Palais des Papes
Avignon, France
A vast Gothic palace that housed the popes in the fourteenth century, its stone walls rising above a large square. Combine it with a walk along the city ramparts and to the bridge on the Rhône.
The Palais des Papes in Avignon was built between 1335 and 1352 and covers about 15,000 m². Pope Benedict XII had the Old Palace (Palais Vieux) built, and Clement VI the New Palace (Palais Neuf). The building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the largest Gothic buildings of the Middle Ages in Europe. From the terraces you see the city, the Rhône and the Pont d'Avignon.
The tour takes you through about 25 rooms, including the Audience Room, the Great Chapel and the banqueting hall (Grand Tinel); the audio guide is available in eleven languages, and there are seven short films. The Festival d'Avignon takes place in the Court of Honour, and there are also concerts and exhibitions. Combine your visit with a walk along the city walls and to the bridge.
- Nearest town
- Avignon, France
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 43.9509, 4.8076
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping BagatelleCampsite1 km from Palais des PapesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping Les AvignonCampsite2 km from Palais des Papes · 126 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping Avignon ParcCampsite9 km from Palais des PapesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Camping-Car Park AramonMotorhome stopover12 km from Palais des Papes · 22 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Mas de NicolasCampsite17 km from Palais des PapesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Aire de camping-car VallabrèguesMotorhome stopover18 km from Palais des Papes · 12 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Palais des Papes?
Palais des Papes is in Avignon, France, at GPS 43.9509, 4.8076. It is about 18 km from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
Can you camp near Palais des Papes?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping du Pont d'Avignon, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 63 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Palais des Papes?
Places worth a stop nearby: Glanum (20 km), Roman Theatre of Orange (20 km), Pont du Gard (22 km) and Les Baux-de-Provence (23 km).
When is the best time to visit Palais des Papes?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)