Palais des Papes

In the 14th century, Avignon was home to nine popes. The major witness to their presence in the city is the Palais des Papes, an enormous stronghold and sumptuous palace. It represents the power of Christendom as well as the temporal and moral authority of the papacy at the time.

The visit provides an opportunity to explore the vast staterooms, the site of festivities and banquets, the chapels with their painted decor, the pope's private quarters, and the terraces with their breathtaking views of Avignon and the Rhone River. The valuable paintings in the chapels and the pope's private chambers have been conserved, demonstrating the inventive work of the Italian and French schools.

Histopad at the Palais des Papes:

• The HistoPad allows you to take a virtual tour of the palace's nine main rooms, which have been reimagined using virtual reality. Music-enhanced audioguides introduce the sites and their purposes, while captions detail the reconstructed furniture, artistic objects, and decorative features. Users can zoom in on items and decorations to view even the smallest details.

• The HistoPad begins instantly when you enter a room, due to a geolocation beacon system. Visitors can utilize interactive maps to guide them, plan their journey, and locate themselves.

• A fascinating activity for youngsters is available, which uses immersive views to pique their interest and bring the visit to life. Each reconstructed apartment contains a virtual object that conceals a coin bearing the portraits of the popes.

• Pick up the pope's beautiful plates from a dresser and open the secret hiding place in a chest. The young gamers can participate in a fun and educational activity that ends with a surprise treat.

The Gardens at the Pope’s Palace:

The Gardens at the Pope's Palace are an essential element of the tour. They were recently reopened and are a new addition to the visit. The gardens offer visitors a peaceful environment while also contributing to a better knowledge of the Palace as a whole. The Palace Garden and the Papal Garden join the existing public garden, the Urban V Orchard, which opened on September 14, 2018, to form the Papal Palace Gardens triptych.