The church of St Peter is tucked away in the side streets behind the Place de l’Horloge in Avignon. Only its tall tower and spire give it away. It has a splendid, although no longer used, west door leading into the south aisle with elaborate decoration made from studs.
There has been a church on this site since the C7th although that was was destroyed by Saracen raiders. The present building dates from the mid C14th. The nave was enlarged in the C15th by the addition of a south aisle and side chapels.
The inside really does have the wow factor with the C17th gilded panelling in the chancel. In the sunlight this glows golden. The nave is very plain in comparison, with a gallery and”here.”:http:// http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/otherholidays/rhone/index.html the organ at the west end.
It is a large church with chapels off the north wall.The reliquary chapel of St Pierre of Luxembourg is particularly impressive with his robes and hat displayed on the wall.
An arcade of solid pillars with pointed arches separates the south aisle with more side chapels. Hanging on the back wall of the south aisle is the C19th choir carpet with an image of the front of the church. At the opposite end of the south aisle is a lovely early C15th carving of the entombment. The chapel next to it has the remains of wall paintings which have darkened badly over the centuries.
I always enjoy visiting churches and this one really is stunning. Don’t miss it if you are in Avignon!
I visited here on Day 7 of Burgundy, the River Rhone and Provence, a river cruise with Riviera Travel. My full account with all the pictures can be found “here.”:http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/otherholidays/rhone/index.html
