Notre-Dame de l'Ortiguière (Revest du Bion)

About

Notre-Dame de l'Ortiguière is a rural chapel located in the commune of Revest-du-Bion, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department. Build in the 13th century, it was destroyed on two occasions. Of the original Romanesque structure, only oven consoles in the shape of Atlante heads remain, which archaeologists have associated with Scandinavian influences. From the 17th century onward, the chapel operated as a sanctuary of respite.

Rental: The chapel is located on the Albion Plateau, between Mont Ventoux and Lure Mountain. It is accessible via the D218 road, which connects the villages of Saint-Christol and Revest-du-Bion.

History: The name Revest-du-Bion first appeared in 1274 in an ecclesiastical register mentioning a prior assigned to Revesto Albionis. A century later, the parish, which church was dedicated to Saint Clair, was under the authority of Cluny through Ganagobie. In addition to the parish church, the only chapel recorded was Notre-Dame de l'Ortiguière, referred to in the same register as ecclesia beatae Mariae de Silva in Albione. At that time, the plateau was widely wooded and was gradually cleared by Benedictine monks from...