Fort Saint-André

The walk in Villeneuve-lez-Avignon

Sport, Pedestrian sports, Hiking itinerary in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
3.7 km
1h
Very easy

  • Explore the history of Villeneuve-lez-Avignon on our one-hour walking tour, starting at the majestic Tour Philippe Le Bel.

  • Stroll through narrow streets steeped in history, discover architectural treasures and immerse yourself in the charm of this multi-faceted city.
    A historical walk revealing the treasures of Villeneuve lez Avignon's heritage.

    Your exploration begins at the Tour Philippe le Bel, an imposing fortress erected by the eponymous king in 1292, offering spectacular panoramic views over Avignon.

    Then descend to the Hôtel des Monnaies, a vestige of Pope Clement VI's palace, which once occupied the...
    Stroll through narrow streets steeped in history, discover architectural treasures and immerse yourself in the charm of this multi-faceted city.
    A historical walk revealing the treasures of Villeneuve lez Avignon's heritage.

    Your exploration begins at the Tour Philippe le Bel, an imposing fortress erected by the eponymous king in 1292, offering spectacular panoramic views over Avignon.

    Then descend to the Hôtel des Monnaies, a vestige of Pope Clement VI's palace, which once occupied the hill overlooking the Rhône.

    Cross the Rue de la Monnaie, an ancient road linking Italy and Spain, to reach the Lacolline des Mourgues. This 7-hectare park, once the property of Clement VI's palace, offers breathtaking panoramic views.

    Continue your stroll along rue de l'Hôpital, where lively fairs contributed to Villeneuve's prosperity. Continue on to the collegiate church of Notre-Dame, built in 1327 by Cardinal Arnaud de Via to house his tomb.

    Cross the collegiate cloister to reach Rue de la République. Explore the Musée Pierre-de-Luxembourg, once the palace of Cardinal Annibal de Ceccano, before moving on to Place Jean Jaurès, dominated by the slate-covered tower of Cardinal du Pouget's palace. The Hôtel Calvet, built in 1664, bears witness to the architectural refinement of the period.

    Continue your stroll to discover the livrée de la Thurroye and the Pénitents Gris chapel, built in a wing of the 14th-century cardinal's palace.

    Walk around the Chartreuse via rue de l'Amelier, then climb up to Fort Saint-André via chemin des Chartreux. Fort Saint-André, built in 1362 to protect Saint-André Abbey and the town of Saint-André, offers exceptional panoramic views. Explore Saint-André Abbey, a 10th-century Benedictine cradle, with its Italian-style gardens awarded the "Jardins Remarquables" label.

    Continue on to the statue of St-Antoine and the Bourguet district, the founding nucleus of the "new town" established by Philippe le Bel in 1293.

    Continue down Rue du Grand Bourguet to Rue Marcel Fabrigoule, then turn left to Place Charles David. This historic square once housed the port of Villeneuve.

    Then explore the plaine de l'Abbaye, a listed site since 1975, created from the deposit of river alluvium and gradually brought under cultivation.
  • Departure
    Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
  • Plain text period
    All year round.
  • Environment
    • Town location
    • In the historic centre
  • Spoken languages
    • French
  • Documentation
    GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)
Points of interest
1 Philippe Le Bel tower
Keep of a fortress built by Philippe le Bel in 1292 at the entrance to the Pont d’Avignon.
2 Hôtel des Monnaies
Remains of the palace of Pope Clement VI, it occupied the entire hill overlooking the Rhône
3 Rue de la Monnaie
Ancient route from Italy to Spain.
4
7 hectare park which belonged to the palace of Clement VI. Panoramic view.
5 Rue de l'hôpital
Under its arcades were held the fairs which made Villeneuve prosperous.
6
Built in 1327 by Cardinal Arnaud de Via to house his tomb. Cross the cloister of the Collegiate Church to reach Rue de la République.
7 Pierre de Luxembourg museum
Former palace of Cardinal Annibal de Ceccano.
8 Place Jean Jaurès
Dominated by the slate-covered tower of the palace of Cardinal du Pouget.
9 Hôtel Calvet
Built in 1664.
10 Chapel of the Gray Penitents
Chapel of the Gray Penitents
11 La Chartreuse
National Center for Performing Arts. Go around the Chartreuse via rue de l’Amelier, then go up to the Fort via Chemin des Chartreux.
12 Fort Saint André
Built in 1362, at the same time as the ramparts of Avignon, to protect the Saint-André Abbey and the Bourg Saint-André.
13 Abbaye Saint André
The former Benedictine abbey from the 10th century is the birthplace of Villeneuve. Its Italian gardens are labeled Remarkable Gardens.
14 Quartier du Bourguet
Core of the “new town” founded by Philippe le Bel on March 12, 1293. Go down rue du Grand Bourguet to rue Marcel Fabrigoule then go left to Place Charles David.
15 Plaine de l'abbaye
On the current square, the port of Villeneuve was located. Born from the deposit of alluvium from the river and gradually put into cultivation, the Plaine de l’Abbaye has been a Classified Site since 1975.
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