Palais des Papes

Palais des Papes
View from the Tour Philippe-le-Bel
Location	Avignon, France
Coordinates	43°57′03″N 4°48′27″E / 43.9508°N 4.8075°E / 43.9508; 4.8075
Architectural style(s)	Gothic
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge
Type	Cultural
Criteria	i, ii, iv
Designated	1995 (19th session)
Reference no.	228
UNESCO region	Europe and North America

The Palais des Papes (English: Palace of the Popes; lo Palais dei Papas in Occitan) is a historical palace located in Avignon, Southern France. It is one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe.^[1] Once a fortress and palace, the papal residence was a 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.^[2]