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Sainte-Croix-de-Caderle (Gard)

An early roman chapel that became a priory in 1420 was used for Protestant worship in the 16th century.

A troubled history

Temple in Sainte-Croix-de-Caderle (Gard) © O. d'Haussonville

The hardships due to the wars of religion in the 16th and 17th centuries meant looting, demolishing and rebuilding. At the Revocation, it was given back to the Catholics. In 1702, it was burned down by the Camisards.

In 1704, the garrison of the king’s dragoons invaded the village, terrorising the Huguenots into conversion. The dragoons stayed until 1711.

The church was spared, but a storehouse was built over the front portal, the steeple dismantled and the chapels raised.

At the Revolution, the edifice was dedicated to the worship of Reason.

In 1802, the chapel was handed back to the Protestants.

Sainte-Croix-de-Caderle (Gard)

Sainte-Croix-de-Caderle

Itinerary to this location

Bibliography

  • Books
    • DUBIEF Henri et POUJOL Jacques, La France protestante, Histoire et Lieux de mémoire, Max Chaleil éditeur, Montpellier, 1992, rééd. 2006, p. 450
    • LAURENT René, Promenade à travers les temples de France, Les Presses du Languedoc, Millau, 1996, p. 520
    • REYMOND Bernard, L’architecture religieuse des protestants, Labor et Fides, Genève, 1996

Associated notes

Les nouveaux missionnaires, gravure d'Engelmann (1686)

The “Dragonnades” (1681-1685)

A “Dragonnade” was the forced lodging of dragoons, the king’s soldiers, in Huguenot homes. The latter were looted and mistreated until they renounced their faith.
Cartouche de la carte des Cévennes «Le théâtre de la guerre dans les Cévennes avec les montagnes et les plaines des environs du Languedoc.» Nieuwe Caart van Sevennes. C. Danckerts Amsterdam 1703.

The war of the Camisards (1702-1710)

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