Avignon & Papal Palace

Avignon, the "City of the Popes," is one of France's most historic cities. Between 1309 and 1377, seven popes resided here instead of in Rome—the so-called "Babylonian Exile of the Church"—and their legacy is the Palais des Papes, the largest Gothic palace in the world. The fully preserved city wall (4.3 km, 14th century) encloses a vibrant old town with alleys, squares, and street cafés.

The Papal Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is a colossus of white limestone—from the outside a fortress, from the inside a labyrinth of chapels, banquet halls, and papal apartments. The Great Chapel (Chapelle Clémentine) is 52 meters long and 15 meters high. The frescoes by Matteo Giovannetti in the Chapelle Saint-Jean and the Chapelle Saint-Martial are among the most important works of international Gothic. A tablet with an augmented reality tour (included in the entrance fee) brings the once splendidly furnished, now largely empty rooms back to their medieval glory.

The Pont Saint-Bénézet—better known as the Pont d'Avignon from the famous children's song ("Sur le pont d'Avignon, l'on y danse…")—has been a ruin since the 17th century: Of the original 22 arches spanning the Rhône, only four remain. You can walk the remaining arches (€5.50 or combo ticket with the palace €17) and enjoy the view of the Papal Palace from the small Saint Nicholas Chapel on the bridge.

Every July, Avignon transforms into the world capital of theater: The Festival d'Avignon (founded in 1947 by Jean Vilar) and the parallel Festival OFF bring over 1,500 performances to churches, cellars, courtyards, and the streets. The city bursts at the seams—book accommodation months in advance.