Avignon and the Palace of the Popes

These prestigious XIVth century buildings and estate cover almost 2 acres. They comprize the palace of Benedict XII and Clement VI and the Trouillas tower which is 52 m high. Both a fortress and a palace, Avignon allows to understand the religious, civilian and military organization of soldier-princes and artists of mediaeval Church. On the ground floor are found the cloister, the rooms of the Consistory, of the Grand Audience and the private chapel of Benedict XII. On the first floor, the gallery and rooms of the Conclave, the Clementine Chapel and apartments. Many legends refer to treasures buried here. At the bottom of the Saint-Jean tower, Benedict XII would have gathered more than 40 coffers filled with gold coins and dishes. Before fleeing Avignon, he would have hidden 12 solid gold statues of the Apostles in a secret room still to be discovered. The Palace of the Popes in Avignon is listed a World Heritage Site.

The Palace of the Popes in Avignon, France.

Image source:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Palais_des_papes.jpg

The Palace of the Popes, Avignon.

Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fa%C3%A7ade_du_Palais_des_Papes.jpg

The Palace of the Popes, Avignon.

Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Avignon,_Palais_des_Papes_depuis_Tour_Philippe_le_Bel_by_JM_Rosier.jpg

Saint-John’s Chapel, Palace of the Popes, Avignon.

Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Plafond_chapelle_Saint_Jean_par_JM_Rosier.jpg

The City of Carcassonne and the treasure of the Visigoths.

On the ruins of the old feudal city of the Counts of Toulouse (XIIth century) destroyed during the Albigensian Crusade, this amazing city was erected by Saint-Louis and Philip III the Bold in the XIIth and XIIIth centuries. Its two lines of ramparts and its castle are unique in mediaeval architecture. Crenellated curtains from 4.50 to 7 m high and 48 towers defend this stronghold. On the West front, the « Château Comtal » of the XIIth century is part of the inner enceinte. It is moated and a fortified gate isolate it from the city. It is protected by 9 towers crowned with overhanging watch turrets. The mediaeval city of Carcassonne entirely was restaured by Viollet-le-Duc in the XIXth century. The vista from the ramparts really is exceptional. The works made here did not enable to find the legendary treasure of the Visigoths that would be hidden in a well. The City is also listed a World Heritage Site.

The mediaeval City of Carcassonne by night.

Image source: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Carcasssonne_vieux_pont.jpg

City of Carcassonne, Porte d’Aude.

Image source: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:00_Carcassonne_-_Porte_de_l%27Aude_-_JPG1.jpg

City of Carcassonne.

Image source:

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Carcassonne_JPG01.jpg

The « Château Comtal », Carcassonne.

Image source: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Carcassonne(France)4.JL.jpg

Gisors and the treasure of the Knights Templars.

The fortress of the Dukes of Normandy dates back to the XIth and XIIth centuries. The 24 sides of its polygonal fence are supported by flat buttresses. The 28 m high keep looks down upon the Valley of Epte and the Vexin countryside. The Prisoner’s Tower has ribbed vaults and low-reliefs carved by the prisoners. A secret dungeon can be found in the inner courtyard. It is from this castle of Gisors that King Philippe Auguste decided to leave for the Holy Land.

In the ’50s, the caretaker of the place carried out clandestine excavations. He then asserted he had discovered an underground chapel housing the treasure of the Knights Templars, at the depth of 20 m. Upon order of the French Ministry of Culture everything was filled up and the secret was kept secret forever. The castle is listed a Historic Monument.

The Castle of Gisors, France.

Image source: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Chateau-de-Gisors.jpg