Page 39 - Guide Patrimoine - Terre de Provence

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NOVES
ESPLANADE DU CHÂTEAU CENTRE VILLE
MONUMENTS
NOTRE DAME DE PITIÉ CHAPEL Located on the very site where the rst Novais settlement was established, it was initially a simple hermitage of Observantin monks. The nave of the chapel, contiguous to the hermitage, was built in 1630 and enlarged in 1722,
in ful llment of a vow made
by the inhabitants of Noves during the great plague of 1720/1721. A pilgrimage related to this vow still takes place on the rst Monday of September. This place is a haven of peace and greenery. It was near here that the famous «Tarasque de Noves» was discovered in 1848. The Tarasque is now visible at the Calvet Museum in Avignon. The chapel is only open during the European Heritage Days. During the summer, concerts and shows are organized at the foot of the hill and the chapel serves as a natural and grandiose setting.
CHAPEL OF THE WHITE PENITENTS
It was built in the 14th century at the request of Pope John XXII, on the site of an ancient synagogue. It was originally named Notre-Dame-de- Dedans-Ville, in contrast to the church of Saint-Baudile, located outside the walls.
It served as a public bath
for a long time before being rehabilitated. The church contains speci c mural
paintings by the Pénitents and, in the 16th century, housed the signature of the marriage contract of Laure de Noves. It has changed its name over time, depending on the functions attributed
to it. Today, it is named after a great local historian, Marc Mielly, who wrote a book about the town: «Noves, Agel, Verquières, from origins to 1481,» which is for sale at Noves Infos Tourisme.
Extra information : Nowadays, this building is the Municipal Media Library, where you can read under the multi-century old frescoes.
ST BAUDIL CHURCH
It occupies the site of a Roman villa located along the major Roman road linking Spain and Italy. The church is dedicated to Saint Baudile, a Roman legionnaire and deacon who was martyred in Nîmes in the year 300. The remains of an earlier building constructed
in the 10th century by the bishops of Avignon, who owned the site, are still visible on the outside (at the top
of the grand staircase) and inside (in the last bay under and on the platform). The current building includes several chapels added over the centuries around the
nave and apse from the
12th century (classi ed as a Historic Monument in 1921). The building was classi ed
as a Historic Monument in its entirety in 1999 and is open all year round.
Extra information : Due to the good preservation of the building, the church square is sometimes used as a location for lming period lms.
MEDIEVAL WALLS AND GATES
Following the successive enlargements of the village during the Middle Ages, several walls and forti cations are visible: the Echauguette from the 10th century, the Porte de l’Horloge from the 14th century, and the Portes d’Aurose and d’Agel from the 12th century.
Extra information : From
the Esplanade du Château, you can see the successive enlargements of the city thanks to these forti cations. You can also enjoy the orientation table to spot Mont Ventoux, the Alpilles, the Durance, etc.
NOTRE DAME
DE VACQUIERES CHAPEL Many legends circulate about this chapel and its spring. According to one legend, it was a cow that discovered
the spring with miraculous properties by scratching
the ground with its hooves. The name «Notre Dame des Œufs» (common name today) comes from the fact that it housed a Black Virgin for a long time, to whom people offered eggs, a symbol of fertility, because spring water was known for healing.
Extra information : This chapel now belongs to private individuals who have notably rebuilt the building at the
back, which unfortunately cannot be seen. Don’t hesitate to throw a coin into the small basin next to the spring and make a wish! You never know...
THE MUSEUM OF THE SCHOOL FROM 1970 TO 1970
is located in the old Paluds school and reproduces
the classrooms of that era between 1960 and 1970. Furniture, decorations, desks, everything is there to immerse you in childhood memories. Admission is free but visits are by appointment only.
CIRCUIT
DISCOVERY TOUR OF NOVES The Discovery Tour is an invitation to explore Noves’ past through its various monuments and mansions. This itinerary is marked by information panels for better orientation. Those who wish to delve deeper into their exploration can obtain
the brochure ‘Strolling through Old Noves,’ in which the
Noves Heritage Association elaborates on this history.» Brochures are available at Noves Tourism Information Center.
HE MARC MIELLY LIBRARY
Rue Louis Vouland mediatheque@noves.fr https://noves.fr/mediatheque- municipale.
CINÉMA L’EDEN
Program available at the Tourist Information Of ce. Open from September to June.