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Religious Sights in Provence

Discover and book the top Provence sights

Saint Vincent Church, Les Baux

Saint Vincent Church, Les Baux

Location
Les Baux-de-Provence

This is one of three churches in the old village of Les Baux and has been built partly into the rock face behind it.

La Synagogue, Carpentras

La Synagogue, Carpentras

Location
Carpentras

The synagogue of Carpentras is the oldest synagogue still in activity in France.

a grand palace in Avignon

Petit Palais museum

Location
Avignon

The Petit Palais museum owes its name to the familiar name of the Archbishops Palace in which it is installed, name that it was given by reference to the great neighbouring palace: the Palais des Papes.

Monastere de Saorge

Monastere de Saorge Monastery

Beautiful baroque architecture, examples of 17th- and 18th-century frescoes and furniture and a large terraced garden.

Saint-Jean-de-Malte Church

Saint-Jean-de-Malte Church

Location
Aix-en-Provence

This charming little church is located in the centre of Aix en Provence, alongside the Musee Granet.

photo of a fort towers in Avignon

Fort St Andre & Abbaye St Andre, Villeneuve les Avignon

Location
Avignon

The 14th century Fort St Andre was built by order of the King of France, Philippe le Bel as a mean to keep an eye on the papal city of Avignon. Perched on a hill, this impressive structure contains the ruins of the Abbaye St Andre.

Abbaye Notre Dame de Senanque, near Gordes

Abbaye Notre Dame de Senanque, near Gordes

Location
Gordes

This 12th century Cistercian monastery is an iconic scene of Provence. With fields of rows of lavender in an isolated valley leading to a beautifully solumn sanctuary, the Abbey Notre Dame de Senanque provides a glimpse back in time - if you can ignore the crowds of tourists that invariably will share the moment with you.

Apt Cathedral

Apt Cathedral

This cathedral, also known as Sainte Anne d'Apt, is believed to be built on the site where Saint Auspice was buried.

Sculpted entrance main door church Salon de Provence

Saint Michel Church

At the centre of the town's activity, the Church of Saint-Michel opens on to a square crossed by one of the main roads.

Baptistry, Venasque

Baptistry, Venasque

Once connected to the cathedral by a semicircular vaulted corridor, the baptistery is a beautiful building situated in the narrow streets of Venasque.

Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Graces, Cotignac

Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Graces, Cotignac

This chapel was originally built after a local woodsman saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary in the clouds above the site in 1519. The first stone for the building was laid a month after the vision.

Synagogue de Cavaillon

Synagogue de Cavaillon

Location
Cavaillon

The synagogue in Cavaillon is no longer used as a place of worship, but it's on many people's "must visit" lists if you're in the area, thanks to its ornate decoration and fascinating history.

the interior of a lavish church with lots of wooden chairs

La Collegiale Notre Dame des Anges, Isle sur la Sorgue

Location
L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

Originally built in 1222 this church was renovated and extended in the Italian Baroque style in the 17th century and was consecrated in 1672 by the Bishop of Cavaillon.

stone walls and a path leading to a fortress

Chartreuse du Val de Benediction, Villeneuve les Avignon

Location
Avignon

This Carthusian monastery heralds back to the 14th century when it was built for Pope Innocent VI. The monastery consisted of a church and three cloisters which made it the largest monastery in France.

An aerial shot of the restored abbey near menerbes provence

Abbaye de Sainte-Hilaire, Menerbes

The remarkable architecture and sympathetic restoration work make this one of the best Carmelite abbeys in the Vaucluse region and one that is less frequently visited by tourists.

a photo of a church and its spire

Abbaye du Thoronet

One of the famous Cistercian abbeys, the Abbaye du Thoronet was built in the late 12th century. This is a magical place, set in beautiful countryside of the Var. The abbey is wonderfully tranquil, surrounded as it is by woods and small streams.

Cathedrale Notre Dame du Puy, Grasse

Cathedrale Notre Dame du Puy, Grasse

Location
Grasse

The medieval church of Notre-Dame du Puy was raised to cathedral status in 1244, when the bishop transferred from Antibes to Grasse.

a photo of an entrance to an abbey

Abbaye de Montmajour, near Arles

The Montmajour abbey was founded in 948 by the Benedictines. It sits on a large rock and is surrounded by protected surrounding countryside.