Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
Villeneuve- lès -Avignon (alternative spelling: Villeneuve- lez -Avignon; Occitan Vilanova d' Avinhon ) is a municipality in the department of Gard, Languedoc-Roussillon region, with 12,266 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011). It is located across from Avignon on the right bank of the Rhone.
History
In the 5th century an abbey dedicated to St. Andrew was established which developed a monastic settlement in the course of time, at the foot of Mont Andaon.
As a founding date of the city is the year 1292, when Philip the Fair with the abbey closed a contract which provided for the establishment of a fortress and a tower across from Avignon to protect the abbey at the former border of the kingdom. The surrounding settlement was first called Villeneuve de Saint -André près Avignon and enjoyed numerous privileges.
During the residence of the Popes in Avignon this and Cardinals built beautiful palaces that still dominate the skyline. Even after the return of the popes to Rome was able to maintain a degree of prosperity thanks to the privilege and the presence of rich monasteries.
During the French Revolution Villeneuve was cantonal capital. In the 19th century, the city preferred place of residence for wealthy citizens of Avignon, which had a nice view of their city from here was. This has remained so.
Attractions
- Chartreuse Notre- Dame-du -val- de - Bénédiction
- Fort Saint -André
- Tour Philippe Le Bel
Partnerships
Villeneuve- lès -Avignon is connected through partnerships with
- Rhine river (Rhein- Sieg-Kreis ) in Germany since 1960
- Peniscola in the Valencia region of Spain since 1972
- San Miniato in Tuscany in Italy since 1992
- Gythio in the Peloponnese in Greece since 1997