Notre patrimoine
King René's Castle
Il fut d'abord au XIIe siècle un petit castrum élevé sur un rocher aux flancs battus par la Durance. Propriété des archevêques d'Aix jusqu'à son acquisition par René d'Anjou comte de Provence en 1475. Incendié et ruiné par Charles Quint en 1536, le château sera restauré par le seigneur de Peyrolles François-Marie de Cazeneuve à la fin du XVIe et somptueusement agrandi au XVIIIe siècle par la noble famille de Laurens dans un style Louisquatorzien. La proximité des carrières de Sainte-Anne a grandement favorisé le projet d'extension du château. Aujourd'hui siège de la mairie, de l'école de musique et de quelques résidents privés, le château bénéficie d'importants travaux qui vont lui redonner le faste qui fut le sien avant la Révolution, retrouvant ses façades aux ouvertures harmonieuses, ses cheminées de toit en pierres taillées, son intérieur et planchers rénovés. Bientôt sa terrasse côté levant retrouvera sa fontaine qui avait été ensevelie au XIXe pour accueillir la cour de l'école communale.
Palm cave
Known for centuries by locals as the Mascaron Cave, it wasn't until 1979 that this small cave located beneath the castle revealed a unique feature in Europe: palm tree imprints dating back to the late Miocene epoch were identified by specialists. Recent geological studies place them around 10 million years ago (Tortonian, the penultimate subdivision of the Miocene). The largest imprint measures one meter in diameter and two meters in height. In total, there are about fifteen imprints of varying sizes. Visits are by appointment only.
Saint-Pierre Church
The Church of Saint Peter dates from the 12th century. Originally, it was a small Romanesque church built on the rock (the original chancel and apse are still visible). It was enlarged during the reign of King René (15th century), notably with the addition of chapels in the Gothic style. In the 17th century, it reached its final dimensions with the enlargement of its nave and bays, and the construction of the facade and bell tower. During roadworks carried out around the church in 2017, medieval tombs were discovered.
Chapel of the Holy Sepulcher
De style roman provençal, on ne sait rien sur la construction de cette chapelle. Construite sur un promontoire rocheux probablement au XIe ou XIIe siècle comme le fut sa "grande sœur' la chapelle Sainte-Croix de l'abbaye de Montmajour dont elle partage cette même forme de trèfle à 4 feuilles qui les rend exceptionnelles en Provence... Fût-elle construite de retour de croisade? Le style oriental le laisse penser. Une légende locale dit qu'un tombeau de chevalier se trouverait dans la crypte devenue inaccessible. A l'intérieur des fresques remarquables du XIIIe, des graffitis navals du XVe siècle et un imposant retable en bois de 1608 sont à voir absolument. La chapelle Saint-Sépulcre accueillit une confrérie de pénitents au XIXe siècle dont on peut voir encore une croix de procession.
The belfry and its clock tower
In medieval times, this belfry was the entrance point to the fortified walls and protected access. In the 17th or 18th century, the belfry was erected to support a campanile that chimed the secular hours when the church chimed the hours of prayer. In the 19th century, a mechanical clock was installed. Two lion-headed fountains bring freshness and charm to this clock tower.
The oratories
Formerly called the Montjoies, numerous oratories are scattered throughout the village and its outskirts. St. Anne, St. Mark, St. Joseph, Mary Magdalene who protects pilgrims towards Saint-Maximin, the Mother of God oratory and its prayer to the sick in Latin and, the oldest of all, the Notre-Dame oratory (known as the Plan) dated 1481 towards Notre-Dame d'Astors.
Traconnade Roman aqueduct
Built in the 2nd century, this aqueduct supplied Aquae sextiae, Aix en Provence, with spring water. From Jouques via Peyrolles, Meyrargues and Venelles, underground or by air, a colossal work carried out in just five years by five thousand workers over approximately 32 km. On Peyrolles, in the old quarry of the Ste Anne valley, you can discover a vestige of this remarkable work.
Saint-Roch Chapel
Affected by several epidemics in the Middle Ages, Provence was particularly ravaged by the plagues of 1347 and 1720. St. Roch was invoked to protect the population and a local legend even says that he stopped at the gates of Peyrolles. This chapel probably dates from the 17th or 18th century, but an oratory or a small chapel must have marked the entrance to the village long before that. Some local residents still like to come and pray there at sunset.
Our Lady of Astors
Cette chapelle de grande dimension fut construite au XIIe siècle probablement sur un ancien temple romain( une tête antique fut trouvée sur le lieu pendant des travaux de rénovation). Une source y coulait déjà à l'Antiquité ce qui en faisait un point apprécié par les voyageurs. Il ne restait que quatre murs au XVIIe siècle quand elle fut restaurée et admirablement décorée. Lors de fouilles de nombreuses sépultures médiévales furent découvertes autour de la chapelle. Au XXe siècle on y allait encore en pèlerinage le lendemain de communion et pour la fête votive de septembre. On ne peut plus la visiter suite à de nombreuses dégradations et actes de vandalisme mais le lieu reste agréable avec un coin ombragé équipé de tables pour pique-niquer.
The medieval round tower, the village and its ancient streets
The old town center conceals vestiges from various periods, ranging from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Near the Church of Saint-Pierre, a 13th-century round tower recalls the time when the village was fortified. On Rue de l'Église, a pediment bears the date 1663 and a crowned coat of arms, partially effaced, of Provence during the reign of Louis XIV. The initials PP suggest the presence of a small annex to the Parliament of Provence, which became the town hall during the French Revolution and remained so until the 19th century. As you wander through the cobbled streets, you can also discover the 18th-century Neuvière fountain and 17th- and 18th-century facades.
Sainte-Anne Quarries
Open-pit quarries, worked until 1930, are located two kilometers from the village. The yellowish rock is a marine molasse from the Tortonian period of the late Tertiary era (11.6 to 7.2 million years ago), formed from the deposition of sand grains and various marine fossil fragments in the sea. During quarrying, the workers unearthed the ancient Roman aqueduct of La Traconnade, dating from the 2nd century and still visible in the middle of the quarry. Part of the Loubatas trail, this historically significant site is easily accessible.
