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Origin and history

The Saint-Blaise church of Valensole, under the name of Saint Blaise, is a former priory dependent on the Abbey of Cluny, founded by Saint Maieul in the 11th century. It dominates the village and preserves traces of its conventual past, especially in nearby houses where remains of the disappeared cloister remain. The ensemble, including the adjacent courtyard, has been listed as historical monuments since 1994.

The architecture of the church reflects several epochs: the nave, rebuilt in 1789-1790, adopts a Latin cross between a Romanesque facade and a 14th century Gothic choir (or 11th-XIIIth according to sources). The latter is distinguished by its dogive vaults, its capital columns decorated with dacanthe leaves and fantastic figures. The lower side dates from the 14th century, while the lateral chapels were added between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The bell tower, erected above the choir, completes the building.

The furniture includes 48 16th century stalls and a carved wooden skirt (circa 1600), transformed into a fence of baptismal fonts and classified as a historical monument. The church underwent important restorations in the 19th century, including the vaulting of the nave, originally carpented. This work aimed to remedy the deterioration of the building, while preserving its historical character.

The Priory-Deaning of Saint-Mayeul, whose church is the heart, formed a Conventual ensemble with houses grouped around a courtyard. The south gate, dated 1662, and the facades of adjacent buildings (registered in 1995) bear witness to this medieval organization. Today, the building remains a symbol of the religious and architectural heritage of Provence, combining clunisian, Gothic and Baroque influences.

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