UNESCO World Heritage · 1995
Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge
Cultural
WHS ID
228
Inscribed
1995
Category
Cultural
Description
In the 14th century, this city in the South of France was the seat of the papacy. The Palais des Papes, an austere-looking fortress lavishly decorated by Simone Martini and Matteo Giovanetti, dominates the city, the surrounding ramparts and the remains of a 12th-century bridge over the Rhone. Beneath this outstanding example of Gothic architecture, the Petit Palais and the Romanesque Cathedral of Notre-Dame-des-Doms complete an exceptional group of monuments that testify to the leading role played by Avignon in 14th-century Christian Europe.
Inscription details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| WHS ID | 228 |
| Inscribed | 1995 |
| Category | Cultural |
| Criteria | (i)(ii)(iv) |
| State party | France |
| Transboundary | No |
| French name | Centre historique d’Avignon : Palais des papes, ensemble épiscopal et Pont d’Avignon |
Protected monuments
| Monument | Commune | Protected |
|---|---|---|
| Hôtel du 16e siècle de Montrésor | Montrésor | 1962 |
| Manoir de la Hamelinière | Champtoceaux | 1968 |
| Hôtel Joyeuse de Amboise | Amboise | 1941 |
| Maison à pans de bois | Brou | 1972 |
| Maison du 15e siècle de Issoudun | Issoudun | 1967 |
| Auberge de Notre-Dame | La Châtre | 1925 |
| Eglise paroissiale Notre-Dame | Cossé-en-Champagne | 1992 |
| Eglise Saint-Hugues de Avord | Avord | 1911 |
| Eglise Saint-Médard de Brévainville | Brévainville | 1948 |
| Maison de Chartres | Chartres | 1927 |
| Menhir du Quarteron de la Riveraie | Saint-Père-en-Retz | 1984 |
| Eglise paroissiale Saint-Michel | Souvigné | 1926 |
| Château de la Garde-Giron | Prissac | 1989 |
| Remparts de Sainte-Suzanne | Sainte-Suzanne | 1862 |
| Immeuble de Châteaudun | Châteaudun | 1953 |
Loire appellations
| Appellation | Avg score | Reviews | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sancerre | 89.3 | 554 | White |
| Muscadet Sèvre et Maine | 88.6 | 237 | White |
| Pouilly-Fumé | 89.6 | 153 | White |
| Vouvray | 88.4 | 153 | White |
| Touraine | 86.3 | 85 | White |
| Chinon | 88.7 | 72 | Red |
| Menetou-Salon | 87.3 | 69 | White |
| Crémant de Loire | 87.5 | 54 | Sparkling |
| Val de Loire | 85.6 | 41 | White |
| Saumur | 88.4 | 40 | White |
| Anjou | 87.6 | 36 | White |
| Rosé d'Anjou | 84 | 35 | Rosé |
Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Updated: April 14, 2026.