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San Savior church
of The Castellet
1153
HISTORICAL :​
1. The Church :
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Located on Place du Champ de Bataille, in the heart of the medieval village, this church dates from the end of the 11th and beginning of the 12th century, and is one of the best-preserved buildings in the village.
It was built on the remains of an earlier chapel and took 133 years to complete, in 1153, when it was confirmed by Pope Eugene III.
Its exterior features a bell wall with three arches, typical of southern French religious architecture.
The overall appearance may seem austere, much like the nearby castle, whose walls adjoin the church. This is due to the presence of the Templars, who were granted use of buildings by the House of Les Baux, the local lords ruling the area.
Inside, one can admire the choir of the old Romanesque nave, with its cul-de-four (semi-dome) and its arched bay.
As it became too small, the church was enlarged in 1754, adding a second nave and a sacristy, and opening the three arches.
The new nave was built over part of a 14th-century cemetery, which was reduced and later moved to the north side of the church. The Romanesque entrance door was restored the same year.
To the left of the main nave, a walled-up window can be seen — sealed during the French Revolution. It once allowed the castle’s lords to attend services from within.
The church was listed as a Historical Monument in 1939.
The saint associated with it is San Clear, Abbot of Vienne (Isère), patron saint of seamstresses and opticians, known for miraculous healings, especially of the eyes.
A Mass in his honor is held every year on the Sunday closest to January 2nd (the Feast of San Clear).
The castle, consisting of two adjoining parts and largely rebuilt in the 14th–15th centuries, remained home to the lords until the Revolution.
Since 1969, it has housed the Town Hall.
2. The Village :
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Centuries before our era, the region was already inhabited by Celto-Ligurian tribes. The village was then located south of the current one, on the hill called Château-Vieux.
From the 1st century onward, Roman conquest spread throughout the region. They established colonies and camps for soldiers on the hilltops, later abandoned during barbarian and Saracen invasions. The base of a Roman mausoleum remains visible in the Château-Vieux area.
The Romans, victorious in Gaul, occupied Greek cities including Le Castellet (Latin Castellum, from castrum, meaning “fortified place”).
After their departure in the early 8th century, the village was pillaged and burned by Saracens, and its inhabitants fled.
Around 880, the villagers returned to settle on a rocky peak — today’s Cas-Tellet — where they found remnants of a Roman fort built atop a Ligurian oppidum (Celtic-style hill fort).
In 973, William I, Governor of Provence, expelled the Saracens and distributed the abandoned lands between the Church and his companions-in-arms.
The first medieval village developed around the castle under Pons-Mainier, Viscount of Marseille, marking the start of feudalism in Provence.
1030 : A charter mentions that the Bishop of Marseille built the church and castle, with the church facing Jerusalem.
1153 : The Church of Saint-Sauveur, dating from the 11th century, is recorded. It features a Romanesque apse-tower lit by a deep slit window. The first arch of the nave is Romanesque; the next two, from the 12th century, are early Gothic.
A small passage once linked the church to the castle, allowing the lord to attend services; it was sealed in 1789. The church, originally dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Saviour, later became San Clear of Vienne.
1156 : Raymond Geoffroy, successor to Pons-Mainier, ceded his rights to Saint Victor Abbey of Marseille.
1212 : The Princes of Les Baux gained lordship, leading to centuries of conflict with the House of Provence. The Templars were granted use of the domain and enlarged both church and castle.
1262 : The village passed to the House of Anjou.
1314 : The Templars were expelled.
1369 : The church and castle were partly destroyed by the people of La Cadière.
1385 : François des Baux restored the fortress.
1437 : René of Anjou sold the village to Charles de Castillon, Count of Provence, “without reproach.” His family held the castle for 200 years.
1610 : The small southern gate Portalet dates from this time.
1629 : Through marriage, the De Castillon family became De Lombard; the castle was given as dowry.
1754 : The church was enlarged, its orientation changed, and two Gothic vaults added.
1789 : The Revolution abolished privileges, destroyed coats of arms, and sealed the lord’s window.
1797 : The castle, a national property, was sold in four parts.
1800 : It was bought by locals who installed an oil mill, a classroom, and two homes.
1923–1926 : The village began to develop as a tourist destination promoting tranquility and rest; artists and craftsmen settled there.
1939 : The church, castle façade, and ramparts were listed as Historical Monuments.
1969 : The castle became the Town Hall.
Today, the medieval village of Le Castellet remains a picturesque and authentic tourist destination.
3. The Coat of Arms of The Castellet :​
“Gold with three green houseleek plants — two at the top, one at the bottom”
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In 1696, Louis XIV required all communes to register their arms in the General Armorial of France.
Le Castellet adopted the arms of the Lombard family, its former lords.
The gold background symbolizes the sun and wealth; the green houseleeks symbolize hope and abundance.
