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Religious Sights in Provence

Discover and book the top Provence sights

the rear exterior wall of the basilica provence

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

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

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.

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.

Les Alyscamps, Arles

Les Alyscamps

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.

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

Saint Veran / Sainte Marie Church, Fontaine de Vaucluse

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.

Church with mountain backdrop in Sisterons

Cathedral Notre Dame des Pommiers, Sisteron

A Roman Catholic church that was once a catherdral and is now a national monument in France.

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.

La Chartreuse de la Verne, Collobrieres

La Chartreuse de la Verne, Collobrieres

Location
Collobrieres

Located in Collobireres, the old Carthusian monastery of Our Lady of La Verne is close in distance from the major tourist towns.

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 large cathedral in provence

Cavaillon Cathedral

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.

photo of a historic building

Palais des Papes

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).

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.

Cathedrale Notre Dame et St-Castor, Nimes

Cathedrale Notre Dame et St-Castor, Nimes

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

the exterior of Chapelle Notre Dame des Vignes

Chapelle Notre Dame des Vignes, Visan

The present building is from the 18th century, however there has been a structure here from as early as the 13th century.

photo of a cathedral

Cathedral Notre Dame des Doms

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.

photo of ruined abbey

Abbaye St Roman, Beaucaire

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.