Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AROUND AVIGNON
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
POP 12,664
Across the Rhône from Avignon, compact Villeneuve-lès-Avignon has monuments to rival
Avignon's with none of the crowds. Meander cloisters of a medieval monastery, take in
hilltop views from Fort St-André, and lose yourself in spectacular gardens at Abbaye St-
André - reason enough to visit.
Sights
Note that the Avignon Passion discount pass is valid here.
Jardins de l'Abbaye
GARDEN
( 04 90 25 55 95;
www.abbaye-saint-andre.com
; Fort St-André; adult/child €5/
free; 10am-12.30pm & 2-6pm Tue-Sun)
Classed as one of France's top 100 gardens,
privately owned Jardins de l'Abbaye is built atop the vaults of a 10th-century abbey, within
the Fort St-André. Views of Avignon and the Rhône are spectacular. Pathways meander
through fragrant roses, iris-studded olive groves, wisteria-covered pergolas, and past the ru-
ins of three ancient churches.
Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction
( 04 90 15 24 24;
www.chartreuse.org
; 58 rue de la République; adult/child €7.70/free;
9.30am-6.30pm)
Shaded from summer's heat, the three cloisters, 24 cells, church,
chapels and nook-and-cranny gardens of the Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction make up
France's biggest Carthusian monastery, founded 1352 by Pope Innocent VI, who was bur-
ied here 10 years later in an elaborate mausoleum. Today La Chartreuse is a retreat for
playwrights on residencies.
MONASTERY
Fort St-André
( 04 90 25 45 35; adult/child €5.50/free; 10am-12.30pm & 2-6pm)
King Philip the
Fair (aka Philippe le Bel) wasn't messing around when he built this defensive 14th-century
FORT
