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Oratory located on the Domaine des Béguines à Nans-les-Pins dans le Var

Var

Oratory located on the Domaine des Béguines

    Chemin des Rois
    83860 Nans-les-Pins
Oratoire situé sur le domaine des Béguines
Oratoire situé sur le domaine des Béguines
Oratoire situé sur le domaine des Béguines
Oratoire situé sur le domaine des Béguines
Oratoire situé sur le domaine des Béguines
Oratoire situé sur le domaine des Béguines
Oratoire situé sur le domaine des Béguines
Oratoire situé sur le domaine des Béguines
Oratoire situé sur le domaine des Béguines
Crédit photo : Luxxlucis - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
1516
Construction of the oratory
1789-1799
Miette Revolutionary Event
3 juin 1938
Historical Monument
1964
First major restoration
1978
New bas-relief and grid
2009
Last restoration
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Oratory located on the Domaine des Béguines: registration by order of 3 June 1938

Key figures

Jean Ferrier - Archbishop of Arles Sponsor of the Oratory in 1516.
Miette - Young girl rescued Knows his name at the oratory (Rvolution).
Olivier Petit - Contemporary sculptor Author of bas-relief 1978.
François Ier - King of France Inspired the pilgrimage of 1516.

Origin and history

The Oratory of the Beguines, also called the Oratory of Sainte-Marie Magdeleine or Oratory of Miette, was erected in 1516 on the order of Jean Ferrier, Archbishop of Arles, after the pilgrimage of Francis I. Located in Nans-les-Pins (Var), it marks the third stage of the seven oratories of the "Chemin des Roys", linking the city to the sanctuary of Sainte-Baume. Four of these oratories remain today, the others having been destroyed or reduced to their base.

The building is richly decorated, with an ogival vault, pilasters decorated with flowers symbolizing the resurrection of Christ, and an archepiscopal coat of arms. The present bas-relief, by Olivier Petit (1978), replaces the original disappeared and represents Mary Magdalene at the feet of Christ at Martha of Bethany. Horse irons engraved by Companions du Devoir adorn its base, bearing traditional passages.

Ranked a Historic Monument in 1938, the Oratory was restored in 1964, 1978 (added bas-relief and grid), and 2009. His name "de Miette" comes from a revolutionary drama: a young girl, Miette, found refuge there after the murder of her parents, praying Marie-Madeleine to escape her pursuer. The murderer passed without seeing her, leaving intact the legend of miraculous protection.

The Oratory illustrates the importance of pilgrimage to the Holy Baume, a major place of Provencal devotion to Mary Magdalene. Its iconic "Chemin des Roys", borrowed by the faithful since the sixteenth century, links religious history, architectural heritage and forest landscapes. The successive restorations underline its lasting role in local memory and spiritual tourism.

Of the seven initial oratories, only four persist, including the Béguines, the first visible from Nans-les-Pins. His pediment used to have the inscription: "Jean Ferrier, Archbishop of Arles, had this monument erected in 1516", taken up on all the oratories of the road. Today, he remains a key witness to sacred art and Provençal traditions.

External links