Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge
Cultural
228
1995
Cultural
Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage cultural, inscribed in 1995 (WHS 228).
Criteria & Perimeter
Inscription criteria
(i)(ii)(iv)
Category
Cultural
Summary
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.
Monuments in the Zone
Selection of protected monuments
- Maison du 16e siècle près de l'église — Bois-de-Céné
- Château de Bellefille — Chemiré-le-Gaudin
- Ancien prieuré Saint-Pierre de Vontes — Esvres
- Château du Maurier de La Fontaine-Saint-Martin — La Fontaine-Saint-Martin
- Eglise de Pirmil — Pirmil
- Hôtel Desmazières de Beaulieu-sur-Layon — Beaulieu-sur-Layon
- Eglise Saint-Baumer de Bauzy — Bauzy
- Eglise Notre-Dame de Puiseaux — Puiseaux
- Fontaine Saint-Martin — Laval
- Manoir de la Miltière — Montlouis-sur-Loire
- Chapelle seigneuriale de Favières — Brecé
- Pont sur l'Huisne de Montfort-le-Gesnois — Montfort-le-Gesnois
- Eglise Saint-Hilaire de Saint-Hilaire-de-Loulay — Saint-Hilaire-de-Loulay
- Immeuble de Châteaudun — Châteaudun
- Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Murier — Batz-sur-Mer
Appellations of the Landscape
Most-reviewed 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 |
Data source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre (data.culture.gouv.fr). Last updated: April 14, 2026.