Description

Saint-Sixte is the Provençal chapel par excellence. Romanesque, surrounded by cypress and almond trees blown down by the wind, it stands on a very flattened limestone hillock in the north-east of the Alpilles ridge.

It is like any other chapel in Provence, yet it is one of the best known images of the region. Possible reasons for this are, for example, that it is really in the heart of Provence, that its surroundings are not spoiled by any construction and that it is not swallowed up by vegetation.

In season, masses of tourists pass through here. But out of season, there is always a way to have the place to yourself. Perhaps it's also due to the strong wind, it can blow very hard here in winter.

Site history

Initially, there was an earlier temple here. The chapel was first named in 1155. At that time, it is even more classical with only the bell wall with a single bell bay in the façade and no priory and garden surrounded by a low wall. The porch was added in 1629, and is classic in Provence. These additions transformed the chapel into a lazaret during the plague to control travellers.

The chapel is named after an early christian pope. However, it is not known whether Sixtus I, Sixtus II or Sixtus III was name giving. A local pilgrimage still takes place on Easter Tuesday. It is locally called Roumavage, a contraction of the Provençal words Roumiéu viage (journey to Rome).

Access by public transport

The site is not really reachable by bus. There is certainly the 706 line of the network Zou! (only french), but it only runs in the summer season and the terminus is in the village of Eygalières, more than a kilometre away, from which you have to walk along the departmental road.

Access by car

Eygalières and its chapel are located in the north-east of the Alpilles between St. Rémy de Provence and Orgon.

The quickest way to get there is from the A7 motorway via the Cavaillon exit. First take the direction of St. Rémy. After five kilometres you will arrive in the artisanal zone Mollégès Gare. Turn left at the central roundabout. This road heads south and gradually turns right. You pass a bridge over a canal and immediately afterwards our road goes to the left, it has a limited tonnage. This road leads straight to the chapel.

Coming from St. Rémy, take the road to Cavaillon and turn right at Mollégès Gare

Around the crossroads near the chapel there are several parking possibilities.