Avignon. The Palace of the Popes

This swivel webcam is located in the city of Avignon, in south-east France. This city once was a political center of the country and a part of the Holy Roman Empire. The webcam captures view of the bridge over the Rhone and the famous Palace of the Popes, standing on an eminence.

The Papal palace today is one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic constructions in Europe. The Palace is made up of two part, built in the middle of the 14th century by the orders of two of the Avignon popes — the old Palace of Benedict XII and the new Palace of Clement VI. During the Avignon Papacy, seven successive popes resided in Avignon, while the city remained under the papal control even until the French Revolution. Later the palace was many times plundered and used as barracks and prison, and a significant part of its beautiful interior has been lost forever.

In the beginning of the 20th century, the Palace of the Popes was reconstructed. Today , along with being one of the most visited landmarks in France, it houses a large convention center and serves as a place for different exhibitions. In addition, the famous Avignon Festival is held in the in the courtyard of the palace every summer. The history of the Avignon Festival started in 1947, thus making it the oldest festival in the country.