Photo: Historic Palais Des Papes France

The historic Palais des Papes looms over Avignon in Provence, France in Europe.

Pope Clement V moved the Papal court from Rome to Avignon in 1309 due to factional problems and a scheming Philippe IV of France. At the time the building was quite small, but during the years until 1376 it was transformed into the spectacular, historic fortress-palace we see today. While the Papal court resided in Avignon, France the Palais des Papes saw seven Popes reign. After that there were two anti-popes, the last one Benedict XIII left in 1403.The exterior of this historic palace looks very forbidding, however the rooms and halls inside are covered with fantastic frescoes of artists Giovanni Luca and Matteo Giovannetti. Unfortunately in 1413 many paintings and tapestries were destroyed by fire. The Palais des Papes covers approximately 15,000 square meters, towering over the town of Avignon, France. The Great Chapel is 20 meters high and covers an area of 790 square meters.The huge courtyard in the front is surrounded with cafes and restaurants. ... continue below the picture...

... Visitors find it is worth taking the audio-guide which comes with the admission fee. The historic Palais des Papes in France is also the venue each year for the Avignon Festival in July. Palais des Papes along Place du Palais in the medieval walled city of Avignon, Vaucluse, Provence, France, Europe.