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Origin and history

The Notre-Dame de Vers-la-Ville chapel is a religious building located in Annot, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, built between the late 12th and early 13th centuries. It stands on a platform overlooking the valley, surrounded by troglodytic habitats and huge blocks of sandstone. Its architecture combines a unique nave of three spans, a semicircular apse and a bell tower typical of the region. Inside, the broken cradle vault and trompe-l'oeil painted decorations (draperies, false marbles) testify to its historical and artistic importance.

The chapel underwent major transformations in the 19th century, including the elevation of the nave and the abside, the displacement of the bell tower, and the obstruction of an original door. This work, carried out between 1841 and the 1880s, changed its appearance, as evidenced by the records and photographs of the period. A complete restoration of the roof took place in 1986, followed by that of the interior in 1990. Ranked a historic monument in 1967, it also houses protected elements such as an 18th century ex-voto and an Annunciation painting dated 1656.

Its location on a presumed primitive site of the city suggests a central role in local history. The materials used (stonestones, stonework, stonework) and the construction techniques (stones, foothills) reflect the medieval know-how adapted to the rugged terrain. Today, a communal property, the chapel remains an architectural and spiritual testimony of the Provencal Alps, open to visit in a remarkable landscape.

The path leading to the chapel, marked by stations of a calvary, highlights its integration into a devotional path. The curved bays, the broken discharge arch and the iron draughts of the south facade illustrate early Romanesque and Gothic stylistic influences. The absence of ancient texts about its origin leaves architectural style as the main index of dating, reinforcing its historical mystery.

Interior decorative elements, such as the wooden baluster turned from the stand or varnished terracotta tiles, add to its rich heritage. The chapel thus embodies both a medieval place of worship, a geographical landmark overlooking the valley, and an emblematic example of Provencal religious heritage, preserved despite centuries and transformations.

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