Classified as one of the "Most Beautiful
Villages in France", Menerbes looks like
a ship made of stone placed at the edge of a
cliff.
History :
History began very early on in Ménerbes:
this is the only spot in the whole area where
one can see a dolmen. During the Gallic/Roman
times, the village was called Minerva, probably
because it was dedicated to this goddess. The
name evolved to Manancha during the barbaric
invasions.
Saint Castor was the first celebrity to live
in Menerbes at the end of the IVth century.
Once a lawyer in Arles, he had the revelation
of God, left everything and retired in Manancha
where he laid the foundations of the St Faustin
monastery. Although he longed for a life lived
in poverty, the inhabitants of the near city
of Apt elected him as the town's bishop. The
cave where he had once retired remained a place
of worship until the end of the XIXth century.
The History of Menerbes is very plain until
the religious wars. Menerbes, a fortress at
the breach of a mountain range was the ideal
spot for the Protestants to find refuge. Resistance
never quite died out in this area since the
Vaudois episode. In the year 1577, Henri d'Angouleme,
a natural brother to Henri III and new governor
of Provence decided to re-conquer the city.
12 000 troops besieged the town which was only
1000 men strong. The Menerbiens were ready to
capitulate, but at the last minute, St Auban's
Pope (who albeit his title was a Protestant)
came to the rescue. The Catholics were loosing
their advantage against St Auban's seasoned
army. The Duke of Angouleme himself is wounded.
He capitulates in 1577, and it is Grimaldi,
the county's vice-chancellor who takes the lead
of the Catholic army. 14 months will be needed
for him to enter into Menerbes, on December
9th 1578. The surrender takes place under good
conditions and the Protestants retire with dignity.
This siege turned out to be the longest of the
religious wars.
Menerbes will thereafter live quietly.
The village will host several celebrities: Karl
de Rantzau, a Danish philosopher and Epicurean
adventurer; Clovis Hugues, a poet: a monument
is erected in the village in his honor; Picasso,
the painter and his Muse: Dora Maar.
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