Palace · France · Restored

Palais des Papes

The Palais des Papes in Avignon is a vast medieval Gothic palace that served as the papal residence and administrative centre during the 14th-century Avignon Papacy. Built as two joined complexes (Palais Vieux and Palais Neuf), it is dominated by massive fortified walls, tall towers and large ceremonial and devotional interiors. Today it is a restored historic monument and museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1364

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1364

What Palais des Papes looked like in its prime.

A massive limestone fortress-palace set on a rocky outcrop above the Rhône, its silhouette dominated by broad, crenelated curtain walls and a sequence of tall, square towers. Pale, weathered ashlar blocks, narrow slit and lancet windows, and projecting battlements give a compact, vertical rhythm; a long, steep-roofed chapel volume rises behind the walls. Rooflines, walkways and enclosed courtyards step down the rock; the whole presents as a fortified, monumental block of light-beige stone against the sky.

Step inside

9 places to explore in 1364.

The record describes 9 distinct spots at Palais des Papes, including 7 interiors: court of honor (main courtyard), grand chapel interior, great tinel (great hall) and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more photos, more angles and more of the immersive experience.

Rhone riverside approachCourt of Honor (main courtyard)Grand Chapel interiorGreat Tinel (great hall)Clement VI studium (Chambre du Cerf)Saint-Martial chapelSaint-Jean chapelCloister (Palais Vieux)Rooftop parapets and towers

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