Outside the Palais des Papes
The Palais des PApes is certainly Avignon’s most well known monument. This is different from the other monuments which I have been to in France. This time, it wasn’t related to the ancient Roman empire. I have been exploring this palace, not for kings but for popes. It was a time where the seat of the Christian world was not in Rome, but in Avignon. Arguably, the Avignon papacy increased the prestige of the medieval city of Avignon. There are understandably important people who came to Avignon to pay their respects to the pope. And they have a whole palace set up for that. While the Palais des Papes doesn’t match up to the Palace of Versailles when it comes to over the top design, it can still impress visitors with its size.
Halls Inside the Palais des Papes
Much of the interior of the Palais des Papes is bare now. There would be isolated places which still have their original design intact. These are quickly pointed out by the video guide. It was a shame that the former grandeur of the Palais des Papes was never restored. During the French revolution, the Palais des Papes was taken over and even looted. This explains the lack of furniture of the halls of the Palais des Papes. The French have since learned the value of preserving their heritage whether they are proud of it or not. At least much of the structure of the Palais des Papes is still there. Parts of it are even being actively restored. Perhaps a future visit to the palace would reveal a different side of it.
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