HISTORY

Churches

Two church steeples reach into the sky.  The older of the two, just footsteps from our apartment is the Church of Saint André.  Built at the turn of the 12th century in a Roman architectural style, it was heavily modified in the 16th century by Vaudois settlers who transformed the church into a Protestant temple.  When the Vaudois were slaughtered and Lourmarin razed later in that same century during the religious wars, the Catholic Church reclaimed and modified the church.  In the 19th century, it was substantially altered again and a new steeple was added.  Today the church overlooks a small place graced by fountains and flowers, local residences and an art gallery.

The other church, built between 1806 and 1816, is one of the oldest Protestant churches in the region and a testament to the tenacity of the Protestant community.  Designed by a well-known architect from Marseille, Michel-Robert Penchaud, it is known for its austere beauty, attractive proportions, lovely lighting and its exceptional organ, installed in 1840.  In 1990, it was listed as a Historic Monument and, a few years later, it was completely restored.  Concerts are often scheduled here in the summer months.