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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye, located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, finds its origins in the late Middle Ages. Part of his choir, dating from 1452 to 1472, still remains today. The building is marked by violent events: destroyed in 1591 by the troops of Lesdiguières during the Wars of Religion, while the inhabitants were rebuked there, it was only rebuilt a century later, in 1690, with recast vaults and fortifications added in 1696. The frame and cover were renewed in 1762, illustrating a history of architectural resilience.

The earthquake of 5 April 1959 caused the collapse of a span, requiring major restoration from 1963 to 1970. This work, financed two-thirds by the State (the church being classified as a Historical Monument since 1921), and the rest by a local patron, Hippolyte Signoret, saved the building. The 16th century frescoes, painted by Italian artists and rediscovered in the 1960s under woodwork, represent religious scenes such as God the Father or the Vision of St Paul, adding a rare artistic dimension.

The architecture of the church combines Gothic elements (dogives vaults, capitals carved from human and animal heads) and Lombard influences (blind arches outside). The bell tower, whose base dates back to 1390, was largely rebuilt in the 16th century and repaired in 1829. The western gate, decorated with a fresco of the Descent of the Cross (XVI century), has similarities with that of the church of Santa Maria Assunta in Elva, Italy, highlighting transalpine cultural exchanges.

The interior altars, classified as historical monuments, include partially gilded or painted wooden altarpieces, including a 17th century painted canvas antependium, rare. The lateral chapel dedicated to Mary, destroyed by the 1959 earthquake, was demolished for lack of funds for its restoration, but its altarpiece, representing Saint Roch (patron of pilgrims), was moved into the nave. The choir, illustrating the Adoration of the Magi kings, bears witness to the iconographic richness of the building.

The restoration of the 20th century also revealed hidden frescoes and consolidated the structure, while preserving medieval elements such as the arch keys decorated with lambs or coats of arms. The church's history thus reflects political tumults (wars of Religion), natural hazards (earthquakes) and artistic exchanges between Provence and Italy, making it a symbol of community perseverance and Alpine religious heritage.

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