Chapelle de Saint-Sabin

Let's be clear. Architecturally speaking, the Chapelle Saint Sabin is not the building of the century.
A sober construction, perched at the top of the rocky village of Véranne, at the foot of Le Pilat. When it comes to glamour, there's better.
But don't trust appearances. Behind its apparent simplicity, the chapel has a lot to tell us about its history.
And it goes back a long way. It's thought that the first Chapelle de Saint- Sabin was built in about the 4th century before being destroyed, probably by Saracen soldiers.
The current chapel is thought to the third and, as far as we know, it dates from 1683.
What we do know is that the locals were very single-minded and they were determined to have their chapel dedicated to St Sabin.
And with good reason. In the middle of all this agricultural land, having a saint who protected animals turned out to be an indispensable investment.
Numerous legends were circulating about him at the time.
Some said St Sabin was a shepherd who converted the region to Christianity and even Pontius Pilate (no less).
Another legend is that St Sabin ploughed the Chirats on the Eastern side of the mountain with his oxen and that they left the marks of their hooves on several rocks (a new version of Tom Thumb).
In any case the current chapel was built by the silk manufacturers of Pélussin - and we are (almost) sure about that - to protect an unusual animal, the silk worm.
Amusing, but not so surprising when you know that the valley owes its development to the silk industry. And that creates lasting ties.

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