Villeneuve. She died in

Villeneuve. She died in the year 587 and in the 10 th century, Benedictine Monks built the Abbey of St André to shelter her bones and offer a place to stay to pilgrims on the route de Compostela. From the 13 th to the 15 th centuries, Villeneuve lez Avignon was a fortress town when the Rhone river was a natural frontier between France and Provence, though in the 14 th century, French Kings allowed the cardinals of Papal Avignon to build themselves sumptuous mansions there. Until around the 18 th century, Villeneuve was joined to Avignon via a bridge as the Rhone was closer to Villeneuve then, but after it was destroyed by a storm the river changed course. Villeneuve, once a mighty rival to Avignon, became a much sleepier place. © Mairie Villeneuve lez Avignon Villeneuve lez Avignon © Jérémie le Maout, Grand Avignon Destinations Secret France Villeneuve lez Avignon Across the river Rhône which flows past the ancient Papal city of Avignon in Provence, lies Villeneuve lez Avignon - a place that most visitors to its famous neighbour never discover. But I promise you the short journey to discover this little gem is well worth it says Janine Marsh. A little bit of history Villeneuve lez Avignon has a long and rich history. Legend has it that in the 1 st Century AD, Saint Martha, the Patron Saint of Avignon “resurrected” a shepherd from the town after he drowned in the Rhone (resurrections were rather more frequent in those days). Some 400 years later, another Saint settled in Villeneuve as the locals call it, a Visigoth princess-hermit who devoted her life to God on Puy Andaon, the hill that dominates What to see in and do in Villeneuve Villeneuve has a very different vibe from its tourist-packed neighbour Avignon across the river. A small town with a village vibe, the narrow, ancient streets are filled with magnificent old buildings, works of art, monuments, cafés, restaurants, boutiques and boulangeries. Must-sees include the soaring Philippe le Bel’s Tower, created in the 13 th century to control the entrance to the long-gone bridge - on a clear day you can see all the way to the Alpilles from here. The majestic 14 th century Abbaye Saint-André Fort perched above the town is a superb example of military buildings of the time; from here there are outstanding views of the hilly vineyards, Avignon and the Papal palace (at its most spectacular on a late afternoon on a sunny day) and as far as Mont Ventoux, the “Giant of Provence.” The terraced gardens of the former Abbaye Saint-André, spilling down the slopes of Puy Andaon are classified among the 100 most beautiful in France with Italian and Mediterranean style gardens with Fort Abbaye Saint-André © Jérémie le Maout, Grand Avignon Destinations ponds and gazebos, old roses, wisteria and Mediterranean plants, olive trees. A chapel in the grounds dating back 1000 years is where Saint Casarie is said to have died. Her funerary stone rested here until the French Revolution and is now exhibited in the Collegiate church of Notre-Dame, once the chapel of a mansion belonging to a cardinal. The Royal abbey (which was redesigned in the 17 th century) is elegant, has an eclectic collection ranging from art to dolls, and regularly hosts exhibitions. And don’t miss the café - great for brunch, a snack and the views (from April to September). 92 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 93