Visite atelier « Histoire et architecture au Moyen Âge »

You will understand medieval construction techniques before experimenting with them in the workshop by building a vault.

Guided Tour
1. The installation of the popes in Avignon
A story of the arrival of Clement V, and then of the lasting establishment of the papacy. It sheds light on the political, religious, and economic issues that made Avignon a European capital in the Middle Ages.
2. The construction site of the Palace of the Popes
Presentation of one of the largest medieval construction sites in Europe. Discover the building trades, the materials used, the lifting techniques and the organization of a monumental construction site.
3. The principles of medieval architecture
Introduction to key elements: arches, vaults, buttresses, wall thickness, the role of stone and mortar. Analysis of some examples visible along the route.

Workshop: "Building a vault"
Workshop content
• Discovery of the different types of vaults (barrel, ribbed, pointed arch).
• Manipulation of simple modules to understand the distribution of forces.
• Construction of a small self-supporting vault.
• Explanation of the role of the keystone and the formwork.
Educational goals
• Understand the physical principles that allow an arch to hold.
• To experience the techniques and constraints of a medieval master mason.
• To promote cooperation and creativity within families.
• To give a concrete and playful dimension to architectural history.

Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours.
The workshop visit is not suitable for children under 8 years old.

IH: The Palace of the Popes is not accessible to people with reduced mobility due to a large number of steps.

€20 for one adult and one child, €10 extra for an additional child.
This price includes entrance to the Palace, the tour and the workshop.