Saint-Martial Temple

We’ve now reached the Square Agricol Perdiguier. Stop for a moment and take a look at the imposing building on your left: it’s the Saint-Martial temple, dating back to the 14th century. Back in the day, it was part of a large Benedictine monastery that also featured a cloister and garden; all that remains today are the four arches beautifully laid out near the fountain and gardens. Unlike the cloister, the temple itself has stood the test of time. It was originally a church, but it then served as a secondary school and gendarmerie barracks. It also housed the Calvet and Requien museums, as well as the Natural History Museum, for several years. Its surrounding grounds became a botanical garden in the early 19th century. As you entered, you might have noticed the bust of Esprit Requien, the botanist who designed it. Together with Prosper Mérimée, this famous 19th-century naturalist helped save the city walls from demolition! Just opposite the statue, to your left, you’ll see an English phone box, a gift from Avignon’s twin city in England, Colchester. The park, affectionately nicknamed “Le Petit Jardin”, aka The Little Garden, by the locals, got its current layout in 1991. It is home to a wide variety of Mediterranean plants. As for the temple, it became a Protestant church in 1881, when the museum relocated to a different building on Joseph Vernet street. It’s still the Protestant parish church today, and one of the oldest in the city. Keep in mind that it has limited opening hours, so check beforehand if you want to visit. See the building right next to it on the left? It’s the Tourist Office. You’ll find the entrance on Cours Jean Jaurès.