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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Laurent de Roure, located in the Alpes-Maritimes, has its origins in the Middle Ages. A prior was mentioned in 1351, and some architectural elements, such as the Romanesque façade on the cemetery side and its bell tower with three bays, probably date back to the fourteenth century. These vestiges bear witness to a medieval foundation, although the building was then profoundly transformed.

The major reconstruction of the church took place in the 2nd quarter of the 17th century, in a baroque style that reversed its initial orientation. This construction site, which began around 1640, nevertheless retains the central part of the old medieval façade. The building has been protected as historical monuments since November 3, 1987, recognizing its heritage value as a blend of Romanesque and Baroque heritage.

Inside the church is a rich religious setting, marked by several remarkable polyptychs. Among them, a polyptych of Saint Laurent (XVIth century, attributable to an artist ligure) and a polyptych of the Assumption (circa 1560, workshop by Francis Bréa) illustrate the artistic influence of Liguro-Nice. A painting dated 1634, Ecce homo accompanied by saints, signed by John Rocca, completes this ensemble, reflecting the local artistic vitality in the 17th century.

Historical sources, such as the works of Philippe de Beauchamp or Luc Thévenon, underline the importance of this church in the religious heritage of the Alpes-Maritimes. Its hybrid architecture and works of art make it a privileged witness to the stylistic and spiritual evolutions of the region, from the Middle Ages to the Baroque era.

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