Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The chapel Saint-Grégoire, also known as Chapel of the Pétètes, is an emblematic religious monument of the hamlet of Aubérie, in the commune of Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur (Hautes-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur). Built in 1743 by Jacques Pascal, a mason-carpenter from the hamlet, it owes its nickname to stone statuettes adorning its facade, called petetes (meaning dolls in local patois). These naive sculptures, along with a monumental cross dated 1741, give it a unique popular and artisanal character. Inside, a painting depicts the Virgin with the Child surrounded by St Gregory and St Joseph, highlighting her devoted vocation.

The chapel has undergone transformations over the centuries: initially covered with stubble and uncoated walls, as attested by photographs from the early twentieth century, its roof was replaced by tiles in scale around 1920. An inscription inside (J.P. 1743) confirms the date of its construction. Classified as a Historical Monument since 19 May 1994, it now belongs to the commune and bears witness to the rural and religious heritage of the Hautes-Alpes, mixing local know-how and popular piety.

The artisanal origin of the chapel is marked by its builder, Jacques Pascal, whose work reflects the versatile skills of the rural masters of the eighteenth century. The cross in front of the entrance, one year before the completion of the building, and the petets — busts and masks with simplified features — illustrate a naïve and functional sculptural tradition, typical of isolated mountainous areas. These elements, combined with his consecration to Saint Gregory, make it a place both spiritual and heritage, rooted in the social history of the Champsaur.

External links