Clocher des Augustins (Avignon)

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This was one of the earliest Augustine convents in Provence, first occupied in the second half of the thirteenth century outside the city walls near the Portail Matheron, not far from the Carmelites who were located on the same street. The church was apparently complete by the beginning of the fourteenth century and is probably one of the first examples of Gothic Avignonese style. It was later enlarged and renovated by John XXII, who added chapels to the eastern portion of the church. At the time, this neighborhood was growing rapidly, with artisans as well as small merchants. The Augustines began construction of a bell tower in 1372 and completed it in 1377. It is the only visible remnant of what was one of the largest convents in Avignon.

This bell tower, similar to that of the neighboring Carmelites, exemplifies all of the typical characteristics pf the Avignonese style of bell tower, with the addition of machicolations over the corbels, highlighting the defensive role of this edifice. During the Revolution this convent was sold in lots and dismantled, while the bell tower was given to the community. www.avignon.fr/en/visites/visite4en.php