The last stop on our Amawaterways river cruise on the Rhone River was Avignon.
Our walking tour included the Popes’ Palace, which was built in the 14th century and was the home to Popes for more than 60 years.
The Palace is massive (160,000 square feet), and parts of it are now being used for art exhibits and as offices. An exhibit of the photographs of Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado, called Amazonia, was on display when I visited the Palace.
As I was looking for details about the Popes’ Palace, I came across this entry on a blog called Eurotravelogue which has wonderful pictures and much more information.
Madeline Bialecki 
Nice Pics, Madeline. It’s hard to believe that popes lived in such luxury. Sad. Miche
I find the history of the Church’s power interesting. I try not to judge by today’s standards (although the Vatican is quite grand)–and try to think of things as they once were.