Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Church of Saint Sebastian, dedicated to the Roman martyr of the same name, was built in the 12th century, before 1178. At that time, it depended on the abbey of Saint-André de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. This first Romanesque building bears witness to the religious and architectural influence of the Provençal region in the Middle Ages.

In the 14th century, the village of Corbières and its church were destroyed, probably in the context of medieval crises (wars, epidemics or local conflicts). Reconstruction took place in the 15th century, marking a revival for the community. The building, however, underwent a new bag in 1585, during the Wars of Religion, by Calvinist troops. These events illustrate the religious tensions in Provence at this time.

The restorations carried out in the late 16th and early 17th centuries gave the church its present appearance. Its unique nave Romanesque architecture, embellished with Gothic elements such as the bays in the middle of the spire, reflects these different phases of construction. The presence of a more recent lateral chapel also highlights its evolution over the centuries.

The church preserves traces of its turbulent history, like the west gate decorated with yousures in basket handle, typical of the 15th century. Its bell tower, backed by the choir, and its arcades recall the successive adaptations to meet liturgical needs and historical hazards. Today, it remains a major testimony of the religious heritage of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

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