Palais des Papes Palace

Address: Palais des Papes, Place du Palais, 84000 Avignon, France

Website: https://www.palais-des-papes.com/en/

Hours: Open daily; seasonal hours apply - check official site before visiting.

Admission: Adult admission charged (museum/tour ticket) - see official site for current rates.

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.

The Palais des Papes is in central Avignon a short walk from Avignon Centre station (Gare d’Avignon - roughly 10 minutes on foot). If arriving at Avignon TGV station (outside the city) use the shuttle bus or taxi into the centre (about 10-15 minutes). By road Avignon is served from the A7/A9; Marseille is roughly 100 km away (around 1-1¼ hours by car).

• Arrive at opening or late afternoon to avoid peak guided-group times; the Palais is one of Avignon's busiest sites during summer and the Festival, when queues can be long.
• Enter through the main Place du Palais approach and buy timed tickets in advance when possible; this keeps waiting time down and lets you plan to visit the papal apartments and chapels in a quieter window.
• Don't rush past the private papal apartments and decorated chapels-these rooms contain major fresco cycles and details that many visitors miss when they hurry through the larger ceremonial spaces.