ABBAYE SAINT VICTOR (AN)

Where are we?: Place Saint-Victor, 13007  

Historical and chronological situation: Middle Age 

Introduction:  The Abbey of Saint Victor is a 5th century French abbey that has been for over 1,700 years one of the most representative places of Catholicism in southern France. Its church is still in use today, but the monastery disappeared after the French Revolution. 

History: The Abbey of Saint Victor was built in the 5th century by Saint Jean-Cassien. This abbey is located in an old Greek quarry where the tombs of the martyrs of Marseille are buried and for this reason, it takes the name of one of them: Saint Victor of Marseille. 

The Abbey was founded in the 5th century by Saint Jean Cassien and over the centuries it acquired great importance and religious power. 

In the 10th century it served as residence to several bishops of the city and during the Middle Ages, the current church was built and the walls were expanded with the creation of the Isarn tower. However, the key point of this abbey was reached in the 14th century with Guillaume de Grimoad who managed to become Urban V, the pope of Avignon. 

Beginning in the 15th century, the abbey began an irreversible decline. Furthermore, during the French Revolution, the abbey was not used as a religious site but was even used as a barracks, warehouse and prison. 

Official website: http://www.saintvictor.net/?lang=fr