Palace of the Popes & Gardens: Entry Ticket at Palais Des Papes

Palace of the Popes & Gardens Tickets

The Palace of the Popes towers over Avignon as the world's largest Gothic building and stands as one of Europe's most remarkable medieval monuments. Built from 1316 onwards under Pope John XXII, this colossal fortress served as the papal residence for nine popes during the 14th century, when Avignon briefly became the centre of the Catholic world.

Your visit takes you through vast ceremonial halls where papal audiences shaped European politics, private papal apartments adorned with original 14th-century frescoes, and the magnificent Great Chapel with its soaring Gothic arches. The included Histopad digital guide brings the palace's history to life with 3D reconstructions showing how rooms looked during papal times, complete with virtual furniture, tapestries and court life scenes. After exploring the palace's 25 rooms, the gardens provide a peaceful contrast with their manicured lawns, seasonal flower displays and panoramic views over the Rhône Valley.

Highlights

• Great Audience Hall with its impressive ribbed vaulting and massive stone columns where papal ceremonies took place
• Pope's Bedroom featuring original 14th-century frescoes depicting scenes of courtly life and nature
• Grand Tinel banquet hall, measuring 48 metres long, where papal feasts hosted European royalty
• Saint-Martial Chapel's stunning frescoes by Italian artist Matteo Giovannetti
• Palace gardens with their terraced design, historic statues and sweeping views of Avignon's old town
• Interactive Histopad experience with augmented reality features showing the palace in its medieval glory

Plan Your Visit to Palace of the Popes

The palace opens daily from 9:00am to 7:00pm, making it easy to fit into your Avignon itinerary. Allow 2-3 hours for a thorough visit including the gardens and temporary exhibitions. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon to avoid peak crowds, particularly during summer months.

Located in Avignon's historic centre, the palace sits just steps from guided walking tours of Avignon's medieval streets. The entrance faces Place du Palais, easily reached on foot from Avignon's central train station in about 15 minutes. Remember to bring your own earphones for the Histopad audio guide and valid ID for ticket collection.

After your palace visit, consider exploring more of Provence's papal heritage with tickets to the nearby Pont du Gard, the Roman aqueduct that showcases the region's rich historical layers spanning from ancient Rome through the papal period.