Souvenir Medal Monnaie de Paris 2023 - Palais des Papes (84)

The Palace of the Popes in Avignon is an iconic medieval monument built in the 14th century to house the popes of the Catholic Church. It consists of two parts, one being a fortress and the other lavishly decorated. During this period, Avignon became the seat of the papacy, where six conclaves elected different popes. The palace is a remarkable example of medieval Gothic architecture and housed the largest library in Europe at the time. It also played a role in the development of music and culture. After the departure of the popes, the palace lost some of its prestige, but it remains an important witness to the history and culture of the region.