Chapelle Notre-Dame d'Ertor (ou d'Astors)
MonumentHidden Treasure
Chapelle Notre-Dame d'Ertor (ou d'Astors), located in Peyrolles-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Peyrolles-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 43.6403, 5.5474
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00081407
Nestling in the garrigues of Provence, Notre-Dame d'Ertor chapel, founded in the 12th century and remodelled in the 17th, combines Romanesque austerity and Baroque fervour in a setting of wild nature.
History
Perched on the heights of Peyrolles-en-Provence, on the banks of the Durance and the hills of limestone Provence, the chapel of Notre-Dame d'Ertor - sometimes spelt "d'Astors" - is one of those discreet sanctuaries that sum up several centuries of popular devotion and architectural transmission. Listed as a Monument Historique in 1940, it embodies the rural heritage of Provence, too often ignored in favour of the great abbeys, but which nonetheless harbours a tenacious and singular beauty. What makes this site truly unique is the visible superimposition of two great periods in the history of France. The medieval foundations - cut limestone bonding, cul-de-four apse, sober modenature - betray a Romanesque construction of the twelfth century, faithful to the canons of the rural chapels of Haute-Provence. Later work in the 17th century added more expressive elements to the interior decoration, reflecting a revival of Marian devotion characteristic of the Catholic Counter-Reformation in this region deeply rooted in the faith. The experience of visiting the chapel is one of a discreet but profound change of scenery. The chapel can be found at the end of a dirt track lined with pine and wild olive trees, in a solitude that is never heavy. Inside, the cool half-light and the special acoustics of the barrel vault create an atmosphere of natural contemplation, without pomp or ceremony. The eye is drawn to the traces of ancient polychromy on the walls and to the niche which, according to local tradition, still houses the effigy of the Virgin venerated by the people of Peyrolles. The natural setting enhances the charm of the place: set against the limestone scrubland typical of the Bouches-du-Rhône region, the chapel enjoys an uninterrupted view over the Durance plain and the relief of the Concors massif. This panorama, the reward for a short climb on foot, makes the visit as much a walk as a heritage discovery. Photographers will particularly appreciate the low-angled light of a spring morning or evening, which brings out the ochre and cream tones of the local stone.
Architecture
Notre-Dame d'Ertor chapel belongs to the type of Provençal Romanesque rural chapels of the 12th century, whose essential features it shares: a single nave plan, an east-facing semicircular apse, and carefully dressed limestone masonry. The thick walls, typical of medieval buildings in this region, provide natural thermal inertia, keeping the interior cool in summer. The barrel vault, typical of Provencal Romanesque architecture, rests on pilasters with simple abacus capitals and no superfluous sculpted decoration. The 17th-century alterations can be seen mainly in the treatment of the west facade and certain interior features. The entrance door has a classically inspired moulded frame, contrasting with the sober Romanesque style of the rest of the building. Inside, traces of painted whitewash and the arrangement of wall niches bear witness to the decorative additions of this second campaign of work, in keeping with the practices of Provençal workshops of the Counter-Reformation. The roof, covered with Roman hollow tiles in the Mediterranean tradition, follows the gentle slope typical of rural chapels in Provence. The wall-belfry, a common feature of this type of building, pierces the façade with one or two round-headed bays to accommodate a bell. The overall impression is one of discreet solidity and integration into the landscape, which defines the particular genius of rural religious architecture in Haute-Provence.
Related Figures
Évêques d'Aix-en-Provence (XIIe siècle) — commanditaires probables ou valideurs de la construction romane primitiveSeigneurs de Peyrolles (Moyen Âge) — protecteurs laïcs du sanctuaire, dont l'identité précise reste à établir par les archives localesAbbés de Saint-Victor de Marseille (XIIe-XIIIe siècle) — impliqués dans l'encadrement religieux de nombreux sanctuaires ruraux de la régionConfrérie des Pénitents de Peyrolles (XVIIe siècle) — acteurs probables du renouveau dévotionnel et des travaux de réfection baroqueInspecteurs des Monuments Historiques (1940) — responsables de l'inscription officielle et de la sauvegarde patrimoniale de la chapelle
Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Chapelle Notre-Dame d'Ertor (ou d'Astors) located?
Chapelle Notre-Dame d'Ertor (ou d'Astors) is located in Peyrolles-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône department, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, France.
When was Chapelle Notre-Dame d'Ertor (ou d'Astors) built?
Chapelle Notre-Dame d'Ertor (ou d'Astors) dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Chapelle Notre-Dame d'Ertor (ou d'Astors) open to visitors?
Chapelle Notre-Dame d'Ertor (ou d'Astors) is currently closed to visitors.