Papal Palace Tickets and Tours in Avignon

Far from the glamour of other French cities such as Lyon or Paris, Avignon shines in its own right. Located in the south-east of France, in the Provence region, this medieval jewel continues to dazzle its hundreds of thousands of visitors. Located a few metres from the Rhône river, the Papal Palace is the centre of the city.

Visiting the Palais des Papes is without a doubt one of the must-see sights in Provence. Over the centuries, this palace has been home to 9 different popes, as well as priceless frescoes and sublime architecture. In this article I will tell you all about how to visit this incredible place, which was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

The most practical option

Avignon Palais des Papes Tickets

A tour of the interior of the Papal Palace in Avignon, including its halls and galleries.

You will tour the largest Gothic building in the world, immerse yourself in a dreamlike atmosphere and understand how people lived in the 14th century thanks to an augmented reality tablet that faithfully reconstructs the building as it was centuries ago.

From RM71 at Hellotickets

Buying your tickets to the Papal Palace of Avignon will allow you to get to know this Gothic building and all the history it holds within its walls. You will also be able to enjoy a stroll through its splendid gardens and, if you choose the option, enjoy a truly fascinating sound and light show.

Recommended if... you are travelling with children, as queuing for a long time to get into an attraction can be a headache and, in addition, with the entrance ticket the little ones will be able to take part in an interactive treasure hunt.

Tickets to this incredible Gothic-medieval monument start at 17 euros per person. They can be purchased very easily online, so you can save unnecessary queues and start enjoying all the majesty of the palace right away. Of course, you can also combine entry to the palace with tickets to the famous Pont d'Avignon or the Papal Gardens, both of which are highly recommended.

Although the ticket to the Palace of the Popes in Avignon is a single ticket, you can purchase it in conjunction with tickets to the beautiful Papal Gardens or the Avignon Bridge. If you choose tickets to two or three of these attractions, you can even get a better price. The ticket includes a histopad with 7 languages available, including English, which will be your guide throughout your visit and will allow you to learn all the details of this wonderful place.

All of these tickets, purchased online, will save you from having to queue endlessly in front of the palace ticket office. This is ideal if you are travelling with children, as for the little ones the wait can be too tedious and they can easily get irritated, thus spoiling the visit.

Yes, like most major cities, Avignon has its own City Pass, and among the attractions included is the Papal Palace, as it is the city's best kept treasure. Opting for this pass will save you money on the cost of entry, although the actual savings for this attraction are not significant. The Avignon Pass is best if you plan to visit a large number of attractions in a few days.

The Palace of the Popes is included in all the best tours of Avignon, as it is a national jewel, and a World Heritage Site.

There are guided tours of the interior of the palace to discover the history of this stone colossus, which has been home to 9 Popes and papal seat. Although the visit can be very interesting, when you buy the ticket for the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, a histopad is included, with which you can get to know and learn as you go through the palace, so, in my opinion, the guided tour is only recommended if you are not good with technology, or if you are one of those who prefer a guide in the flesh and blood.

The histopad has a geolocation system that detects each room you enter, making it very easy to navigate your way around the palace. Thanks to its animated maps, you can find your way around and organise your visit. It also shows you which other rooms are close by.

The palace offers discounted tickets, however it is worth noting that the prices are very affordable indeed, especially considering what we will see on our visit. The Papal Palace offers discounted tickets for:

• Students with some form of certificate (currently valid).
• People with a disability of at least 80%.
• Children under 17 years of age.
• Over 60s with ID.

You can even ask about discounts for large families. All this information can also be found on the official website.

Yes, children between the ages of 8 and 17 pay a reduced admission fee of around 10 euros, and children under the age of 8 are free of charge. If you are travelling with children, the Palais des Papes d'Avignon is a place that will fascinate them. They will be able to see medieval artefacts and enjoy a stroll through its beautiful gardens and huge halls and courtyards.

It is always a good idea to tell them a story that took place there (you can even invent names and details to add an extra dose of adventure and excitement). Another thing to keep in mind is that the palace is perfectly walkable with a baby carriage, and there are benches to sit and take a break in almost every room.

The histopad offers an interactive treasure hunt for children. Through an animation on the screen, each room shows a virtual object where a coin is hidden with the parents' mark on it. This is yet another way to introduce children to the wonderful world of French history.

It is always preferable to buy your tickets online, as it saves you queuing, you don't waste time and you can consult and plan your visit in advance. This is definitely one of the must-see attractions if you are visiting Avignon for 2 days, as there is no better place to learn about the city's past. Centuries of history have passed within its stone walls.

