Place du Palais des Papes and the Hôtel des Monnaies in Avignon

On Place du Palais des Papes, contrasting façades reveal different periods of Avignon’s history: the Gothic palace, the Baroque Hôtel des Monnaies and Notre-Dame des Doms above. The square is a starting point for exploring the neighbourhood on foot.

A square at the heart of historic Avignon

Place du Palais des Papes is dominated to the east by the Gothic palace walls. Opposite, the Hôtel des Monnaies displays its Baroque decoration. Above, the gilded Virgin of Notre-Dame des Doms and the Rocher des Doms form the neighbourhood’s skyline, while the Petit Palais closes the view to the north.

The square was created at the end of the Middle Ages, the buildings standing there were razed for military reasons when the antipope Benedict the 13th was besieged in the Palace. Later, the Pope's legates built the "chatelet", a defensive construction to protect the entrance of the Palace.

Hôtel des Monnaies - The Mint

The beautifully decorated baroque facade of the Hôtel des Monnaies contrasts with the austere walls of the Pope's Palace facing it. It was built in 1619 by the vice-legate. Eagles and dragons are the heraldic symbols of the family of the Cardinal of Borghese.

After serving various purposes, including as a music conservatory, the Hôtel des Monnaies was sold by the city in 2018 as part of a hotel project. The façade is the main feature of this exterior stop; it does not guarantee public access to the interior.

Things to see and do on the Place du Palais des Papes

• Visit the Palace of the Popes
• Petit Palais Museum
• Notre-Dame des Doms Cathedral
• Restaurants and cafés
• The Palais des Papes paid car park is beneath the square. It is accessible through the Porte du Rocher, from the boulevard along the Rhône : avignon-tourisme.com

Continue on foot from the square

Explore the Popes’ Palace, Notre-Dame des Doms or the streets behind the palace. Each interior has its own opening times and admission arrangements. The square itself is an outdoor public space; events may temporarily change circulation.