During the Middle Ages, Sablet was under the control of the Holy See (the Pope) and unlike many other villages in the surrounding area, it was never under the control of feudal lords, so there is no château - castle at the top of the village.
At that time, the Roman Catholic Church was the law making and administrative authority for the area. In 1577 the village was taken over by Calvinists and the Pope appointed a governor to oversee the village until the end of the religious war.
Sablet in the distance with its "beacon" below the Dentelles de Montmirail.
Église St Nazaire - Church St Nazaire was built in the 12th century and is situated at the highest point in the village. The adjoining bell tower can be seen from miles around.
There is a pretty garden area which surrounds the church.
In addition to the church, there are two chapels in Sablet. The 15th century Chapelle St Nazaire - Chapel of St Nazaire (as distinct from the Church of St Nazaire) can be found at the entrance to the village at the cemetery. The Chapel is the home of many art exhibitions each year.
The village cemetery behind Chapelle St Nazaire with Séguret in the distance.
In 1721, the area was ravaged by the plague but Sablet was untouched. The grateful villagers built Chapelle St Roch - Chapel St Roch and dedicated it to the saint whom they credited with having saved the village.
Chapelle St Roch is located near the Tabac Presse - news stand where the chemin - path to Séguret begins. I see the chapel every morning when I walk to the news stand to buy the International Herald Tribune.
Chapelle St Roch is a functioning church and mass is held there every 15 days.
The bell tower of Église St Nazaire is illuminated at night. The bells ring hourly from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
We pause as we walk past the lighted bell tower to marvel at its face on our way home after aperitifs with friends or dinner out in an area restaurant.
Bonne journée et a bientot.
