Eglise St Julien

Also known as Saint-Antoine
Period: Classical
Type : Religious architecture
Originally built in the 12th century, during a period of medieval renaissance, Saint-Julien church was rebuilt in the 17th century, during another period of religious restructuring for the Church.
It is located on the edge of the Cavalerie district, where many nobles, enriched by trade, built their sumptuous homes at the same time. Its architecture is a curious blend of late Gothic and classical styles. Stripped of most of its rich furnishings during the French Revolution, the building suffered even more during the 1944 bombings, which left it in ruins. Restored, Saint-Julien is no longer the parish church it was for centuries. It is still accessible for regular concerts.

The church, rebuilt in the 17th century, nevertheless retains the southern Gothic style of Arles' religious architecture. A beautiful classical façade with Baroque elements (cherubs, niches, etc.) precedes the Gothic nave. Most of the furnishings, as well as the stained glass windows by Guibert d'Anelle (19th century), were destroyed by the bombs. The only remaining 17th-century piece is the beautiful gilded wood choir altarpiece, donated by the Confrérie du Saint-Sacrement. The central painting, depicting Saint Julien l'hospitalier (1686), is by Louis Parrocel. It is framed by the Last Supper and an Adoration of the Magi attributed to Gabriel d'Aix.
On either side of the choir are statues of Saint Julien l'Hospitalier and Saint Antoine abbé. Last but not least, there is a marble Madonna, said to have been designed by Revoil, a pupil of David, and a Stations of the Cross painted in 1958 by Guy Renne. The church tower has two bells, one of which, dating from 1691, is one of the oldest in the town.

DATAtourisme France