Musée du Petit Palais, Art museum in Avignon, France
The Musée du Petit Palais is an art museum housed in a former bishop's residence next to the Papal Palace, displaying works from late antiquity through the Renaissance. The building arranges paintings, sculptures, and other artworks in rooms organized around an inner cloister courtyard.
The palace was built in the early 1300s for a cardinal and later served as a military building during church conflicts. In the 1900s it was restored and converted into a museum to preserve the region's artistic collection.
The museum is named for its position as a smaller companion building to the Papal Palace, and its collections reflect the artistic tastes that developed during the papal years in Avignon. Visitors can see how Italian and French art traditions converged here and shaped local creative life during that era.
The rooms are easily accessible and the interior layout follows a logical cloister pattern that makes navigation straightforward. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since exploring the different wings and galleries involves considerable walking.
The collection holds artworks from the late Roman period that are rarely seen in other museums. These ancient pieces reveal a lesser-explored chapter of the region's artistic heritage that existed before the papal era.
Location: Avignon
Inception: 1976
Official opening: 1976
Opening Hours: Monday 10:00-13:00,14:00-18:00; Wednesday-Sunday 10:00-13:00,14:00-18:00
Phone: +33490864458
Website: http://petit-palais.org
GPS coordinates: 43.95275,4.80634
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41
Avignon in southeastern France offers photographers many historical subjects to capture. The Papal Palace displays medieval architecture with large stone walls and Gothic details. The Saint-Bénézet bridge crosses the Rhône river and stands as a recognizable landmark of the city. From Rocher des Doms, visitors see the entire old town and surrounding landscape. The old city is enclosed by ancient walls and contains many worthwhile places to photograph. Place du Palais is framed by historical buildings, while Rue des Teinturiers preserves old water wheels from earlier times. Several museums, churches, and theaters throughout the city offer photographic interest. The Île de la Barthelasse provides green spaces and a different perspective of the city. Nearby Avignon, other important locations await exploration. Pont du Gard is a remarkable Roman structure. Villeneuve-lès-Avignon across the river features Fort Saint-André and Tour Philippe-le-Bel. This region combines architecture from different periods and offers engaging scenes for photographers.
Avignon holds more than its most famous sights. This route moves through churches, monasteries, and gardens that often go unnoticed by passing travelers. The path begins at Chapelle Saint-Ruf, a Romanesque structure, and leads to Rocher des Doms, where views open across the Rhône. The Hôtel des Monnaies displays baroque design, while Musée du Petit Palais houses Italian Renaissance paintings. Rue des Teinturiers, with its old water wheels, speaks to the city's craft traditions. Collection Lambert shows contemporary art within its modern spaces. Other places like Synagogue d'Avignon, Île de la Barthelasse, and Les Halles reveal how people actually move through and use the city. The Palais du Roure keeps local stories alive. The Jardin des Carmes offers a quiet corner for rest. The chapels built by the Pénitents—both black and white—mark religious brotherhoods that shaped life here from medieval times through the 1700s. Across the river in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon stand Fort Saint-André, Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction, and Tour Philippe-le-Bel. This collection shows Avignon not as a single monument but as a living place where history, art, and daily routines have layered themselves over many centuries.
Pont Saint-Bénézet
167 m
Avignon city wall
62 m
Avignon Cathedral
152 m
Historic Centre of Avignon
19 m
Cour d'honneur du palais des papes
233 m
Monuments d'Avignon
13 m
Jardin des doms
110 m
Saint Martial's Chapel, Palace of Popes
232 m
Saint-Bénézet chapel
149 m
Hôtel des Monnaies
218 m
Petit Palais in Avignon
24 m
Chapelle Saint-Nicolas du pont Saint-Bénézet
164 m
Hôtel Calvet de la Palun
267 m
Maisons et tour de Mirault
195 m
Escaliers Sainte-Anne
194 m
Place du Palais
195 m
Avignon - Rue de la Grande Fusterie 29
229 m
Hôtel Jean de Sudre (Avignon)
105 m
Immeubles, 28-30-32-34-36-38-40-42-44-46-48-50-52 rue de la Balance
186 m
Golden pipe organ
152 m
Jardin des Doms war memorial
126 m
Maison, 15 place du Palais
174 m
17 - 19 Place du Palais
173 m
Maison, 21 place du Palais
121 m
Maison, 8 rue Pente-Rapide-d'Avignon
123 m
Maisons, 5-7 place du Palais
259 m
Immeuble, 26 rue de la Balance
202 m
Immeuble, rue de la Balance
225 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes