19September2026
Visite libre de la collégiale Notre-Dame et son cloître
Place Meissonnier 30400 Villeneuve-lez-Avignon
Cardinal Arnaud de Via founded a chapter of canons in his residence, to which he bequeathed his possessions in 1336, along with his chapel, which later became the collegiate church of Notre-Dame. In 1350, the canons built the cloister and the bell tower.
Cardinal Arnaud de Via, nephew of Pope John XXII, founded a chapter of twelve canons in his monastery, to which he bequeathed his possessions in 1336. They enlarged his chapel, which became the collegiate church of Notre-Dame. In 1350, the canons built the cloister adjoining the church, as well as the bell tower. The cloister, built to the north, provided access to the other monastery buildings. In 1792, the collegiate church became the parish church, replacing the church of Saint-Pons. This church, in the Southern Gothic style, houses numerous works of art, including a copy of the famous Pietà, the original of which is kept in the Louvre Museum. The Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame and its cloister were listed as Historical Monuments in 1862.