It traces its history back to the foundation of its mother house and namesake, the abbey of Saint-Ruf in Avignon.
[1] The abbey received privileges from the Emperor Frederick I, as it came under direct imperial authority.
Pope Innocent IV (r. 1243–1254) confirmed it as directly subordinate to the Holy See nullo medio.
In 1482, in his capacity as commendatory abbot, Giuliano della Rovere issued new statutes for the order.
The 16th century was a period of decline, marked by the French Wars of Religion.