We unpacked on the boat and immediately went on a tour of the Palace of the Popes.
The Palais des Papes is a historical palace located in Avignon, Southern France constructed in 1252. It is one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. Once a fortress and palace, the papal residence was the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century. Six papal conclaves were held in the Palais, leading to the elections of Benedict XII in 1334, Clement VI in 1342, Innocent VI in 1352, Urban V in 1362, Gregory XI in 1370 and Benedict XIII in 1394. Since 1995, the Palais des Papes has been classified, along with the historic center of Avignon, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for its outstanding architecture and historical importance for the Papacy.
Since many Popes held residency here and each had their personal army, many time this palace was ransacked and ruined as the Popes from other regions battled each other. Eventually the Huguenots, the Protestants, and the French Revolution destroyed the palace. Eventually Napoleon used it as a military barracks covering up all of the frescos and wall art, and eventually deterioration set in for hundreds of years. Since 1906 the palace has been under constant renovation.
Today the walled city houses about 16,000 people but it is mostly a tourist destination.
