Eglise Saint Nicolas
Saint-Nicolas is the finest example of the flamboyant Gothic style built in Provence.
FROM THE CHAPEL TO THE PARISH CHURCH
At the end of the 12th century, it was only a modest chapel, adjoined by a cemetery. Probably because of the port and the ferry of Pertuis on the Durance, it was dedicated to Saint-Nicolas, patron saint of boatmen
Located on the market square, very close to the new castle, it gradually became more important
In 1398, the church of Saint-Pierre (1) threatened to collapse and the parish seat was transferred to Saint-Nicolas.
A new, larger building replaced the old chapel. It consists of a nave of three bays with ribbed vaults (2), reinforced by external buttresses, and an apse.
In the 15th century, chapels were built on both sides of the nave. Only those on the north side remain today.
A CHOIR AND A COLLATERAL OF THE XVIth CENTURY
The church, dilapidated and too narrow, had to be enlarged. On April 24, 1535, part of the vaults collapsed following an earthquake, it seems.
It was the master masons Jean Martin, from Manosque and Jaume Jean, from Pertuis, who built the remarkable ribbed vaults of the choir and the first three bays of the side aisle, between 1535 and 1543. Made of cut stone, all different, the design of their ribs is varied and complex. In the same way, the capitals present a diversity of forms and motives (leaves, horns of plenty, human or animal heads...)
In 1587, the church was finally enlarged by one bay and the western façade was built (3)
The meridional chapels of the 17th century
In the 17th century, chapels were successively opened on the south side of the collateral. The most beautiful is undoubtedly the one on the west side, covered with a dome with a lantern. Dedicated to Saint Raymond, it was founded in 1660 by Esprit de Ravely, "squire of the city of Pertuis"
"LIBERTY, EQUALITY, FRATERNITY"
In 1877, the facade was remodeled and decorated with a new portico. The republican motto was only inscribed on the entablature in 1882, under the Third Republic, almost a century after the Revolution.
The 1909 earthquake shook the vaults and destroyed the small bell tower built in the 18th century
The church was classified as a historical monument on October 14, 1911.
(1) The first parish church of Pertuis was located north of the city (Place Saint-Pierre).
(2) These vaults were rebuilt identically in 1684.
(3) The knowledge of these works is due to the research of Dr Marsily.
