Villeneuve-lès-Avignon shares its treasures, with the Saint-André Fort & Abbey, plus Le Prieuré Baumanière hotel restaurant

Just across the Rhône river Valley, from bustling Avignon, Villeneuve-Lès-Avignon unveils a quieter but equally fascinating side of Provençal heritage. Three landmarks stand out as unmissable must-sees, such as the Fort Saint-André, the Abbaye Saint-André and the Musée Pierre De Luxembourg. Together, they form an exceptional journey through medieval power, spiritual memory and artistic brilliance. By AP

In Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, perched on a hill overlooking the Rhône River, the Fort Saint-André stands as a silent witness to the medieval power struggle between two giants, the papacy settled in Avignon and the French monarchy. Built in the 14th century under Philip the Fair and later John the Good, this national monument impresses with its majestic ramparts, twin towers, and its walkway offering endless views. From the top of its walls, your gaze sweeps across the entire valley, where the Mont Ventoux, the Alpilles, Avignon, and its Palace of the Popes (photo credits: AP).

But beyond this postcard-worthy scenery, the fort holds a unique atmosphere, where you can explore the Romanesque chapel of Notre-Dame de Belvezet, the mysterious Tower of the Masks, and the gardens of the Benedictine abbey. Today, the site comes alive with guided tours, summer night visits, and cultural events that breathe life back into this once-defensive stronghold. More than a defensive bastion, the fort also protected the Saint-André village and the adjoining Benedictine abbey. Today, it offers a visit that is as much a historical immersion as a landscape discovery.

From the rampart walkway, you’ll enjoy an unparalleled panoramic view, overlooking the Mont Ventoux, the Alpilles, the Rhône Valley, and directly across, the City of the Popes and its monumental palace. Inside, the path leads to the Romanesque chapel of Notre-Dame de Belvezet, the enigmatic Tower of the Masks, and the abbey’s lush gardens, a serene setting perfect for contemplation. Now a listed national monument, the fort also hosts cultural programs and nighttime visits in summer, bringing its ancient stones to life once again. Open year-round, the fort can also be visited with an annual pass, with access to other treasures in Villeneuve, including the Chartreuse, the Philippe-le-Bel Tower, and the Pierre de Luxembourg Museum, for a scenic view, through French history.

Fort Saint-André, 58 Rue MNT du Fort, 30400 Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (France) / Phone: 00 33 (0)4 90 25 45 35. More details on their official website. 

Just in front and still in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, the Saint-André Abbey rises from the summit of Mount Andaon, in a timeless dialogue across the Rhône River with the Palace of the Popes. Founded in the 10th century by Benedictine monks on the site of the hermit Saint Casaria, it became one of the most powerful spiritual centers in southern France, with influence over more than 200 priories. Rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries by architect Pierre Mignard, the abbey reached its peak, before being partially dismantled after the French Revolution. 

Today, this listed Historic Monument attracts visitors for its “Remarkable Garden” label. Spanning nearly two hectares, the gardens blend Italian-style formality, with ponds, symmetrical flowerbeds, and flowering pergolas—with a freer Mediterranean landscape filled with centuries-old olive trees. From the terraces, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of Mont Ventoux, the Luberon, the Alpilles, and, below, Avignon. The tour also leads to the Chapel of Saint Casaria and a medieval necropolis with paleo-Christian sarcophagi.

In 2025, the abbey even adds an artistic dimension with a major exhibition, dedicated to Gustave Fayet (1865–1925), a painter and visionary collector of Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Matisse. Therefore, Gustave Fayet turned this Saint-André domain into a major source of inspiration. Over 100 artworks, including drawings, watercolors, and paintings, revealing the artistic perspective of this collector all over Provence. Blending spiritual memory, artistic creativity, and a certain natural beauty, the Saint-André Abbey remains an exceptional heritage site and a must-see stop in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.

Saint-André Abbey, fort St André, 30400 Villeneuve Lès Avignon (France) / Phone: 00 33 (0)4 90 25 55 95. More details on their official website.

Discreet yet essential, the Pierre de Luxembourg Museum is as well tucked in the heart of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, housed in a 17th-century mansion, once the palace of Cardinal Ceccano. This listed building tells the story of the town’s religious and artistic legacy. One of the masterpieces resides in the Coronation of the Virgin, painted in 1453 by Enguerrand Quarton, is considered one of the greatest artworks of occidental medieval art. Alongside it, the rare and delicate Virgin in Ivory, dating from the 14th century, sculpted in Paris, showcases the finesse of Gothic craftsmanship.

The museum’s collections, notably enriched by various artworks, from the Charterhouse of the Val de Bénédiction and Saint-André Abbey, offer an impressive survey of religious painting from the 16th to the 18th centuries. For example, you could admire various illustrious artists, such as Simon de Châlons, Nicolas Mignard, Philippe de Champaigne, and Reynaud Levieux evoke the spirituality and splendor of their era.

Pierre de Luxembourg Museum, 3 rue de la République, 30400 Villeneuve-Lès-Avignon (France) / Phone : 00 33 (0)4 90 27 49 66. More details on their official website.   

Still in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, nearby the vaults of the Collégiale Notre-Dame, facing the ramparts of Avignon, the Le Prieuré Baumanière hotel masterfully blends heritage and modernity. A haven of serenity nestled in a shaded garden, the property captivates with its timeless elegance and the creativity of its cuisine. At the helm, Chef Christophe Chiavola, recently awarded a Michelin star, presents an outdoor noon culinary journey that celebrates sharing and instinct, inspired by the warm, primal spirit of the brasero way of cooking. Here, any lunch is conceived as a convivial experience.

Here, a certain philosophy is clear from the starters, initiated with some delicious chilled watermelon, elevated with feta, arugula, and sauce vierge, siting alongside a tuna tartare, scented with sesame, coriander, and ponzu, brightened by a hint of citrus zest. Even more Mediterranean, a creamy tzatziki is served with grilled prawns, crisp cucumber, and soft focaccia. Then, summer continues with refreshing true elegance, through a fennel-celery duo topped with bottarga and a zingy salsa verde, or flambadou-seared oysters, paired with Iberian ham and golden croutons.

Then comes the main event, an open-fire cooking, in collaboration with Ofyr and The Bastard, where flames elevate each ingredient into a feast. For instance, octopus is seared in a chorizo-orange juice, while a cut of Iberian pork reveals all its succulence. Sharing dishes embody the art of generosity, starring honey-roasted eggplant with parmesan, ratte potatoes with herbal condiments, or seasonal vegetables, flavored with bergamot. To end this summer journey, desserts also embrace freshness and lightness. A peach soup with herbs and olive oil filled ice cream rivals an apricot served both roasted and as a sorbet, enhanced with a buckwheat crumble. For the true sweet tooth, a coconut-chocolate choux brings an elegant and intense finale.

Le Prieuré Baumanière, 7 place Chapitre, 30400 Villeneuve Lès Avignon (France) / Phone: 00 33 (0)4 90 15 90 15. More details on their official website.