Place du Palais
On Gingerguide's self-guided Avignon audio tour, Place du Palais is a stop worth about ~30 min. Stand in front of it, press play for a short narrated story, and put any follow-up question to the built-in AI guide.
- Type square
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Avignon Avignon guide
About Place du Palais
The vast open forecourt below the Palais des Papes, ringed by the palace, the Petit Palais, the cathedral and the Baroque Hotel des Monnaies, and the usual first stop.
Place du Palais is the large open square directly in front of the Palais des Papes, at the heart of Avignon's historic centre. It is bordered by the palace, the Petit Palais at its north end, the cathedral Notre-Dame des Doms and the ornate Hotel des Monnaies. Opposite the palace entrance, the Hotel des Monnaies is regarded as the city's first Baroque monument, built about 1614 to 1621 and dated 1619, its facade linked to the papal legate's mint of the early 17th century.
The square was created by razing houses and winding streets, with ruins remaining on the site into the early 1600s. Today it serves as the forecourt and main gathering space for visitors entering the palace museum, and a tourist road-train departs from here on sightseeing loops. A freely accessible public space and a focal point during the summer festival season, it lies within the Historic Centre of Avignon inscribed by UNESCO in 1995.
Did you know? The Hotel des Monnaies is considered Avignon's first Baroque monument. Dated 1619, its architect is unknown, and its oversized carved ornaments are only attributed to a Florentine sculptor, Simone Bartolacci.
How much time do you need at Place du Palais?
Around ~30 min works well for Place du Palais — time to look properly and listen to its story on the spot. Linger if you like; nothing on a self-guided walk is on a clock.
Should you stop at Place du Palais?
Yes — Place du Palais made the cut as one of 13 places the Gingerguide team researched and narrated across Avignon. The story tells you why it is worth the stop, and the AI guide fills in anything you still wonder.
Nearby stops in Avignon
Day 1 of the Avignon in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Place du Palais
Preview the Avignon tour free in the Gingerguide app.