Palais des Papes

The Palais des Papes in Avignon is a 14th-century fortified palace that served as the residence and administrative seat of several Avignon popes. It is a major example of medieval papal architecture and one of the largest Gothic civic complexes in Europe.

The palace complex contains large ceremonial halls, private papal apartments, chapels and defensive structures, with vaulted interiors and fresco fragments visible in several rooms. Tours typically include the Grand Tinel, the Grande Chapelle and walkways that show the palace’s defensive layout and river-facing elevations.

Construction began under Pope Benedict XII in the 1330s and continued under his successors, most notably Clement VI, during the period when the papacy was established at Avignon rather than Rome. The building functioned as a seat of papal government until the papacy returned to Rome, and it later served various civic roles before preservation and restoration secured its present form.

Located on the left bank of the Rhône in Avignon, Provence, the palace occupies a prominent position within the medieval city walls immediately adjacent to the historic Pont Saint-Bénézet.

• Date and status: Constructed in the 14th century when the papacy was resident in Avignon, it is one of the largest Gothic palaces in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Riverside siting: Sits beside the historic Pont Saint-Bénézet and the Rhône river, forming the core of Avignon's medieval walled center.

What to See #

• Papal Palace Complex: Large fortified papal palace built in the 14th century that combines administrative halls, residential apartments and chapels across adjacent wings.
• Major Halls and Chapel: Grand Tinel and the Grande Chapelle, principal ceremonial spaces used for papal audiences and liturgical functions in the 14th century.
• Private Apartments and Fortifications: Papal private apartments and defensive enclosures overlooking the Rhône; many interiors preserve medieval vaulted spaces.