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Origin and history

The Saint-Sauveur de Gars church, located in the Alpes-Maritimes, finds its origins in the close links between the village and the abbey of Lérins. As early as 1081, Gars' land was transferred to this Benedictine abbey, which developed sheep rearing there. In 1158, the castra de Gars was infused to the knights of Briançonnet by Abbé Bonson, marking a period of feudal structuring. The construction of the church, probably initiated at the end of the 12th century, is attributed to the monks of Lérins, who attach it to their priory of Briançonnet.

The building was first mentioned in 1306, demonstrating its central role in local religious life. In the 14th century, Gars changed hands several times: given in 1383 to Count Pierre de Terminis, then ravaged in the early 15th century by the Niçois in retaliation against the Grimaldi of Bueil. The noble families, such as the Grasse-Bar and the Theas, followed. The Romanesque church is distinguished by its three-span nave vaulted in a broken cradle and its apse in a cul-de-four. It houses remarkable furniture, including an ancient bentier and a canvas of the Transfiguration of Christ.

Ranked a historic monument on December 12, 1936, the Church of Saint-Sauveur today embodies the medieval Provencal heritage. His cemetery also houses the tomb of Célestin Freinet, a renowned teacher. The architectural sources, such as the works of Jacques Thirion or Luc Thévenon, underline its importance in Alpine Romanesque art. The protection of the state and its location in the Esteron Valley make it a key witness to the religious and feudal history of the region.

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