When you buy your tickets online you can also read reviews from other travellers, as they often allow you to find out worthwhile details.

The opening hours of the Papal Palace of Avignon change depending on the time of the year you decide to visit. Here are the opening and closing times from January to December:

• Between 1 January and 3 February it is open every day between 10am and 5pm.
• Between 4 February and 28 February it is open every day between 10am and 6pm.
• Between March 1st and November 5th it is open every day between 9am and 7pm.
• Between November 6th and December 22nd it is open every day between 10am and 5pm.
• Between 23 December and 31 December it is open every day between 10am and 6pm.

Please note that entry is allowed up to 1 hour before closing time.

The time you need to visit this amazing palace will depend on the type of visit you wish to make. Keep in mind that the place has 25 halls open to the public, a lot of frescoes, beautiful courtyards and gardens, 5 cathedrals, and much more. In general, you can do the whole tour in about 90 minutes, but I assure you that it is worth taking the time to enjoy it to the fullest.

There are many attractions in this medieval palace, and the histopad allows you to get to know every corner in detail. And if you're an architecture enthusiast, you'll find a wealth of treasures both inside and outside the palace. The frescoes inside the palace are mostly the work of two of the most renowned masters of the Sienese school: Simone Martini and Matteo Giovanetti.

It's always a good time to visit the palace, but I recommend avoiding the colder winter months, as you won't be able to enjoy the gardens or inner courtyards as much as in the warmer months. From April to September temperatures are pleasant, and you will be able to visit not only the palace but the whole city without any problems.

Of course, if you're passing through Avignon in winter, I advise you to book a ticket for the Papal Palace anyway. Do take some warm clothes, especially for strolling around the gardens. Always check what the weather will be like in Avignon, so you can better organise your visit.

There is no one in Avignon who does not know where the Papal Palace is, as it is its most precious building. Being in the centre of the city, next to the mythical Pont d'Avignon, almost on the banks of the Rhône, there are many ways to get here. Depending on where you are, you can opt for the train, the nearest station being the Gare d'Avignon Centre.

Buses are also a good way to get here, with lines 11 and 20 being the closest. And, of course, you can also take a taxi, Uber or Lyft. From Avignon TGV station to the Palace, for example, it's about 4 kilometres, so you can even walk, while enjoying a stroll around this charming city.

The whole building itself is not to be missed, but I must say that the Grande Chapelle is one of the most incredible places for architecture lovers, its dimensions and its exceptional presence make it one of the must-sees of the palace.

Also, another thing you cannot miss during your visit is the collection of frescoes, most of which date back to the 14th century. You can't miss the room with the portraits of the 9 Popes who resided in the palace, an important part of the history of the place.

• The Papal Palace of Avignon is one of the key points of the city, and to visit it I recommend you take the time to discover its corners full of history.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, as there are about 25 halls, courtyards, gardens, chapels and more to visit.
• Another tip I can give you is to buy your tickets online to avoid queues and delays.
• The whole tour can be done in about 90 minutes, although it is always better to take a moment in each space to appreciate its architecture, furniture and all the details included in the histopad.
• If you are an architecture or history buff, I recommend reading a little about the palace to further enrich your visit.
• If you are only visiting Avignon for 3 days, you must visit this jewel of medieval gothic architecture. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the palace has been used as an exhibition space for both ancient and contemporary art.
• Before your visit you can check on the palace's website to see what exhibitions or shows are currently available, so that, in addition to the history of the place, you can enjoy the best of art.

After visiting this amazing palace, you can learn a little more about the region on one of the highly recommended day trips to Provence from Avignon, a unique experience that will allow you to discover the full appeal of one of the most beautiful areas in the south of France.

Built in the 14th century at the request of Pope John XXII, the monumental palace was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, and is considered one of the finest examples of international Gothic architecture. Throughout its history it has been used as a venue for the election of Popes Benedict XII, Clement VI, Innocent VI, Urban V, Gregory XI and Benedict XIII.

In 1305, the papal curia left Rome and moved to Avignon. The Palace was built in two phases and was one of the most expensive works of its time, consuming a large part of the papal revenues. It consists of the Palais Vieux (Old Palace) and Palais Neuf (New Palace). You can see the ancient walls that protected the city from attack.

Today, the Papal Palace has become the main attraction of the city; its halls, original furnishings, 14th century frescoes, chapels, courtyards and gardens are visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world.