Notre-Dame des Neiges chapel near Blauvac
Cultural and historical site
10 min
view point
Another chapel a bit lost in the Provençal landscape. It is to be found the east under the village of Blauvac.
It is said to have been built after exceptional snowfalls in August (neige means snow).
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id2343)
Notre-Dame des Neiges chapel and Blauvac in the background
Site history
The chapel also bears the name of Notre-Dame-de-Blaise. Like many Christian sites, it is located on a much older place of worship. It is a late Celtic-Ligurian oppidum. Witness the remains of a paleo-Christian church and a sancturium.
The place of burial was identified thanks to numerous bones.
Excavations were made in the 18th century. One found pottery, lamps and cremation pits. These antiquities are lost to the present day because the excavations were motivated by private individuals wanting to furnish their living rooms.
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id2344)
Facade of Notre-Dame des Neiges chapel
Description
The chapel has a wide nave with a bell tower above the door. The chevet is flat and lower, which is also due to the terrain which lowers towards the east.
The choir is vaulted in a pointed arch. Some walls are two metres thick.
The village of Blauvac owns it.
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id2345)
Notre-Dame des Neiges chapel side view
The location cannot be reached by public transport.
Access by car
We are between Carpentras and Sault in a west-east direction and between Malaucène and Gordes in a north-south axis. The fastest access is via Carpentras, Mazan and Blauvac.
Continue from the village of Blauvac on its ridge downhill by a few switchbacks to arrive between vineyards. Continue towards Villes-sur-Auzon. In a left turn are two small roads on the right. The second one leads to the now visible chapel.
Parking site
You can park just above the chapel.
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id2347)
Nave under construction of the Notre-Dame des Neiges chapel
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id2346)
Mont Ventoux and Notre Dame des Neiges chapel