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Origin and history

The Collège Notre-Dame de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon is an emblematic monument of the Southern Gothic, built in the 14th century in the Gard department, in the Occitanie region. It was erected at the initiative of Cardinal Arnaud de Via, nephew of Pope John XXII, who consecrated the building in 1333. This project is part of the installation of the Pontifical Court in Avignon, which boosted the urban development of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, attracting cardinals and ecclesiastical dignitaries.

The foundation of the college is based on an act of 7 August 1333, by which Arnaud de Via dotes the church of a chapter of twelve canons, as well as its palace, gardens and surrounding lands. Originally the private chapel of the cardinal, the building became a collegiate after his death in 1335, when the canons undertook major transformations: reorientation of the choir, construction of the cloister (1336), and addition of the bell tower (1362). These changes reflect the architectural and spiritual ambition of the founders.

Over the centuries, the collegiate church received notable additions, such as the chapel of the Holy Spirit in 1540 or the five-pointed vault of the canon choir, made by Jean-Baptiste Franque between 1746 and 1749. The French Revolution marks a turning point: the chapter is dissolved, and the church, once palatial, becomes parish in place of the Saint-Pons church. Ranked a historic monument in 1862, it has continued restorations, including a major campaign from 1992 to 2019.

The architecture of the college combines sobriety and decorative richness. Its unique nave, flanked by lateral chapels, illustrates the Provencal style, while the cloister, with ogival arcades, evokes the influence of contemporary Avignon palaces. The facades, rhythmic by foothills and pierced by Gothic portals, culminate with the bell tower-belfry, symbol of its medieval power. Inside, the chapels house remarkable works, such as the laying of Cardinal Arnaud de Via or a copy of La Pietà d'Enguerrand Quarton.

The heritage status of the college was strengthened by its early ranking in 1862, emphasizing its historical and artistic importance. Restorations, especially those of the 19th century (addition of mâchicoulis in 1877) and the 21st century, are aimed at preserving its integrity. Today, it remains an active place of worship and an exceptional testimony of Gothic art in Provence, linked to the turbulent history of the Papacy of Avignon.

Its history also reflects the political and religious upheavals of the region, from the wars of Religion to the Revolution. The sculptures damaged during these conflicts, like the scenes of Christ's life, recall the tensions that marked his past. Despite these trials, the college retains a central place in the Occitan heritage, attracting visitors and faithful by its spiritual and architectural heritage.

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