Today we drove to Avignon, a city of about 100,000 people that lies 56 miles northwest of Aix. The main reason we went to Avignon was to see the Palace of the Popes. For nearly 100 years (1309-1403) Avignon was the capital of Christendom, home to seven popes. It started when a French pope was elected in 1309 and his holiness decided that dangerous Italy was no place for a pope. So he moved the whole operation to Avignon for a secure rule under a supportive French King and the popes resided there until 1403. Meanwhile Italians demanded a Roman pope, so from 1378 on there were twin popes – one in Rome and one in Avignon. We toured the Palace of the Popes and then we took a couple of Rick Steves’ walking tours.
The historian in the family liked the Palace of the Popes best while I much preferred the walking tours. This post will deal only with the Palace of the Popes and I’ll do a separate post on what we saw on the walking tours.
This is one side of the palace of the popes. It’s really massive. It was built in the 1300’s and looks it’s age.Here’s a side view of the palace. I love these purple trees that are blooming everywhere. I don’t remember where this ceiling was in the palace but I was really struck by it’s detail.This was the main inside courtyard, although there were also many smaller courtyards. Helps to show how big the place is.This interesting door was located in the inner courtyard.There were many holes in the outer walls in the courtyard and most of them were home to pigeons.Parts of the palace are in very bad condition. Originally, when the building became vacant, they wanted to tear it down but couldn’t afford to. In the meantime, it has housed soldiers in the war and served many other purposes.Big boards in French explained the room you were in and in a pocket in the front were smaller versions of the same board in other languages.When we entered the palace, we were given computer tablets on long ribbons to wear around our necks. They also included headphones, of course. When you entered a room, you held your tablet over one of these circles that they called a teleporter to the past. Then the tablet showed you what this room looked like in the 1300’s. You could walk around the room, do a 360 and see the whole room and even zoom in if you wanted to. We’ve never seen technology like this used in a museum setting before. Below are a couple of photos where you’ll be able to see the 2 views for comparison.
This is how this room looks today. It was part of the treasury
This is how the same room would have looked in the 14th century. See how the doors are the same.
Another pair of great doors. The palace was filled with extraordinary doors.More great doors.Amazing detail in this carving.
Here’s another photo comparing today’s view with the view in the 1300’s (see next photo).
You can see the windows are still the same.
I liked the way the sunlight came in through the windows. And all of the windows had window seats like these.In the kitchen looking up through the chimney hole.There were lots of openings in the palace which made for photogenic photographs.Here’s another photo through one of the openings, this one silhouetting the gilded statue at the top.
One more pair of comparison shots.
This one shows what the dining hall would have looked like in the 14th century.
This beautiful staircase which went up and turned into another flight was unusual inthe 14th century.When we got way up to the top, the view was amazing. These 2 towers were especialy striking.Surrounding area. The Rhone River runs around the city of Avignon.From here, another fortress can be seen in the distance.We went to a little cafe way up on top of the palace. The last little flight of stairs was so narrow and so steep that it couldn’t even have a hand rail. I don’t think OSHA would have approved.
I absolutely loved the first set of doors. One can only imagine their history. They looked old and tired, kind of like me most of the time!!! And I enjoyed the comparison pictures. It is fun to see how and where other people live and work and shop, etc… great blog!
Provence Journey 
I absolutely loved the first set of doors. One can only imagine their history. They looked old and tired, kind of like me most of the time!!! And I enjoyed the comparison pictures. It is fun to see how and where other people live and work and shop, etc… great blog!
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