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Palais des Papes (Papal Palace of Avignon)

Perched on the Rocher des Doms, this colossal Gothic palace combines two constructions: the austere Palais Vieux of Benedict XII, with its wings around a cloister and tall towers, and the sumptuous Palais Neuf of Clement VI, with a great 52-metre chapel. The route passes through some 25 rooms, among them the Grand Tinel, where the cardinals met in conclave, and the chambre du cerf, with 14th-century frescoes of courtly hunting scenes. In the chapels of St Martial and St John, painted cycles by Matteo Giovanetti restored in 2005 are preserved, testimony to the first school of Avignon. The Court of Honour hosts the Avignon Festival every July and the palace also holds temporary contemporary art exhibitions.

Things to do at Palais des Papes (Papal Palace of Avignon): 6 missions

• See the Chapel of Saint JohnDiscover the Chapel of Saint John, located beneath the Chapel of Saint Martial, whose decoration was commissioned from Matteo Giovannetti between 1347 and 1348.
• See the decoration of the Grande AudienceAdmire the Grande Audience, whose decoration Matteo Giovanetti undertook in 1352.
• Visit the Cour d'HonneurDiscover the Cour d'Honneur of the palace, an emblematic venue of the Avignon Festival since 1947.
• Gaze at the frescoes of the Chambre du CerfObserve the 14th-century frescoes with scenes of courtly hunting that decorate the walls and vaults of the Chambre du Cerf.
• Gaze at the paintings of the Chapel of Saint MartialObserve the paintings that recount the main parts of the life of Saint Martial in the chapel on the second level of the Saint-Jean tower.
• Take the guided tour – The Palace of the Popes, by NightTake part in the night-time guided tour of the Palace of the Popes.

Near Palais des Papes (Papal Palace of Avignon)

Source: palais-des-papes.com