Avignon during the sixteenth-century Wars of Religion

History of Avignon Prehistory Before Rome Gallo-Roman Avignon Late antiquity Early Middle Ages The medieval commune The papal move The papal court Western Schism Legates Wars of Religion Altera Roma Eighteenth century Union with France Napoleon Nineteenth century Twentieth century Early twenty-first century

In the second half of the sixteenth century, Avignon was a Catholic town beside territories influenced by the Reformation. Regional conflict and religious renewal transformed urban life.

Papal territory amid southern conflicts

The Wars of Religion affected the Comtat Venaissin and Provence. Protestant communities were established in the Cévennes, Orange and Dauphiné. Papal authorities sought to protect their territories, drawing in part on French forces.

Detail of the Plan aux personnages, 1575, Avignon municipal library

Place Pie and the century’s hardships

Place Pie takes its name from Pope Pius IV. Its history is connected with the destruction of Jean-Perrin Parpaille’s house after accusations of heresy. Food shortages and episodes of plague added to the population’s difficulties later in the century.

Catholic renewal

The Jesuits established themselves in the Ceccano residence during the sixteenth century and developed their college. Other religious communities contributed to Catholic renewal. Processions and penitential confraternities, including the Grey, Black, White and Blue Penitents, played an important part in the town’s life.

History of Avignon Prehistory Before Rome Gallo-Roman Avignon Late antiquity Early Middle Ages The medieval commune The papal move The papal court Western Schism Legates Wars of Religion Altera Roma Eighteenth century Union with France Napoleon Nineteenth century Twentieth century Early twenty-first century