Abbaye Notre-Dame de Lure, Romanesque abbey in Saint-Étienne-les-Orgues, France.
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Lure is a Romanesque abbey church located at 1,200 meters elevation on the southern slope of Lure Mountain, featuring a Latin cross design with a four-bay nave. The site contains several spaces including two vaulted rooms, one of which lies beneath the current hermitage building.
The abbey was founded around 1165 when local lords transferred their rights to Abbot Hugh of Boscodon, with the Count of Forcalquier confirming this arrangement in 1207. This early establishment through noble patronage and ecclesiastical approval shaped its role as an established house of prayer.
The church draws pilgrims each year who gather for a special mass on August 15 to honor the Assumption of Mary. This religious observance remains an important moment for visitors and local communities.
Plan visits in advance as access to all areas, including rooms beneath the hermitage building, requires prior arrangement. The 1,200-meter elevation means some physical fitness helps for reaching the site via mountain trails.
The structure features a remarkable cruciform opening above the large window at the chevet, a distinctive architectural detail that reflects its solid Romanesque design. This carved stone feature is an unusual decorative element for such a high-altitude medieval site.
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