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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 09 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Dana Facaros

When the popes abandoned tumultuous Rome in 1309, they came to Avignon. Seven reigned here until 1377, in a colourful period of greed and depravity that the poet Petrarch labelled the ‘Babylonian captivity’. They left behind nothing less than the biggest Gothic palace of all time, built for luxury as well as defence.

Although much of its decoration has been lost over time, it has lost none of its power to amaze. It’s a big site not really suited to younger children, though ‘Les Luminessences’ – an outdoor 3D show, held every evening from mid-August to late September – is good for all the family.

Don't miss

The palace’s Musée du Petit Palais houses an outstanding collection of medieval and early Renaissance art, including a lovely Botticelli Madonna and an altarpiece by Enguerrand Quarton.

Within the palace grounds, you’ll find an excellent wine shop selling 55 different Cotes du Rhone wines at vineyard prices.

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Price from: £10
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Guided tours are currently only in French (pre-COVID they used to have English tours too – check the website to see if they’re back). Even without a tour, the new multimedia installations recreating the sumptuous 14th century bring the palace and popes to life.

When to do it

The palace is open all year round, seven days a week. In summer, arrive at opening time to avoid queues. It’s more of a treat in the winter, when you practically have it to yourself.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Avignon Walking Tour including the Pope's Palace

Avignon Walking Tour including the Pope's Palace

Avignon

Marvel at magnificent medieval architecture on this 3-hour walking tour of Avignon, including the Pope’s Palace. Explore the UNESCO World He...

€56 | Rating 4.28 / 5 [70 ratings]

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Avignon & Luberon Experience

Avignon & Luberon Experience

Avignon

See the best of Provence with Avignon and Luberon on this day trip. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the city of Pope and visit the Popes' Pa...

€122 | Rating 4.5 / 5 [8 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Classic old town Avignon from the Romans to the Pope's - half day private tour

Classic old town Avignon from the Romans to the Pope's - half day private tour

Avignon

Tour summary - classic old town Avignon: - See the iconic sights of Avignon, historic city best known for the impressive Palais des Papes – ...

€275 | Rating 5 / 5 [14 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Avignon & the Pont du Gard

Avignon & the Pont du Gard

Avignon

Meet your professional guide at the Marseille cruise terminal and climb aboard a comfortable minivan for a private excursion to discover Avi...

€440 | Rating 4.62 / 5 [8 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

La Mirande Hotel

Avignon, Provence, France[0.1 miles]

A magnificent, evocative and aristocratic luxury hotel, right next to Avignon’s Palace of the Popes.

Official star rating:

Hotel d’Europe

Avignon, Provence, France[0.3 miles]

An uber-luxury, boutique hotel set in a 16th-century mansion right in Avignon’s medieval centre. The city’s oldest hotel oozes elegance and class.

Official star rating:

Hotel Le Colbert

Avignon, Provence, France[0.7 miles]

Quirky, bohemian and great value boutique hotel conveniently located within easy walking distance of Avignon’s attractions. One for the budget-conscious traveller.

Official star rating:

Chateau des Alpilles

Saint-Remy, Provence, France[17.9 miles]

An elegant, historic 19th-century chateau hotel just outside historic Saint-Remy, set in glorious grounds.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Provence

Provence, France

Gorgeous landscapes peppered with beautiful villages, sunflowers and lavender, art-filled towns, lively cultural festivals and exquisite food and wine. Provence is everything you imagined it would be.

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Avignon Festival

Avignon, Provence, France[0.1 miles]

Nearly a thousand shows and exhibitions over three weeks, showcasing world-class drama, music and dance. France’s answer to the UK’s Edinburgh Festival.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 3 weeks

Angladon Museum

Avignon, Provence, France[0.5 miles]

A superb private art collection in a townhouse, including the only Van Gogh in Provence. There are also paintings by Chardin, Manet, Cezanne, Degas, Modigliani, Sisley and Picasso.

Best for ages: 18+ | £7

Provence Wine Region

Provence, France[14.7 miles]

Postcard-perfect vineyards yielding world-famous wines – Provence is the home of the most prestigious Cotes du Rhone wines, including the reds of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Beaumes-de-Venise.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Exterior of the Little Palace Museum
Experience

Petit Palais Museum

Avignon, Provence, France[0.2 miles]

Papal Avignon was the centre of the European art for decades, and over 300 works of (mostly) Italian medieval and renaissance paintings and sculptures commissioned by the wealthy prelates of the church, including a Botticelli Madonna, are displayed in this 14th-century palace.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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The exterior facade and entrance of the St Paul de Mausole, a golden stone building
Experience

St-Paul-de-Mausole

Saint-Remy-de-Provence, Provence, France[19.5 miles]

The asylum where Van Gogh spent 1888-89 is a masterpiece of Provencal Romanesque, and today specializes, appropriately, in art therapy. His room and reproductions of the paintings he made there are on display, along with temporary exhibitions.

Best for ages: 18+ | £4

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Olive oil tasting at Moulin Castelas
Experience

Olive oil tasting at Moulin Castelas

Les Baux-de-Provence, Provence, France[23.8 miles]

In the stunning setting of Les Baux, learn all about Provence’s greeny-golden nectar on these free tastings of these award-winning oils. Open all year-round, but short walks through the olive groves and visits to the mill are also offered from June to September.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 2 hours

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Round-ups that include this experience

101 World’s greatest historic buildings

Multiple countries

The great civilisations of the past have left a legacy of constructions that still stand out and inspire. Built without the wonders of 20th-century technology, many are also monumental feats of engineering; others offer such grace and beauty, that they’ll literally take your breath away.

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