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Origin and history

The Priory of Our Lady of Ganagobia, founded in the 10th century by the Bishop of Sisteron, was attached to the Order of Cluny in 965. Its Romanesque church, built in the 12th century, houses a pavement of polychrome mosaics dated from the years 1120-1130, without equivalent in France. These mosaics, commissioned by Prior Bertrand, represent a fantastic fauna and flora, inspired by oriental carpets. The monastery, prosperous thanks to the donations of the Counts of Forcalquier, declined from the 15th century, suffering looting and destruction during the Wars of Religion (1562) and the Revolution (1794).

In the 17th century, the priors Peter and Jacques de Gaffarel gave the monastery a new boom, before its slow decadence until its secularization in 1788. Sold as a national property in 1791, the abbey was partially destroyed, including its transepts and choir. Rediscovered in 1891 by the Benedictines of Marseilles, the site was restored in the 20th century, with the foundation of mosaics in 1986. Since 1992, it has been home to the Benedictine community of Sainte-Madeleine, which perpetuates monastic life and welcomes retirees.

The architecture of the priory combines Provence and Burgundy Romanesque influences, visible in its carved portal (Christ in majesty, Tetramorph) and its 12th century Romanesque cloister, unique in the department. The mosaics, restored after centuries of burial, cover 72 m2 and combine Christian symbols and Oriental motifs. The Ganagobie plateau, strategic since Antiquity (Domitian Way), also offers archaeological remains such as sarcophagus and a millstone quarry.

The library of the abbey, dug into the rock, preserves 100,000 books, including 8,000 ancient books (XII-15III centuries). The monks, known for their cosmetics based on essential oils (like the balm of the pilgrim), share their liturgical life with the visitors. The church, open to the public, makes it possible to admire mosaics, the contemporary stained glass windows of Father Kim En Joong (2006), and the Roman cloister, partially rebuilt between 1895 and 1905.

Ranked as a Historic Monument in 1886 (the church door), then extended in 1925 (cloister) and 1988 (all priory), Ganagobie is a major testimony of Provencal Romanesque art. Its history reflects the religious and political upheavals, from Cluny to the Revolution to the Wars of Religion. Today, the abbey combines heritage preservation, monastic life and spiritual welcome, in an exceptional natural setting overlooking the Durance.

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