Avignon Cathedral 
View of Avignon Cathedral from the Palais des Papes.
View from west with a tower of the Palais des Papes.
West facade and porch of Notre-Dome-des-Doms.
Interior looking east.
Romanesque vault and interior of the 1425 cupola.
Tomb of Pope Benedict XII (d.1342).
Next to the Palais des Papes in Avignon is the 12th-century Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms.
History
The cathedral was first built in a pure Provençal Romanesque style in the 12th century but was soon dwarfed by the extravagant palace that rose beside it.
An attempt to remedy this was made in the 14th century with the addition of a cupola, which promptly collapsed. Rebuilt in 1425, it is a Byzantine-like marvel of stacked arches.
Baroque galleries were added in the 17th century and crowning the top of the cathedral is a huge gilded Virgin Mary lantern from the 19th century, whose glow can be seen for miles around.
What to See
Inside, the cathedral contains the Flamboyant Gothic tombs of some of the Avignon popes. Like most of Avignon's churches, the cathedral was sacked during the Revolution.
From the cathedral, enter the promenade du Rocher-des-Doms to stroll through its garden and enjoy the view across the Rhône to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Avignon Cathedral; Cathédrale Notre Dame-des-Doms |
| Location: | Avignon, Provence, France |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Category: | Cathedrals; World Heritage Sites |
| Status: | active |
| Architecture: | Romanesque |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 43.951451° N, 4.807827° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Address: | Place du Palais, Avignon, France |
| Phone: | 04-90-86-81-01 |
| Hours: | daily 9am-noon and 2-6pm |
| Cost: | Free |
| Photography: | Permitted |
Travel Resources
- Avignon Map - our detailed interactive map of Avignon, plus hand-picked links to more
- Avignon Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Avignon Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in Avignon
- Avignon Car Rentals - enjoy more travel freedom by picking up a car in Avignon
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Avignon Cathedral. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Avignon Map.
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Personal visits (2000 and June 18, 2008).
- Official Site of the Palais des Papes (French, English and Italian)
- Frommer's Provence & the Riviera, 5th Edition
- Historic Centre of Avignon - UNESCO World Heritage
Last updated on December 11, 2009.
