Photo: Palace Of The Popes France

The ancient Palace of the Popes, Palais des Papes, on the Place du Palais in Avignon, Provence in France, Europe.

The Palace of the Popes or Palais des Papes is situated on the Place du Palais in the old city of Avignon in Provence, France. At one time, there were many houses on the Place du Palais, but anti-pope Benedict Xlll decided to get rid of them so that the walls of the Palais des Papes would look like a citadel, more forbidding and unable to be scaled.The reason the Palace of the Popes was built in Avignon, Provence was because the French Pope Clement V was elected in 1309, and the French king persuaded the Pope and his entourage to leave Italy. The Catholic Church actually financed Avignon and a succession of popes lived there until 1403. During Napoleon's time the palace was used as a barracks and prison.Today, visitors can take a self-conducted tour of this largest Gothic palace in Europe, the Palais des Papes, in Avignon, Provence with the aid of an audioguide. There is not as many furnishings ... continue below the picture...

... as one would find in other palaces but the frescoes, panelling and atmosphere are reasons enough to visit the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, France.Palais des Papas along Place du Palais in the medieval walled city of Avignon, Vaucluse, Provence, France, Europe.