Day Trip to Avignon from Arles, France

Avignon is located close to Arles.  It is most famous for the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), which served as the residence of the popes during the Avignon Papacy in the 14th century.

Palais des Papes: Pl. du Palais, 84000 Avignon, France
Avignon Cathedral: Pl. du Palais, 84000 Avignon, France
Date Picture Taken: April, 2024

It is easy to travel to Avignon from Arles by train, and I spent a day there visiting the famous Palace of the Popes.  The city is walled.

I walked to the Palace of the Popes from the train station. The main street, Rue de la République, goes straight from the train station to the Palace.

Musée Lapidaire – Small museum in a 17th-century church exhibiting Greek, Roman & Etruscan sculptures, vases & glass.

Place de l’Horloge

Panoramic view of the plaza

Place du Palais, the plaza in front of the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes).

Palais des Papes.  The Palais des Papes was the residence of the popes during the Avignon Papacy from 1309 to 1377. This period saw a total of seven popes residing in Avignon, making it the center of the Catholic Church. The palace is not only a symbol of the church’s power but also an architectural masterpiece that showcases the grandeur of medieval Gothic design.

Another panoramic view of the same area.  The church next to the palace is the Avignon Cathedral.

The Avignon Cathedral.  The Avignon Cathedral has a rich history dating back to the 12th century. It has been the seat of the Archbishop of Avignon and played a crucial role during the Avignon Papacy when the popes resided in the city.

The back of the church and the palace

Came back to the front side

The central nave is simple yet striking, with its Romanesque arches leading the eye toward the altar. The lack of elaborate decoration emphasizes the architectural purity of the space.

The altar

The back side

A side chapel

The back of the church is a park, Jardin des Doms.

I turned around and walked to the opposite side of the plaza toward the Rhone River.

Here, I saw the Pont Saint-Bénezet (Le Pont d’Avignon).  The bridge, which originally spanned the Rhône River, now stands partially with only four of its original 22 arches remaining.

Built between 1177 and 1185, Pont Saint-Bénézet was a crucial crossing point over the Rhône River, linking Avignon with Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. The bridge served as a major route for pilgrims, traders, and travelers, contributing significantly to the region’s economic and social life.

Powerful currents and periodic flooding of the river partially destroyed the bridge.

I walked back to the palace

I explored the Palace of the Popes next. The move of the papal residence from Rome to Avignon in the early 14th century, known as the Avignon Papacy, occurred due to a combination of political, social, and ecclesiastical factors.

Rome was experiencing significant political turmoil and factional violence at the time. The city was unsafe and unstable, making it difficult for the Pope to govern effectively.

The papal election of 1305 resulted in the selection of Pope Clement V, who was French. He chose to settle in Avignon, which was not part of France but was under strong French influence. The French crown had a significant impact on the papacy during this period, and the proximity to France allowed the French kings to exert considerable control over the Pope.

Inside the Palace was a modern seating area for some events or theater works.

Inner courtyard

These stairs went to the next floor, but I came back here later for the second floor.  I turned around and explored the first floor.

This room has posters of the seven Popes who resided here.

The Avignon Papacy lasted from 1309 to 1377, during which seven successive popes resided in Avignon. The return to Rome was initiated by Pope Gregory XI in 1377, largely due to pressure from various factions within the Church and from the people of Rome who desired the return of the papal court to its traditional seat.

The map of the palace and the red colored rooms are the current location.

Followed the visitor route

Came back to the inner courtyard

I went upstairs to the second floor

The palace is in Gothic design, with its pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses. Each room and hallway offers a new architectural design, from the intricate stone carvings to the grandiose ceilings.

My backside

Entered a small side room.

Exiting the palace

I came out from the palace and walked to the train station.