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Palais des Papes is a window into France’s royal and medieval past. Locate it on the map, book a room nearby in a click, or add it to your travel list to build your itinerary.
About Palais des Papes
The Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) is a historic building located in the city of Avignon, France. The palace was built in the 14th century as the residence of the Popes who had fled from Rome due to political turmoil. The construction of the palace began in 1335 and was completed in less than 20 years. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. The Palais des Papes consists of two main buildings, the Palais Vieux (Old Palace) and the Palais Neuf (New Palace). The Palais Vieux was built first and is the smaller of the two buildings. It served as the residence of Pope Benedict XII. The Palais Neuf was built later and is larger than the Palais Vieux. It was built to house the growing number of officials and courtiers who were employed by the Pope. The Palais des Papes is an impressive example of medieval architecture. The palace features massive stone walls, towers, and battlements. The interior of the palace is equally impressive with large rooms, frescoes, and tapestries. The palace also has a large courtyard that was used for various ceremonies and events. Today, the Palais des Papes is open to the public and serves as a museum. Visitors can explore the palace and learn about the history of the Popes who lived there. The palace also hosts various exhibitions and events throughout the year, including concerts, theater performances, and art exhibitions.
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