May 30: Palais des Papes
Just north of the Place de l'Horloge is the Palais des Papes — the Palace of the Popes — which was the papal residence during the 1300s when Avignon temporarily became the seat of the papacy, the city's primary (well-deserved!) historical claim to fame.
8405
Along with the Cathédrale to its north, the Palais presents an enormously imposing face on the Place du Palais.
8409
Across the way, the rustication of the old Hôtel des Monnaies (Mint), which later housed the Conservatoire until 2007.
8411
The conical supports of these towers are pretty magnifique. Also note the cruciform arrowslits. I wouldn't be surprised if their shape is directly connected to the papality of the Palais.
8412
A diversity of diagonals. The Palais is what they use to illustrate "stereotomic" in the dictionary.
8413
The Place du Palais is also pretty neat, with its irregular stepping layers. Not the most accessible square in the world.
8414
Mais oui, c'est le Mime du Palais!
8417
The Palais looks like it was carved out of cliffs.
8419
On the west side of the Place, a curious lean-to building peeks over a courtyard wall.
8421
A front view of the cathedral, Notre-Dame des Doms, with its lofty statue of Notre Dame herself atop the tower.
8424
Tout à coup, un bataillon de pigeons!
8426
This pigeon was doing a pretty good impression of Planet Mars.
8428
Feeding pigeons, watchful pigeon, perched pigeon, suitor pigeon.
8438
Up the stairs toward the cathedral, varying distances of statues.
8440
Zigzag pigeon.
8441
The north returning face of the Palais. A+ composition.