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Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) today

France · Restored

Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon)

Fort Saint-André is a medieval fortress on Mount Andaon at Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, built in the first half of the 14th century to dominate the right bank of the Rhône. It consists of a long crenellated curtain wall and large cylindrical gate towers crowning a rocky plateau above the town.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1367

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1367

What Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) looked like in its prime.

Perched on a rocky 50 m high plateau, the fortress is a long, continuous pale limestone curtain wall with regular rectangular crenellations and a raised parapet walk. At one end a pair of massive cylindrical gate towers flank a high stone entrance arch topped by a carved crest. A large rounded tower terminates the circuit at the other end. The fort overlooks terracotta‑roofed village houses below and the floodplain of the Rhône.

Its story

The story of Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon).

Fort Saint-André was built in the first half of the 14th century on Mount Andaon at Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, to dominate the right bank of the Rhône. The background was dynastic: in 1290 the French king Philip IV had ceded his claim to Avignon to his father's cousin, Charles II of Naples, Count of Provence through his marriage to Beatrice of Provence.

The fortress consists of a long crenellated curtain wall crowning the rocky plateau above the town, entered between large cylindrical gate towers. It stands restored above Villeneuve-lès-Avignon today.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1367.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon), including 1 interior: abbey precinct at the eastern plateau. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the town belowMain gate and twin round towersCurtain wall parapet and battlementsTour Philippe-le-Bel (end tower)Abbey precinct at the eastern plateauParapet viewpoint over the Rhône

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Recreate Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1367, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon).

Palais des Papes, FrancePalacePalais des Papes2 km awayPont du Gard, FranceAncient sitePont du Gard21 km awayArles Amphitheatre, FranceStadiumArles Amphitheatre35 km away

Questions about Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon)

What is the history of Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon)?

Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) was built in stages during the 14th century to control the right bank of the Rhône. The French crown agreed with the Abbey of Saint-André in 1292 to build a fortress and maintain a permanent garrison. It later demonstrated royal power across the river and remained occupied by crown officers until the French Revolution.

What is inside Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon)?

Inside Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) are the entrance châtelet, the salle des herses and the salle du viguier. The salle des herses contained the hoisting machinery for the two portcullises, while the salle du viguier has royal arms on a vault keystone. The enclosure also contains the former Abbey of Saint-André and the 12th-century Chapel of Belvézet.

Why was Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) built?

Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) was built to defend the right bank of the Rhône and the approach to the bridge at Avignon. It also protected the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-André and the settlement on Mount Andaon. Its position and construction were intended to assert the power of the French crown against Avignon, the Empire and the papacy.

Where is Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon)?

Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) is in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, in the Gard département of southern France. It stands on Mount Andaon, above the town and the floodplain of the Rhône, opposite Avignon. The fortress is therefore close to Avignon but on the river’s right bank.

When was Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) built?

Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) was built in the 14th century, in several stages. The site record places its construction in the first half of that century, while the French-language account places the fort and abbey enclosure in the second half; the surviving manuscripts do not allow a precise date. The entrance crest is dated 20 July 1367.

What did Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) look like in its prime?

At its prime, Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) was a long, continuous pale limestone fortress on a rocky 50-metre-high plateau. Its curtain wall had regular rectangular crenellations and a raised parapet walk, with massive cylindrical twin gate towers at one end and a large rounded end tower at the other. The fort overlooked Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and the Rhône floodplain.

Is Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) still standing?

Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) is still standing and restored. Its long curtain wall, gate towers and other defensive works survive around the plateau, together with the former abbey precinct. The enclosure is 750 metres long and includes the high Tour des Masques, whose single room contains numerous graffiti made by soldiers and prisoners.

Can you visit Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon)?

Fort Saint-André (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) can be visited because it is regularly open to the public. The standing fortress is a medieval monument, with access described for the fort and its defensive enclosure. It is also protected as a classified historical monument, with designations recorded from 1903 onwards.

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