Chapelle St Michel
Les gorges de la Nesque
Gorges de la Nesque

    At the heart of the site Natura 2000 of the Nesque gorges, at the bottom of the canyon a troglodyte chapel of twelfth century offers shelter to hikers.
    The Saint Michel Chapel is only accessible by foot starting from the lake or village of Monieux.

    Along the river stands the chapel of Saint Michel d'Anesca (de la Nesque), a Romanesque building restored in 1643.

    Rectangular in shape, this chapel has a tiled roof with two slopes and three rows of spandrels, which protects it from run-off. It consists of a short triangular nave and a semicircular apse with a cul-de-four vault. On the wall, one can make out decorative carvings dating from the time of its construction.

    The apse and the altar are often covered with small written papers, asking for the fulfilment of a vow. On the south side of the chapel there was a hermitage where hermits lived in the 18th and 19th centuries.

    Above the chapel, there are two rock shelters which are connected by a hand-dug opening. Archaeological excavations have shown that they were occupied in prehistoric times.

    Nearby, other excavations have uncovered the remains of the meals of the first hunters who frequented the gorge 150,000 years before our era.

    This place of pilgrimage, still frequented in the 19th century, can only be reached on foot from the lake or from the village of Monieux on the GR9.

    Walk through the Nesque gorges on the signposted route (experienced walkers).

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