Avignon's Palace Of The Popes
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Popes who reigned from Avignon, France built this Gothic
castle during the 1300s. Arles Nearby
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Palace Of The Popes
The Palace of the Popes was built in the early thirteen hundreds as a fortified palace when Popes followed the lead of Pope Clement V in 1309 and established residence in France rather than Rome.
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Avignon's Pont Saint Benezet , a partial bridge built on the Rhone
River. Walk the bridge from the Palace of the Popes
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Schism
In Rome a schism developed between French and Roman church leaders and the French elected their own Pope who would reign from Avignon. The Avignon Papacy continued until 1405
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The Palace of the Popes is open for tours but few of the interior
furnishing remain
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French Popes
Rome was politically unstable at the time so six Popes eventually reigned in Avignon from 1309 to 1376. Cardinals and other church officials built sumptuous residences around the palace as the city became the most populous in France. The church in France became very wealthy and this allowed the Popes to build summer residences along the Rhone at Chateneuf du Pape where they developed vineyards.
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| A large plaza fronts the Palace of the Popes |
Plague and War
During the later half of the thirteen hundreds the plague coupled with pillaging armies demanding tribute from wealthy Avignon forced Pope Gregory XI, in 1377, to return the Papacy to Rome.
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Restaurants offer outside dining in the
plaza with a great view of the palace.
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Reach Avignon from Paris in 2.5 hours by TGV train from Gare de Lyon or ,in season, direct trains from London St. Pancras Station
Related links
Arles Bus Service
Arles Bus Service
Avignon Day Trips, Antiques
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