Popes'Palace

The Palais des Papes is one of the 10 most visited monuments in France.

The residence of the 14th-century pontiffs, it was built in less than twenty years, from 1335 onwards, mainly by two papal builders, Benedict XII and his successor Clement VI. There are 25 different areas to visit: state rooms, chapels, cloisters and the pope's private apartments, all decorated with priceless frescoes by Italian artist Matteo Giovannetti.

The monument is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2026-2027: The Palais des papes is transformed!
On May 1, 2026, a new page opens for the monument, with the introduction of new discovery stories and the opening of rooms never before shown to the public!
This tour, which will eventually be divided into 3 themes, will be accompanied by a host of mediation tools: interactive models, documentary films, explanatory labels, new signage... An enhanced visitor experience, to understand everything about the history of the Palais des papes!
Available from the opening of this new chapter, the WebApp "les clefs du palais" will enable access from any smartphone to all content in 6 languages.
We'd like to thank you for your understanding during this project, which will continue until spring 2027, and wish you a pleasant discovery!

Rooms open to the public
More than twenty rooms are now open to the public.
You can discover the audience rooms, such as the Grande Audience and the Consistoire, where major decisions were taken in the past.
The ceremonial halls impress with their exceptional dimensions: the Great Clementine Chapel was the setting for solemn ceremonies, while the Grand Tinel once resounded with pontifical feasts.
The Pope's private apartments reveal a more intimate facet of papal life, with the Papal Chamber and the famous Chambre du Cerf, adorned with secular and naturalistic frescoes unique for the period.
The chapels of St. Martial and St. John, meanwhile, offer an exceptional setting thanks to the priceless frescoes by Italian painter Matteo Giovannetti.
Last but not least, the Palais terraces open onto a magnificent panorama, embracing the city of Avignon, the Rhône and the entire monument.


NEW: THE KEYS TO THE PALACE

Discover the Palais des Papes with your Smartphone!
All along your tour, locate yourself on a map and access all the content: history, architecture, points of interest, subtitles for audiovisual content... It's up to you, using the room numbers to find your way!

How does it work?
Once on site, connect to the local WIFI called _LesClefsDuPalais
Follow the on-screen instructions or connect to visite.io
You don't need to download an application or a web connection.

Good to know:
Available in FR/EN/DE/ES/IT/CH/JP/COR
We recommend that you use your headphones to fully enjoy video and audio.

THE PALACE GARDENS
The gardens are a real attraction for visitors, providing a space for relaxation and a better understanding of the entire Palais des Papes.
The Jardin du Pape and the Jardin du Palais join the Verger Urbain V, inaugurated on September 14, 2018, and freely accessible to the public, to complete the triptych of the Jardins du Palais des Papes.
This redevelopment is structured into two areas: the Jardin du Palais (or Jardin Benoît XII, 1,250m2) and the Jardin du Pape (662m2).
The Jardin du Pape is an intimate garden, with direct access from the papal apartments. Its redevelopment has restored its precious character, with the re-creation of the griffin fountain and the surrounding flower meadow. The famous and imposing Roma building, of which only a trace remains on the ground, has been reconstituted in the form of a monumental pergola, which will eventually be entirely covered with plants.
You can visit the Palais gardens on their own, or combine them with a visit to the Pont d'Avignon or the Palais des Papes.
Free for Avignon residents every day of the year, upon reservation and presentation of proof of address.

IH : Museography adapted for the hearing impaired.
Due to a large number of steps, the tour of the Palais des Papes is partially inaccessible to wheelchair users.


Numerous guided tours of the monument are offered throughout the year.
Information and reservations at www.avignon-tourisme.com

The boutique-bookshop is open all year round.
See the store video: https://youtu.be/17JXNFKn7Cc

Pets are not allowed (except guide dogs).

The Palais des Papes has been awarded the "Accueil vélo" label.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Babies and strollers: strollers may not be used inside the monument and must be left at the cloakroom. Baby carriers available on loan.

TICKETS: Avignon Tourisme invites you to book your visit online by choosing your time slot.
Reservations at www.avignon-tourisme.com
Tickets can be purchased on site and at the tourist office for slots that are not fully booked.

Subject to change without notice.

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