A safe place

For new ideas

The Queyras, a high-altitude valley far from all the religious powers, became a land of Protestantism in the 16th century. In this valley, where many could read and write, men and women chose their religion by adopting the Luther and Calvin Reformation. This historical period had a profound impact on the region, and explains its links with Germany, to which many emigrated after the resumption of persecution and the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Some even claim that the region’s history of innovation is linked to its Protestant faith, echoing the theses of Max Weber in his cult work “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism”.

A profusion of churches and temples

But why?

Firstly: the problem wasn’t to know if God existed, but how to believe in God. Secondly: the Christian “family” includes church-going Catholics, temple-going Protestants and Orthodox Christians.

And the Bible?

It’s what they all have in common. But until 1962, the Catholic Bible and Mass were in Latin, while the Reformed (Protestants) have always used French.

Still, it’s simpler ….

Everything’s simpler in Protestantism: no saint, no bishop, you access God directly by reading the Bible, whereas for Catholics, you do it through the priest.

And the “Vaudois”?

Valdésius founded the “Pauvres de Lyon” in 1170, translating the Bible into Franco-Provençal. They were condemned for preaching without being priests, and called Vaudois by the judges of the Inquisition. They fled to Italy. From Piedmont, the Vaudois faith spread more to Freissinières in the Ecrins, for example, than to the Queyras. In 1532, the Vaudois joined Protestantism. Italian Protestants, on the other hand, are still called Vaudois!

And the religious wars?

They began in 1562, with the distruction of Queyras churches and the construction of temples. The Edict of Nantes restored peace in 1598, organizing cohabitation between the two faiths. Churches were rebuilt in the 17th century. In 1685, Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes. In every Protestant family, one brother abjured to remain in the Queyras, the other went into exile to remain faithful to his convictions.

The Revolution: an ambivalent welcome

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Why do you say in the Queyras the Revolution was not well received?

Because the freedoms obtained in 1343 were abolished on August 04, 1789! From 1800 to 1844, mayors were appointed by the prefects. The escartons and their tradition of self-management disappeared.

Can we still see some progress?

Protestants regained freedom of conscience, and temples were rebuilt. In 1855, the construction of the Combe road improved relations with the Guillestrois region. The mountain passes to Italy are still heavily used by peddlers and muleteers. The Napoléon Refuges are built on the Izoard, Lacroix and Agnel passes, thanks to a request from Napoléon I.