Musée du Petit Palais (Little Palace Museum), Avignon (must see)
The Little Palace Museum (Musée du Petit Palais), located in Avignon, is a remarkable museum and art gallery that opened its doors in 1976. Housed in a 14th-century building at the north side of the square dominated by the imposing Palace of the Popes (Palais des Papes), the museum showcases an exceptional collection of early Renaissance paintings and "primitives" from Italy, alongside works from the Avignon school. Much of the Italian collection originates from the famed Giampietro Campana collection, previously housed at the Louvre, while the Avignon pieces were deposited by the Calvet Museum. The Little Palace Museum was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Little Palace built between 1318 and 1320 for bishops under Cardinal Berengar Fredol the Elder, has a history linked to the Avignon Papacy. Purchased by Cardinal Arnaud de Via in 1323, it became the episcopal palace under Pope Benedict XII in 1335. In the late 15th century, Bishops Alain de Coëtivy and Giuliano della Rovere (later Pope Julius II) restored the palace, adding Italian Renaissance-style facades.
Over the centuries, the building's role evolved significantly. Initially a fortified citadel during the Western Schism, it fell into disrepair by the early 15th century. Restoration in the late 15th century shaped much of its current form, but it was again affected by nationalization during the French Revolution. In the 19th century, it became a Catholic secondary school, and later a technical school after the 1904 church-state separation. Declared a historic monument in 1910, it underwent major restoration starting in 1961 under architect Jean Sonnier.
Step into the world of Renaissance brilliance at the Little Palace Museum, where you'll encounter masterpieces by Botticelli and Vittore Carpaccio. The museum also boasts an impressive array of sculpted capitals from Avignon’s churches and an assortment of religious artworks, including altar screens. Botticelli's Madonna with Child is the highlight of the collection.
The Little Palace built between 1318 and 1320 for bishops under Cardinal Berengar Fredol the Elder, has a history linked to the Avignon Papacy. Purchased by Cardinal Arnaud de Via in 1323, it became the episcopal palace under Pope Benedict XII in 1335. In the late 15th century, Bishops Alain de Coëtivy and Giuliano della Rovere (later Pope Julius II) restored the palace, adding Italian Renaissance-style facades.
Over the centuries, the building's role evolved significantly. Initially a fortified citadel during the Western Schism, it fell into disrepair by the early 15th century. Restoration in the late 15th century shaped much of its current form, but it was again affected by nationalization during the French Revolution. In the 19th century, it became a Catholic secondary school, and later a technical school after the 1904 church-state separation. Declared a historic monument in 1910, it underwent major restoration starting in 1961 under architect Jean Sonnier.
Step into the world of Renaissance brilliance at the Little Palace Museum, where you'll encounter masterpieces by Botticelli and Vittore Carpaccio. The museum also boasts an impressive array of sculpted capitals from Avignon’s churches and an assortment of religious artworks, including altar screens. Botticelli's Madonna with Child is the highlight of the collection.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Avignon. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Musée du Petit Palais (Little Palace Museum) on Map
Sight Name: Musée du Petit Palais (Little Palace Museum)
Sight Location: Avignon, France (See walking tours in Avignon)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Avignon, France (See walking tours in Avignon)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Avignon, France
Create Your Own Walk in Avignon
Creating your own self-guided walk in Avignon is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Avignon's Architectural Jewels
Centuries of history in Avignon are well seen in the stones of some of France’s best preserved architectural monuments. The city's architecture may well not be as diverse as elsewhere in the country, but it is really difficult to find another place whose history is just as complicated and dynamic as Avignon's.
Being one of only two cities on earth that can claim to be the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Being one of only two cities on earth that can claim to be the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Avignon Introduction Walking Tour
The thing about a wall around a city is to keep unwanted visitors out. But the massive walls encircling Avignon tend to keep visitors in. And the visitors don't mind it. Is this a mystery? Not when one considers what is inside the walls of Avignon. And forget driving. Park the car and walk.
First encounter is the Popes' Palace. This awesome mountain of a palace was built in the 1300s.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
First encounter is the Popes' Palace. This awesome mountain of a palace was built in the 1300s.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles