Chapelle Saint Pierre de Bagnols - Les Grands Cléments, Villars, France
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member YvesProvence
N 43° 56.933 E 005° 26.268
31T E 695618 N 4869084
la chapelle Saint Pierre de Bagnols / The Saint Pierre chapel in Bagnols
Waymark Code: WM127Q4
Location: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Date Posted: 03/22/2020
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Alfouine
Views: 2
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FR Il faut quitter la route D179 reliant Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt à Rustrel et s'enfoncer dans un vallon isolé au pied du plateau d'Albion pour atteindre la chapelle. Ayant traversé le hameau de la Fumeirasse, on suit un long chemin caillouteux qui s'engage peu à peu dans l'étroit défilé jusqu'à un cirque naturel dominé par des rochers spectaculaires. C'est là que niche Saint-Pierre-de-Bagnols.

Entourée d'arbres fournissant une ombre fraîche, et au pied des parois rocheuses, la chapelle se tient alors que le sentier se poursuit en se glissant entre deux rochers. Le sanctuaire est en bon état mais il n'est pas permis d'y pénétrer entre avril et septembre, afin de ne pas perturber ... la reproduction des chauves-souris qui l'habitent !

Un coup d'oeil à travers l'oculus latéral permet de constater ce fait. Il permet aussi d'y admirer le bel autel peint et ses décorations. Plusieurs motifs sont représentés : un triangle de la Trinité, une colombe du Saint-Esprit, une mitre d'évêque, des étoiles et des feuillages.

Dans l'Antiquité, ce site fut un sanctuaire gallo-romain dédié à Jupiter et à Sylvain, dieu de la forêt. Au Moyen Age, les moines bénédictins y bâtirent une chapelle appelée "Sancti Petri di Bainol". Abandonnée et ruinée par la suite, elle fut redécouverte en 1763 par des bergers. Elle fut rebâtie sur ses anciennes fondations, et on y intégra des inscriptions antiques et médiévales trouvées sur place. Des ossements également découverts furent transférés dans un nouveau caveau.

Consacrée en 1769, elle fut vendue en 1821 à Antoine Bourgue de Villars, qui la céda à d'autres habitants. Sa restauration fut l'oeuvre d'une collaboration entre tous les habitants de la commune.

Trois des inscriptions intégrées au mur nord pendant sa première reconstruction sont gallo-romaines et païennes : "A Silvain, Arès, esclave de Domitia (?) Severina (?), s'est acquitté(e) de son voeu, de bon gré et à juste titre. Dans la mesure où il (ou elle) aura agi sagement, qu'il jouisse de la faveur de Silvain" ; "A Viriontia ... s'est acquitté de son voeu, de bon gré et à juste titre" ; "A Jupiter, très bon, très grand, m(...) s'est acquitté de son voeu". Une quatrième, qui date du XIe siècle, est chrétienne : "La veille de la fête de la purification de Sainte Marie a été dédicacée cette église".
EN You have to leave the D179 road connecting Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt to Rustrel and sink into an isolated valley at the foot of the Albion plateau to reach the chapel. Having crossed the hamlet of Fumeirasse, we follow a long stony path which gradually engages in the narrow pass until a natural circus dominated by spectacular rocks. This is where Saint-Pierre-de-Bagnols nests.

Surrounded by trees providing cool shade, and at the foot of the rock walls, the chapel stands as the path continues by sliding between two rocks. The sanctuary is in good condition but it is not allowed to enter it between April and September, so as not to disturb ... the reproduction of the bats that inhabit it!

A glance through the lateral oculus reveals this fact. It also allows you to admire the beautiful painted altar and its decorations. Several motifs are represented: a triangle of the Trinity, a dove of the Holy Spirit, a bishop's miter, stars and leaves.

In Antiquity, this site was a Gallo-Roman sanctuary dedicated to Jupiter and Sylvain, god of the forest. In the Middle Ages, the Benedictine monks built a chapel called "Sancti Petri di Bainol" there. Abandoned and ruined thereafter, it was rediscovered in 1763 by shepherds. It was rebuilt on its old foundations, and there were integrated ancient and medieval inscriptions found on the spot. Also discovered bones were transferred to a new vault.

Consecrated in 1769, it was sold in 1821 to Antoine Bourgue de Villars, who ceded it to other inhabitants. Its restoration was the work of a collaboration between all the inhabitants of the commune.

Three of the inscriptions integrated into the north wall during its first reconstruction are Gallo-Roman and pagan: "At Silvain, Ares, slave of Domitia (?) Severina (?), Fulfilled his wish, willingly and As far as he (or she) has acted wisely, let him enjoy the favor of Silvanus "; "To Viriontia ... has fulfilled his wish, willingly and rightly"; "To Jupiter, very good, very tall, m (...) has fulfilled his wish". A fourth, which dates from the 11th century, is Christian: "The eve of the feast of the purification of Saint Mary was dedicated this church".


Source : http://chapelles.provence.free.fr/villarsstpierredebagnols.html
Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1769

Age of Church building determined by?: Other reliable source

If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Catholic

Street address of Church:
Chapelle Saint Pierre de Bagnols
Les Grands Cléments
Villars, France
84240

Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]

If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed

If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Not listed

Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: Not Listed

Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed
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