Later, it was modified with two crenelated towers on a rampart, showing the village’s administrative status.
It is surrounded by olive branches, representing peace, strength, and wisdom.
The word joubarbe (houseleek) comes from the Latin Jovis barba, meaning “Jupiter’s beard.”
4. San Clear, Abbot of Vienne (+ ca. 682) :
(Feast Day : Sunday closest to January 2nd)
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San Clear was born south of Vienne, in the Dauphiné region, in the 7th century, in a place that today bears his name, the town of San-Clear-from-Rhône.
He is a prominent figure in Viennese monasticism.
He was orphaned at a young age. He was raised by his widowed mother in a village in the Viennois region called Beauchamp.
His mother often took him to pray or participate in religious services at various sanctuaries.
San Adon recounts in his "Chronicles" that while leaving the San-Ferréol monastery on the right bank of the Rhône (where the relics of San Ferréol and San Julian of Brive, an imperial officer and soldier martyred in the 3rd century, were kept), Clear, his mother, and the entire crew were in danger of sinking in the Rhône's swells. Little Clear turned towards the church of San-Ferréol and exclaimed, “O God, for whose name the blessed Ferréol suffered death, help us, we are perishing!” Immediately, the river calmed and the boat was pushed ashore.
His mother understood that she must then leave him to the education of this monastery, and she set sail again for Vienne, where she entered the cloistered convent for widows of San Blandine; where Clear would one day become chaplain…
The diocese of Vienne flourished with a multitude of monasteries, and Clear retired to that of San-Ferréol-Trente-Pas, one of the most important, which at the time had 400 monks.
He distinguished himself there by his holiness, so much so that around 649, Archbishop Caldeoldius appointed him Abbot of San Blandina (a monastery reserved for widows) and, shortly after, Abbot of the Monastery of San Marcel in Vienne (a small monastery of 30 monks).
His holiness led him to perform numerous miracles during his life and after his death.
He had the gift of prophecy and the ability to perform unexplained, miraculous healings.
- healing of the sick (for example, the ailing abbess of San Blandina);
- a cenobite suffering from severe colic;
- a man covered in ulcers who was healed by approaching the stream to which the San had commanded him to be led;
- he drove a demon out of a servant girl from outside the monastery by putting his fingers in her mouth;
- After a night of prayer, he caused new grapes to grow on a monastery vine ravaged by hail;
- He compelled the Rhône River to return a monk who was about to be swept away by an oversized fish he was catching near the San: the monk emerged safe and sound with the fish, which fed the entire community;
- Having quickly fallen ill, he was warned of his impending death.
The hagiographer adds that San Clear had a vision of a heavenly assembly from which emerged San Marcel and San Blandina, who announced to him, three days before, his death at five o'clock.
San Clear had himself carried to the church of the San-Marcel monastery, lay down on a hair shirt, and began to pray.
He died on January 1st, around the year 682, surrounded by a wondrous fragrance.
His body was laid to rest, according to his wishes, in the Church of San Blandine, near the martyrs of Lyon: before the funeral procession, a paralytic was healed.
Other miracles occurred at his tomb.
His cult flourished for a long time.
Later, his relics were transferred, kept, and venerated in the Church of San Peter in Vienne, until their destruction during the Wars of Religion, when the Calvinist troops of François de Beaumont, Baron des Adrets, desecrated the relics of San Clear in April 1562.
San Clear of Dauphiné is the patron San of woodworkers.
San Clear, because of his name, is invoked by seamstresses and tailors to protect their eyesight.
In the regions of Dauphiné, Lyonnais, Auvergne, and Savoy, he is considered a healing San for eye ailments. He is invoked for the "protection of the eyes and the healing of eye ailments," as reflected in the expression "San Clear, who makes one see clearly."
According to Arnold van Gennep, "for the same reason, he is the patron San of stonemasons, who are constantly at risk of being blinded by splinters and dust."
He is also the patron San of glassmakers and opticians.
He is also venerated when one wishes for clear, rain-free weather.
San Clear protects the priest of Ceyreste from lightning.
San Clear is the patron San of the towns of Bormes-les-Mimosas and Le Castellet.
Salernes and Le Lavandou each have a San Clear district.
His cult was confirmed in 1907.
The parish church of Le Castellet, dedicated to San Clear, features the Transfiguration of the Holy Savior.
It has been known since its founding as San-Sauveur and was built during the 11th century.
Above its pointed arch doorway, remodeled in 1677, is a triangular heraldic stone bearing the angled cross.
5. Ancient Prayer to Saint Clear (for all eye diseases) :
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O San Clear, worthy of God,
merciful, good, just, and beneficent, illustrious leader of the Bretons, brighter than fire ;
gladden the eyes that weep and are deprived of light ;
enlighten minds, and hear those who invoke you worthily.
Amen.