Is the Popes Palace worth going to?

I have read on the forum that the Popes Palace is good if you like empty rooms. And a friend of ours said the same thing to us, couldn%26#39;t wait to get out of the building. What do other TA feel on this matter? Thanks

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We found the palace more interesting from the outside, but there are several rooms inside worth visiting. Don%26#39;t bother with a tour; that way you can scurry through without having to stop frequently.

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We found it surprisingly more interesting than we had thought we would. Take the self-guided audio tour which brings the barren rooms to life with details on their purpose and what happened there. It was well worth the hour or so we spent at the palace. The cathedral next door is also worth a visit.

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Thankyou for your opiniions, they are positive and encouraging. At this stage I think we shouldn%26#39;t rule it out until we get there, once we are in holiday mode.

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Don%26#39;t miss seeing the garden on the hill above the Palais des Papes and the adjacent church. It%26#39;s quite nice, and there%26#39;s a great view of the Rhône river and the bank on the far side.

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It is a really amazing building, and the history is fascinating. Dont miss it. Also visit Le Petit Palais, for more art packed rooms - it is just adjacent to the larger Palais des Papes.

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Try to read as much as possible about the history and come with a lot of imagination as despite the cavernous rooms having having lots pf display boards there is a huge amount of reconstruction.

That said, although we love anything historical, we felt was a huge let down.

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It is after all a centuries old papal palace with great historical importance, and which dominates the city of Avignon.

%26quot;It has 15,000 sq. metres of floor area, and both the exterior and the interior were lavishly decorated at the time of its construction. In all likelihood there was no more impressive building in the western world at the time of its completion.%26quot;

It was enough to impress us, but its obviously a very subjective thing!

Otherwise, make a detour to Windsor Castle, which is heated, carpeted, full of fine art, and artefacts, and inhabited, for that homely feel.

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