Fort Saint-André - Avignon (France)

In 1290, Philip the Fair exchanged Maine and Anjou for a seigniory share in Avignon. To protect a strategic point on the border of the kingdom marked by the Rhone, he decided to build Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. The founding act, signed in 1292 with the abbot of Saint-André, plans to strengthen the access to the bridge of Avignon. Between 1300 and 1307, the Philippe le Bel tower was built on the left bank of the river.

The fortification of Mount Andaon itself is undertaken under John II the Good. It must assert the royal power against the land of the Empire and Avignon Popes. The fort is also intended to protect the Benedictine abbey of the tenth century and the village of St. Andrew whose existence, on Mount Andaon, is attested since the tenth century.

The fort and surrounding wall surrounding the abbey were built in stages during the second half of the 14th century. Fort Saint-André, as we know it today, had as last architect Jean de Loubières, said Jean du Louvre, the architect of the palace of the popes of Avignon. He finished the current construction by order of Charles V.

Since then, the fort has been constantly occupied by a garrison until the revolution