Special Events
at the Palace of the Popes

The Palace of the Popes is a historical monument historique which is open to the public for visiting. However, it is also the venue for many different activities throughout the entire year.

   
             
        Palace of the Popes open at night
Classical music concerts, out of the ordinary visits and diners: in August, the Palace is open every night!

. From the Bridge to the Palace: strolling at dusk
At dusk, discover the Saint Bénezet bridge and walk through the Garden of Doms to the Palace. You will admire exceptional panoramic points of view on the old city and the Rhone river.
You will penetrate in secrets rooms of the Palace of the Popes and have dinner in the heart of the pontifical residence. A visit of exception.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.

. Concerts in the Palace of the Popes

In parallel, the Palace of the Popes will propose classical music concerts three nights a week with the help of "Musique concertante", punctuated by interludes with Côtes du Rhône wines tastings, selected by the bouteillerie of the Palace of the Popes.
Wednesday, Friday, Sunday.

 
 
 
   

Summer art exhibitions
Since 1947 and the unforgettable exhibition devoted to Picasso in the Great Chapel at the Palace of the Popes, the tradition of displaying major, internationally-renowned art exhibitions has continued. Botero (1993), Dubuffet (1994), Picasso (1995), Rodin (1996), “Stories told in Tapestry” (1997), “Clock making Treasures” (1998), “Primitive Passion” (1999), “Beauty” (2000), Gao Xingjian (2001), and “Monument of History” (2002).

Concerts add to the pleasure of viewing the exhibition, and throughout the month of August, a night-time visit of the exhibit with classical music concerts are organized in conjunction with the association "Musique concertante", a marvellous way to discover Avignon’s cultural heritage.

 

 

"Monument de l'Histoire" dans la Grande Chapelle du palais des papes (été 2002)

       

 

"Palais secret"

An behind-the-scenes visit of the Palace of the Popes, as it has never been seen before. The guide tours with a small group of up to twenty, providing interesting details on the history and the daily life in the palace, with insights into the Popes’ lives and the construction of the Palace.
Enjoy a Provencal brunch with the visit, on the panoramic terraces in the Great Dignitaries’ wing.
Tel. 0033 (0)4 90 27 50 74

 

 
       

The Avignon Theater Festival
Every summer, the beautiful Honor Courtyard in the heart of the Palace of the Popes becomes center stage to major theatrical creations. For over 50 years now, the Honor Courtyard has served as an open-air theater for one month of the summer. The installation and removal of the bleachers and the stage has become an annual ritual requiring significant resources.

During the very first Festival in September 1947, the program featured both unknown works and contemporary plays.

Find out more about the Theater Festival by visiting:
http://www.festival-avignon.com