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Origin and history

The church Saint-Michel de Vernon, located in the department of Ardèche, was built in 1675 on the site of a 10th century medieval chapel. This early chapel, adjacent to a castle, marked the border between Lotharingia and Western Francia after the Treaty of Strasbourg of 843. The association between church and castle reflects a tradition of Vivarais (former name of the Ardèche), where local lords sought to attract the favors of clergymen.

The architecture of the church, although rebuilt in the 17th century, preserves Romanesque features and a military look, a legacy of its chestnut origin. In 1829 an altar was added during the reign of Charles X, in a context of Restoration aimed at eliminating revolutionary destructions. The region, which has been predominantly Protestant for centuries, was characterized by marked popular piety.

The church houses a statue of the pregnant Virgin above its gate. Its history also illustrates the importance of fortified villages in Ardèche, where churches and castles often coexisted. The present parish, Sainte-Thérèse des Cevennes, incorporates this monument as one of its bell towers.

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