Villeneuve-lès-Avignon

Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (French pronunciation: [vil'nœv lez‿avi'ɲɔ̃]; Provençal: Vilanòva d’Avinhon) is a commune in the Gard department in southern France. It can also be spelled Villeneuve-lez-Avignon.

History

In the 6th century the Benedictine abbey of St André was founded on Mount Andaon, and the village which grew up round it took its name. The city itself was founded by Philippe le Bel and boasts a castle he built, Fort Saint-André.

The town was also the resort of the French cardinals during the sojourn of the popes at Avignon, in the 14th century.

Geography

It is located on the right (western) bank of the river Rhône, opposite Avignon.

Population

Sights

• Fort Saint-André, on a hill outside the town
• Tour Philippe Le Bel, 14th century
• The church of Notre Dame, dating from the 14th century, contains a rich marble altar and significant pictures.
• Carthusian monastery Notre-Dame-du-Val-de-Bénédiction, founded in 1356 by Pope Innocent VI

International relations

Villeneuve-lès-Avignon is twinned with:

• Rheinbach, Germany
• Gytheio, Greece
• San Miniato, Italy

Gallery

See also

• Communes of the Gard department
• Pont d'Avignon

References

Further reading

• Fabrié, Marie-Luce (2000). "La collégiale Notre-Dame de Villeneuve-lez-Avignon". Congrès archéologique de France - Monuments du Gard, 157e session 1999 (in French). Paris: Société française d'archéologie. pp. 455–465.
• Labande, M. L.-H. (1910). "Villeneuve-lez-Avignon". Congrès archéologique de France, 76e session, 1909, Avignon. Volume 1 Guide du Congrès (in French). Paris: Picard. pp. 129–130.
• Labande, M. L.-H. (1910). "La Collégiale de Notre-Dame". Congrès archéologique de France, 76e session, 1909, Avignon. Volume 1 Guide du Congrès (in French). Paris: Picard. pp. 141–144.
• Labande, M. L.-H. (1910). "La Chartreuse". Congrès archéologique de France, 76e session, 1909, Avignon. Volume 1 Guide du Congrès (in French). Paris: Picard. pp. 144–158.

External links

• City council and Tourist office website
• non official website citeroyale.com
• Pictures Gallery