Skip to main content

Religious Sights in Provence

Discover and book the top Provence sights

Visit website Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Graces, Cotignac

Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Graces, Cotignac

A small hilltop chapel & sanctuary on the outskirts of 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.

Read more about Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Graces, Cotignac

Visit website a grand palace in Avignon

Petit Palais museum

Collections of ecclesiastical art from Medieval times to the early Renaissance

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.

Read more about Petit Palais museum

Visit website Monastere de Saorge

Monastere de Saorge Monastery

Former Franciscan convent in the mountains above Menton

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

Read more about Monastere de Saorge Monastery

Visit website La Synagogue, Carpentras

La Synagogue, Carpentras

The oldest synagogue in France, still in use today

Location
Carpentras

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

Read more about La Synagogue, Carpentras

St Pancras Chapel, Digne-les-Bains St Pancras Chapel, Digne-les-Bains

St Pancras Chapel, Digne-les-Bains

Small hilltop chapel with great views from the top

St. Pancras chapel was restored by a local team of volunterrs. It overlooks the town of Digne les Bains and offers a panoramic view of the various surrounding peaks.

Read more about St Pancras Chapel, Digne-les-Bains

Cathedrale Notre Dame et St-Castor, Nimes Cathedrale Notre Dame et St-Castor, Nimes

Cathedrale Notre Dame et St-Castor, Nimes

Nimes cathedral

This large cathedral was originally built in 1096 and has undergone many additions and modifications over the centuries.

Read more about Cathedrale Notre Dame et St-Castor, Nimes

Saint Veran / Sainte Marie Church, Fontaine de Vaucluse Notre Dame Saint Veran/ Sainte Marie Church, Fontaine de Vaucluse

Saint Veran / Sainte Marie Church, Fontaine de Vaucluse

A very austere church in the Romanesque style

This old Romanesque style church dates back to the 10th century and was modified in the 12th century. Its austere exterior matches very plain interior decor, very typical to the Romanesque style of the old ages.

Read more about Saint Veran / Sainte Marie Church, Fontaine de Vaucluse

Visit website Saint Vincent Church, Les Baux

Saint Vincent Church, Les Baux

A 12th century church partly built into the rocks behind it

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.

Read more about Saint Vincent Church, Les Baux

Visit website photo of a cathedral

Cathedral Notre Dame des Doms

Romanesque Catholic cathedral

Location
Avignon

With the arrival of French pope Clement V, Avignon was transformed into a religious and artistic centre. The grand Notre Dame cathedral has existed since the twelfth century, but the current building has been subjected to a number of alterations. The eye-catching gold statue of the Virgin Lady on the top of the tower is six metres in height and weighs 4,500 pounds.

Read more about Cathedral Notre Dame des Doms

La Collegiale Notre Dame des Anges, Isle sur la Sorgue the interior of a lavish church with lots of wooden chairs

La Collegiale Notre Dame des Anges, Isle sur la Sorgue

A church with a harsh exterior but a lavish & decorative interior

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.

Read more about La Collegiale Notre Dame des Anges, Isle sur la Sorgue

Visit website photo of ruined abbey

Abbaye St Roman, Beaucaire

Ruined abbey dating back to the 5th century

The St Roman Abbey dates back to the 5th century, built by hermits and monks. It is cleverly ucarved into the surrounding rocks and cavities and you can wander around the chapel and ancient monk cells. It's heyday was in the 14th century when it was fortified and used as a college.

Read more about Abbaye St Roman, Beaucaire

Visit website photo of a historic building

Palais des Papes

Awe-inspiring palace of the Popes

Location
Avignon

This magnificent building was built for Pope Benedict III in 1335 as a residence and a 'grand project'. It's the largest Gothic palace in the world (at 15,000 square metres) and is in the top ten most visited monuments in France (over 650,000 visitors per year).

Read more about Palais des Papes

Visit website the rear exterior wall of the basilica provence

Basilica Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, St Maximin la St Baume

Large Gothic church housing the relics of St Mary Magdalene

The building of the church and the adjacent convent began in 1295. It is now the only large Gothic church in Provence.

Read more about Basilica Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, St Maximin la St Baume

Synagogue de Cavaillon Synagogue de Cavaillon

Synagogue de Cavaillon

The oldest synagogue in France with its own museum

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.

Read more about Synagogue de Cavaillon

Visit website a photo of a church and its spire

Abbaye du Thoronet

Magical Cistercian abbey situated in glorious countryside

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.

Read more about Abbaye du Thoronet

Cavaillon Cathedral a large cathedral in provence

Cavaillon Cathedral

A 12th century building with elaborately decorated interior

Location
Cavaillon

From the outside you can't really tell what a beautiful cathedral this is, rich with carvings, gold leaf and painted walls, ceilings and archways.

Read more about Cavaillon Cathedral

Les Alyscamps Les Alyscamps, Arles

Les Alyscamps

An ancient cemetery & Medieval church with tombs from the Roman & medieval eras

Graves, mausoleums and sarcophagi at this site date back to the beginning of the Roman empire, but it wasn't until the early Christian period that there was a large flurry of activity here.

Read more about Les Alyscamps

Saint-Jean-de-Malte Church Saint-Jean-de-Malte Church

Saint-Jean-de-Malte Church

Pretty little Gothic church next to the Musee Granet

Location
Aix-en-Provence

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

Read more about Saint-Jean-de-Malte Church

Loading...