Notre-Dame d'Aiguebelle Abbey

Notre-Dame d'Aiguebelle Abbey is a Cistercian abbey founded in 1137. The abbey reached its peak in the 12th and 13th centuries, then declined with the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453). The abbey was heavily restored during the 19th century but has retained, despite some demolitions, most of the buildings of the medieval convent. The abbey is now known to be the site of production of a brandy, made according to an ancient craft recipe developed by Cistercian monks.

About this building

Key Features

  • Architecture
  • Monuments

Other nearby buildings

Church of Saint-Vincent

From the ecclesiastical point of view, the village is a foundation (before the 10th century) of the church of Viviers on the former Gallo-Roman estate. Saint-Vincent was the seat of a barony with jurisdiction over the surrounding parishes. In 1020 (?) the canons of Viviers exchanged with the monks of Cluny, the church of Saint-Vincent-de-Barrès for that of Meysse.

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Le Calvaire

It is a certain Malmazet, a Protestant surgeon of his state, who in 1732, had this calvary erected. Afflicted by a serious illness, he vowed to convert to Catholicism once he was cured. He then made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, from which he brought back a marvellous memory. The disposition of the promontory between the Volane and its tributary the Voltour seemed to him to be favourable for the reconstitution of the Calvary of Jerusalem. From afar, the aedicule has retained its elegance. Every Good Friday, the parishioners perform the Way of the Cross beautifully illustrated by a local artist. The Calvary, damaged during the Revolution, was rebuilt in 1863.

Carpentras Synagogue

The Carpentras Synagogue was built in 1367 and remains one of the oldest synagogues in France. It was restored in the 18th century by Antoine D’Allemand and updated to the contemporary baroque décor.