Perched
village overhanging the combe of Lourmarin, only
transportation route crossing Luberon, Bonnieux
offers splendid panoramas on the surrounding villages,
the mounts of Vaucluse and Ventoux.
Dominated by its high church of the 12th century,
the village gives itself paces of Holy Mount Michel
of Provence.
A little History:
The number impressing of vestiges found on the
commune attests that Bonnieux is inhabited since
prehistory.
During Roman colonization, the occupants of
the places, primarily concentrated on the oppida,
will be constrained to settle in the valley.
Bonnieux is called then Bitrona. The inhabitants
will take again the way of their oppida during
the cruel invasions.
A few centuries later, the village will become
Bonnilis (the good eye, certainly because from
its splendid point of view). One will build
a castle, a Romance church there.
It is at the 13th century that Bonnieux will
acquire a particular statute. The tale of Toulouse
will inherit the village Forcalquier. For fidéliser
its subjects, it their will grant many franknesses
and privileges. When the pope confiscates the
village in 1274, it will have to be solved so
that the village preserves its privileged statute,
and even a semi autonomy.
Accustomed to be isolated from the other villages
and to cut world, Bonnieux will resist the plague
of 1720 well and will not deplore practically
any victim.
This privileged situation will be called in
question under the reign of louis XV which will
confiscate the papal grounds. The pope will
récupèrera them later 6 years.
The revolution will definitively dépossèdera
it of its goods and bonnieulais them will be
solved to give up their privileges.
During second half of the 19th century, the
village top will be emptied gradually and a
new church will be built low in spite of the
reserve of part of the inhabitants.
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