Noviciat des jésuites, Religious education building in Avignon, France.
The Jesuit Novitiate is a former school building in Avignon centered around a Greek cross chapel crowned with a dome. Three vaulted galleries surround a large inner courtyard, creating a structured and self-contained layout.
The site was founded in 1589 and served for nearly two centuries as a training facility for Jesuit novices. The Jesuits were expelled in 1768, after which the building was repurposed.
The building now hosts the Superior Institute of Performing Arts and participates in the city's annual festival in July. It has become a place where artists and students gather to transform historic spaces into modern creative venues.
The building is located on Rue du Portail Boquier and some spaces are open for exhibitions and events. Visitors should check in advance about access, as the site functions primarily as an educational and performance venue.
Architect Etienne Martellange designed the chapel with diagonal openings that create an unusual play of light. These innovative details are visible upon closer inspection and show a creative approach to ecclesiastical design.
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