Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (French pronunciation: [vil'nœv lez‿avi'ɲɔ̃]; Provençal: Vilanòva d’Avinhon) is a commune in the Gard department in southern France.
In the 6th century the Benedictine abbey of St André was founded on Mount Andaon, and the village which grew up round it took its name.
[3] The city itself was founded by Philippe le Bel and boasts a castle he built, Fort Saint-André.
The town was also the resort of the French cardinals during the sojourn of the popes at Avignon, in the 14th century.
[3] It is located on the right (western) bank of the river Rhône, opposite Avignon.