monuments in all of France. |
| PS : OPENING HOURS :The Popes' Palace is open every day of the year.
Low season:
from November 2nd to March 14, from 9:30AM to 6:30 PM
High season:
From March 15 to June 31st: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
From July 1st to debut of the Theater festival
(first week of july) : from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
During the theater festival (july) : from 9:00AM to 9:00PM
August and September: from 9:00AM to 8:00PM |
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