Abbey of Saint-Antoine in Viennois

According to tradition, the relics of Anthony the Great reached La Motte-Saint-Didier in the 1070s. They were brought from Constantinople by Jocelin de Châteauneuf after a pilgrimage to the East. He promoted the construction of a church beside the feudal castle, worthy of housing the relics. To support this initiative, in 1088 the monks of the Abbey of Montmajour (Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône) were asked to establish a priory there and to provide religious services. The Benedictines were already firmly established at La Motte before the end of the 11th century.

In 1119, Pope Callixtus II consecrated the new church, although it was still under construction. The Benedictine priory and the hospital coexisted for a time at La Motte, but the growing activity of the Hospitallers came into conflict with the interests of the Priory of Montmajour, particularly over control of the site, the relics and the pilgrimage. The rapid development of the Hospitaller community allowed its influence to extend far beyond the region, with the foundation of hospital establishments in many cities, some of which even practised surgery. In 1209, the bishop authorised the Antonines to build their own oratory, the church of Notre-Dame, independent of the Benedictine church of Saint-Antoine.

This house became the centre of the new order, where the grand master resided, and it also maintained an important hospital. The construction of the church of Saint-Antoine extended over a long period. When it was consecrated, work had probably only just begun. During the conflicts with the Benedictines, construction was likely interrupted, and most of the building was probably erected during the 14th and 15th centuries. In 1314, the church of Notre-Dame became the parish church; it later suffered from the Wars of Religion and, despite some reconstruction work, was abandoned in the 17th century.

At Saint-Antoine in Viennois a large complex of buildings survives, altered over time. The most prominent structure is the Gothic church of Saint-Antoine. It was built from the 13th century onwards over the earlier church, to which successive constructions were added until its disappearance. It is a large building with five naves and a spacious chancel dating from 1630. It contains the tomb of Anthony the Great. The sculptural decoration of the façade was severely damaged during the Wars of Religion. In a more isolated location, remains of the church of Notre-Dame can still be seen.