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Origin and history

The Notre-Dame-de-Beauregard chapel in Orgon is a Catholic place of worship located in the Bouches-du-Rhône, in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Perched on a hill south of the village, it overlooks the Durance Valley, National Highway 7 and the A7 motorway. Its access is made by a path starting from the local cemetery, marked by three oratories dating from the 16th century. Nearby, traces of a Gallic oppidum and remains of fortifications recall its ancient occupation.

The history of the site dates back at least to the sixteenth century, with the construction of a protective enclosure in 1592. Between 1638 and 1660, a monastery was built there for the Augustinians Unshoeed of Saint Peter d'Aix, who occupied it until the Revolution in 1789. Abandoned until 1854, the convent was restored, then the present chapel was built from 1878 under the impulse of Canon Pierre Anselme Bonnard, parish priest of Orgon from 1877 to 1899. In 1903, the Gris Penitents of Avignon erected a cross there.

In the 20th century, the site had several religious occupations: in 1935 the Frères Servites settled there, followed in 1958 by the Fraternity of the Little Sisters of Foucault, and in 1970 by the "Community of the Lion of Judas and the Immolated Lamb". The latter was maintained until 1982, when the monastery, left without guardian, was looted and damaged. Since 1984, the Association des Amis de Beauregard has been restoring and animating the site, promoting its cultural and tourist outreach.

The environment of the chapel preserves notable historical elements, such as the 16th century oratories and the remains of the Gallic poppidum. Despite its appeal, the site is not recommended at night due to past malicious acts, including bullet impacts on the observatory. Today, Notre-Dame-de-Beauregard embodies both a major religious, architectural and landscape heritage of the Alpilles.

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