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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Sainte-Croix de Maussane-les-Alpilles was built in the middle of the eighteenth century, under the impulse of Joseph de Laugier, who entrusted the construction of it to architect Joseph-Abel Mottard, native of the Avignon region. The works, carried out from 1750 onwards, also involved master masons of Tarascon, including Antoine Damour — collaborator of Jean-Baptiste Franque. The building is distinguished by its double ridge vault and a hexagonal baptistery surmounted by a dome. The presbytery, connected to the church by the bell tower and the sacristy, formed a coherent ensemble, consecrated in 1754.

In the 19th century, the church was enriched by the addition of a master altar and woodwork, completing its interior decor. The whole — church and presbytery — was inscribed in the Historical Monuments by order of 14 October 1997, recognizing its heritage value. The property now belongs to the municipality of Maussane-les-Alpilles, while its location, Joseph Laugier de Monblan Square, enjoys an accuracy deemed a priori satisfactory (note 6/10).

The church architecture reflects regional influences, combining local know-how (Tarascon masons) and Provencal Baroque style. The choice of Joseph-Abel Mottard, an architect linked to Avignon, and the collaboration with experienced artisans such as Antoine Damour, underline the importance attached to this project by its sponsor, Joseph de Laugier. The structure, with its bell tower integrating presbytery and sacristy, illustrates a unified design, typical of the rural churches of the period.

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