Detailed review by hullaila
I went to Avignon in winter 2004 and of course I could not missed to visit the city main attraction: Les Palais des Papes.
The Popes Palace, world heritage for humanity, is one of the most visited monuments not just in the Provence region but in the entire French territory. It counts over 600,000 visitors every year.
This huge building (it covers a surface of 15.000 m2) was both a fortress and a palace, one of the finest example of gothic architecture.
Its construction started in XIV century; the north-east side or Old palace was entrusted to Pierre de Poisson by Benedict XII, while the west side or New palace was built by architect Jean de Louvres from Paris, under Clement VI and later on under pope Innocent VI, between 1342 and 1362.
There are over 20 rooms, which visitors can admire, including the popes private chambers and the frescoes painted by Italian artist Matteo Giovannetti.
The tour guide is made easier and faster with the help of audioguide in different languages which help the many visitors moving around the rooms, explaining what to see as well as giving history outline. Many people will not find every room interesting so they can move quicker to the following one.
Not all the rooms are suitable for disabled as many of them, like the first one for example, can only be reached by stairs. The staff is friendly and helpful.
The beauty of the Popes Palace is not just in the rooms, inside there are beautiful courtyards as well as towers, arches, a well, not to mention the wonderful view of the city of Avignon you can see from the top terrace.
During the year the Palace houses different cultural activities, like the art exhibit held in the Great Chapel in summer, and the Avignon Theater Festival which takes place in the Honour Courtyard in July.
At the end of the tour there are a bookshop where you can buy different kind of souvenirs and the lovely Boutelleirie, a wine cellar opened since 1999, where you can have a wine tasting of 40 Côtes du Rhône wines, selected by a committee of professionals and amateurs, and of course you can buy nice bottles of wine.
There are cheaper or more expensive wines , I bought two bottles for not more than €12 and they were really good, not only for their lovely taste but also for the popes logo on the labels.
Côtes du Rhône vineyards are among the greatest French AOC regions, thats why Avignon, capital of the Côtes du Rhône, promotes these fine wines as part of its culture and the palace gave its name to the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine. Entrance to the Boutelleirie is free and is not meant just for tourist visiting the Popes Palace but also for the locals, it is opened all the year.
Tickets to the palace tour:
Low season - €7,50 - reduced €6.00
High season - € 9,50 - reduced €750
Open all days
Palais des Papes10
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