The chapel was built in the 13th century and was then called Notre-Dame-de-la-Forêt-d'Albion. The plateau on which lavender is cultivated today was continuously forested (Forêt) in the early Middle Ages. This chapel, which was already remote at the time, was destroyed for the first time in 1392. It was only rebuilt in 1665. The current name comes from the nettles (orites, ortiguière) that grew over the ruins. A black Madonna was found underneath, but has been missing since the 19th century.

After the reconstruction, regular pilgrimages to the chapel begin and a hermit guards the building. During this time, the chapel also served as a mercy altar, to which parents of stillborn children came to (it was imagined) to revive them briefly so that they could be baptized and thus enter paradise. This hair-raising procedure is a good example of the wrong path taken by the Catholic Church.

This confused reputation of the chapel led to the revolutionary People's Commission of Orange decreeing in 1789 that the chapel had to be destroyed a second time. After the Concordat of 1801, under the dictator Napoléon I, the chapel was rebuilt and this is how it stands before us today. A dwelling (which can be rented) is attached to the chapel on the east side and so the small bell gable is now in the centre of the building.

The chapel is only open on certain public holidays, but certainly on the day of the Feast of Fruits and the Earth in May.

Inside there are consoles with Atlantean heads, they date from the original 13th century construction, the arches around the altar are preserved from 1665.

Access by public transport

The chapel cannot be reached by public transport.

Access by car

We are on the Plateau d'Albion between Forcalquier, Banon and Sault. The chapel is about 1km south of Revest-du-Bion on the D34 road to St. Christol.

Parking site

Coming from Revest-du-Bion, the entrance to the car park is on the right behind a small forest. Around 10 cars can park here. From the parking lot, walk about 50 meters to the chapel.

Nearby is a well furnished covered shelter: there is an open fireplace, tables, water and a toilet.