Bonnieux - église haute, Catholic church in Bonnieux, France

The Upper Church of Bonnieux is a Catholic place of worship located at a high point above the village, visible from many directions. The stone structure displays multiple construction periods, with original medieval sections standing alongside additions from later centuries.

The building was founded in the 12th century during the medieval period. It underwent major expansion in the 15th century when the area came under papal control and the village grew in importance.

Locals call it the église haute or vieille église because a second church, the église neuve, was built in the lower village in the 19th century. The two cemeteries that once surrounded it are still visible as separate enclosures, the last moved only after debates between 1820 and 1867.

Reaching the church requires climbing stairs from the lower village, with the main entrance accessible from the south side of the building. The ascent is steep but manageable, and the walk up offers views over the surrounding settlement.

The south door, the original entrance, has a carved eagle on its tympanum and a floral-patterned arch; it faces south to shield worshippers from the mistral. The Virgin above the bell tower dates from 1865, not the Middle Ages. The organ built by Isnard between 1777 and 1778 was played until 1939.