Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
On Gingerguide's self-guided Avignon audio tour, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon is a stop worth about ~90 min. Stand in front of it, press play for a short narrated story, and put any follow-up question to the built-in AI guide.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~90 min
- Avignon Avignon guide
About Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
Across the Rhone in the Gard, the cardinals' town facing Avignon, holding Fort Saint-Andre, the Tour Philippe le Bel and the Chartreuse founded by Pope Innocent VI in 1356.
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon sits on the western bank of the Rhone, directly opposite Avignon but in the Gard department of Occitania, a different department and region from the papal city. It grew from a royal foundation charter around 1293, and when French cardinals of the Avignon court built grand residences here in the 14th century it became known as the town of cardinals. From its heights, views open back across the river to Avignon's ramparts and palace.
Its landmarks are medieval. The Tour Philippe le Bel, built around 1300-1307, guarded the western bridgehead of the Pont Saint-Benezet. Fort Saint-Andre, a royal fortress on Mont Andaon enclosing an ancient Benedictine abbey, had its 750 metres of ramparts raised in the mid-14th century under King John II. The Chartreuse du Val de Benediction, a Carthusian monastery founded in 1356 by Pope Innocent VI and holding his tomb, is one of France's largest charterhouses and now serves as a cultural centre.
Did you know? Villeneuve-lès-Avignon lies across the Rhone from Avignon, in the Gard, a different department and region; French cardinals of the papal court built grand residences here, earning it the name 'town of cardinals'.
How much time do you need at Villeneuve-lès-Avignon?
Around ~90 min works well for Villeneuve-lès-Avignon — time to look properly and listen to its story on the spot. Linger if you like; nothing on a self-guided walk is on a clock.
Should you stop at Villeneuve-lès-Avignon?
Yes — Villeneuve-lès-Avignon made the cut as one of 13 places the Gingerguide team researched and narrated across Avignon. The story tells you why it is worth the stop, and the AI guide fills in anything you still wonder.
Nearby stops in Avignon
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and read more:
Day 2 of the Avignon in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
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