Photo: Popes Palace Provence

The magnificent Palais des Papes or Popes Palace in the medieval city of Avignon in Vaucluse, Provence, France in Europe.

The magnificent Palais des Papes, Palace of the Popes or Popes' Palace, whatever name one uses, in Avignon, Provence, France is the largest Gothic Palace to be found in Europe having 15,000 square meters of floor space. The Palais des Papes in Avignon is really the blending of two palaces - the grim 'Old Palace' built from 1334 to 1342 for Pope Benedict Xll and the more elaborate 'New Palace' (1342-52) for Clement Vl and Innocent Vl.The enormous Popes' Palace and surrounding grounds in Avignon, Vaucluse in Provence reflects the influence and large fortunes the papacy had during the 'Babylonian Captivity' in the 14th century. However, some of the finery and extravagance was destroyed during the French Revolution in the 1780s.Visitors to the Palace of the Popes in Avignon will be able to see twenty-four of the rooms and halls, one of the most outstanding rooms being the Pope's private chambers with frescoes of grapevines and birds on the walls painted by Matteo Giovannetti. ... continue below the picture...

... It is recommended using the audio-guide included in the price of admission to the Palais des Papes as the huge stone halls may be confusing.Palais des Papas along Place du Palais in the medieval city of Avignon, Vaucluse, Provence, France, Europe.