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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Saint-Étienne church of Uzès is a Baroque-style Catholic religious building erected between 1764 and 1774 under the leadership of Bishop Bonaventure Bauyn, 63rd bishop of Uzès. Designed by the Avignon architect Pierre Bondon, it replaces an old church destroyed during the Wars of Religion (16th century), after serving as a store and arsenal. Only the 13th century bell tower, formerly a watchtower, was preserved. The building, marked by neo-Greek and Jesuit influences, is distinguished by its curvilinear facade decorated with flame vases, domes, and ionic decorations. Classified as a Historical Monument in 1974, it illustrates post-conflict religious reconstruction.

During the French Revolution, the church almost became a revolutionary tribunal, but was restored to worship in 1812 by Napoleon, as a chapel dependent on the cathedral of Uzes. Built in 1836, its architecture combines Romanesque elements (arcatures of the bell tower) and Gothic (cordons), while its nave, separated by wrought iron archatures, reflects the late Baroque style. The bell tower, a rectangular tower for pedestrian passage, bears witness to its original defensive role. The interior decorations, such as the pilasters with ionic capitals or garlands, underline its sumptuous character.

The church is part of the turbulent history of Uzes, marked by religious conflicts and reconstructions. Its classification in 1974 recognizes its heritage value, combining medieval heritage (clocher) and 18th century creations. Sources, such as Wikipedia and Monumentum, highlight its role in the religious and architectural landscape of Occitanie, as well as its link to local urban planning, notably through its historic address: 9 Plan Saint-Étienne.

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