Pope's Palace (Palais des Papes)
Quick Facts
- Location
- France, Avignon
- Category
- Sightseeing
- Duration
- Half day
- Opening Hours
- Daily 10:00-17:00 · The tariffs and hours page says the monument is open every day all year with the last entry one hour before closing, then lists 10:00-18:00 from 1 to 4 January, 10:00-17:00 from 5 January to 6 February, 10:00-18:00 from 7 to 28 February, 09:00-19:00 from 1 March to 1 November, 10:00-17:00 from 2 November to 18 December and 10:00-18:00 from 19 to 31 December; the value here follows the band the site shows for 2 November to 18 December. Online booking is recommended. A new visit chapter with rooms never shown before opened on 1 May 2026, with work continuing until spring 2027.
- Ticket Price
- Adult: Palace with the Papal Gardens 16 euros, reduced 13, ages 10 to 17 at 10 euros · Student: School parties from outside the Grand Avignon area pay 10 euros · The option that adds the Pont d Avignon runs 19.50 euros, reduced 16, and 12 euros for ages 10 to 17 and for school groups. The Avignon City Pass costs 24 euros for 24 hours and 32 euros for 48 hours. Group and guide bookings go to the monuments ticketing desk on [email protected] or 04 90 27 50 50, option 1.
- Address
- Place du Palais des Papes, 84000 Avignon
- Coordinates
- 43.9510, 4.8050
Introduction
The Palais des Papes is one of the most magnificent and important Gothic palaces in Europe. This huge stone palace standing in Avignon's old-town center, majestic and grand, is the glorious witness that the Catholic papacy once moved here in the 14th century, and the core landmark of Avignon as the city of popes. The building of the Palais des Papes traces to a unique and important period of Catholic history—in the 14th century, for historical reasons, the Roman papacy once moved from Rome to Avignon in France, with several popes residing here for decades (the Avignon papacy). To show the majesty and power of the papacy, successive popes built here a grand, fortress-like Gothic palace—one of the largest and most important Gothic buildings in Europe then, and a center of Christian-world power. The palace is majestic and strong: towering thick stone walls, lofty towers, and many grand halls inside (banquet hall, chapel, pope's apartment and study), all showing the former majesty, wealth and glory of the papacy; some precious medieval frescoes remain. This grand palace with Avignon's historic center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today visitors can walk into this grand palace, through grand halls and courtyards, imagine the glorious history of the papacy's residence in Avignon, and feel the grandeur and weight of this Gothic palace (in summer it often hosts the Avignon Theatre Festival and other events). Explore Avignon, walk into the grand Palais des Papes, and feel the glorious history of the city of popes—the unmissable number-one sight of Avignon.
✨ Highlights
🛈 Practical Info
Opening Hours
| Monday | 10:00-17:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00-17:00 |
| Wednesday | 10:00-17:00 |
| Thursday | 10:00-17:00 |
| Friday | 10:00-17:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00-17:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00-17:00 |
The tariffs and hours page says the monument is open every day all year with the last entry one hour before closing, then lists 10:00-18:00 from 1 to 4 January, 10:00-17:00 from 5 January to 6 February, 10:00-18:00 from 7 to 28 February, 09:00-19:00 from 1 March to 1 November, 10:00-17:00 from 2 November to 18 December and 10:00-18:00 from 19 to 31 December; the value here follows the band the site shows for 2 November to 18 December. Online booking is recommended. A new visit chapter with rooms never shown before opened on 1 May 2026, with work continuing until spring 2027.
Ticket Information
| Adult | Palace with the Papal Gardens 16 euros, reduced 13, ages 10 to 17 at 10 euros |
|---|---|
| Student | School parties from outside the Grand Avignon area pay 10 euros |
| Child | Children under 10 enter the monuments free |
| Senior | The page lists no senior band; its own conditions page defines who qualifies for the reduced rate |
| Free Admission | Residents of Avignon go free all year, with the palace open entry every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday and the gardens free access, and the Histopad tablet given at the entrance in seven languages |
The option that adds the Pont d Avignon runs 19.50 euros, reduced 16, and 12 euros for ages 10 to 17 and for school groups. The Avignon City Pass costs 24 euros for 24 hours and 32 euros for 48 hours. Group and guide bookings go to the monuments ticketing desk on [email protected] or 04 90 27 50 50, option 1.
💡 Tips
FAQ
What are the opening hours of Pope's Palace (Palais des Papes)?
Monday: 10:00-17:00; Tuesday: 10:00-17:00; Wednesday: 10:00-17:00; Thursday: 10:00-17:00; Friday: 10:00-17:00; Saturday: 10:00-17:00; Sunday: 10:00-17:00; The tariffs and hours page says the monument is open every day all year with the last entry one hour before closing, then lists 10:00-18:00 from 1 to 4 January, 10:00-17:00 from 5 January to 6 February, 10:00-18:00 from 7 to 28 February, 09:00-19:00 from 1 March to 1 November, 10:00-17:00 from 2 November to 18 December and 10:00-18:00 from 19 to 31 December; the value here follows the band the site shows for 2 November to 18 December. Online booking is recommended. A new visit chapter with rooms never shown before opened on 1 May 2026, with work continuing until spring 2027.
How much is the admission for Pope's Palace (Palais des Papes)?
Adult: Palace with the Papal Gardens 16 euros, reduced 13, ages 10 to 17 at 10 euros; Student: School parties from outside the Grand Avignon area pay 10 euros; Child: Children under 10 enter the monuments free; Senior: The page lists no senior band; its own conditions page defines who qualifies for the reduced rate; Free Admission: Residents of Avignon go free all year, with the palace open entry every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday and the gardens free access, and the Histopad tablet given at the entrance in seven languages; The option that adds the Pont d Avignon runs 19.50 euros, reduced 16, and 12 euros for ages 10 to 17 and for school groups. The Avignon City Pass costs 24 euros for 24 hours and 32 euros for 48 hours. Group and guide bookings go to the monuments ticketing desk on [email protected] or 04 90 27 50 50, option 1.
Any practical tips for visiting Pope's Palace (Palais des Papes)?
Enter the grand Palais des Papes and feel Avignon's glory as the city of popes. In the 14th c. the Roman papacy moved here; several popes resided.
How long should I spend at Pope's Palace (Palais des Papes)?
A typical visit takes Half day.
