Palais des Papes, Avignon

The largest Gothic palace in the world, built in the 14th century when the popes lived in Avignon instead of Rome. The vast, fortified palace towers over the old town, and inside you can visit the great halls, chapels, frescoed private rooms and terraces with views over the Rhône. A tablet (the 'HistoPad') shows how the rooms looked when they were furnished.

Avignon's medieval old town, inside its ramparts, is lovely to wander, and in July the town hosts one of the world's biggest theatre festivals. A combined ticket includes the Pont d'Avignon.