Saint-Césaire Convent

The arch before you is one of the few remnants of what was once an important abbey. The portal dates from the 18th century, but the abbey’s history stretches far deeper into the past. Caesarius, Archbishop of Arles, founded a monastery here as early as 512. He then went on to make a name for himself and his monastery by writing a monastic rule for abbesses, which was a huge hit. His precepts were even adopted by the queen of the Franks, Saint Radegund of Poitiers, wife of Clovis, who spent the end of her life in a convent. Today, she is venerated as a saint by both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. In short, the abbey grew considerably richer, and in the Middle Ages, the convent welcomed young girls from noble families and the Provençal elite. During the French Revolution, the monastery was sold as national property and it was largely destroyed. In the late 19th century, a project to establish an almshouse on the site was set in motion, paving the way for a major restoration that breathed new life into the abbey. Today, the former Saint-Césaire convent has been refurbished to be used as an office space.