Eglise Sainte-Anne d'Arles (Arles St. Anne Church), Arles

Originally constructed in the 12th century as the Church of Notre-Dame-la-Principale, The Church of Saint Anne once served as a parish church closely linked to the neighbouring cathedral. Over time, its role shifted dramatically. In the 17th century, the building was repurposed as a seminary, later becoming a burial site for prominent canons of Saint Trophime.

It was also during the 17th century that the church received its current name. Consecrated on the feast day of Saint Anne, the dedication was far from coincidental: the church once safeguarded revered relics of Saint Anne, including a vermeil bust.

Although no longer functioning as a church, Saint Anne retains its solemn Romanesque character. The simplicity of its façade and the solid lines of its architecture bring back ideas of medieval craftsmanship.

Nowadays, Saint Anne is best known as a temporary exhibition space, hosting rotating displays of art and archaeology that complement Arles’s cultural scene. Even though the church retired from its original purpose, the value it provides to local history and culture cannot be understated. After all, it has not been granted the status of historical monument in 1875 for nothing.