Avignon is a magical city, and the Palais des Papes in the old town magnifies its magic by 1000%. In the 14th century, a newly-elected Pope of French origin moved the entire papal government and church bureaucracy to Avignon. Construction began on the lavish new papal palace soon thereafter. Now mostly empty save for a few exhibits, the best way to explore this castle is with a complimentary VR tablet. These devices allow one to explore the massive dining halls, private residences, and holy spaces of the palace as it would have appeared when this Provençal town was the center of the Western world. #provence #palace #castle