La Colle (hill)

It could be that the coat of arms of Régusse reminds you of something. These red and white diamonds (called tapered reds in heraldry) are indeed the coat of arms of the Grimaldi family who rules the Principality of Monaco today. A branch of this family from Genoa bought the domain of Régusse in the 17th century and kept it until the Revolution, when their property was confiscated. But the town of Régusse stills holds the arms of the family on its coat of arms.

The bell tower was built in the 18th century. The bell cast in 1537 comes from the chapel of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. The clock as well as the bell set the rhythm of daily life, and the hours for work and free time, it underwent lightning in 1767. As soon as they could, the village communities settled under the old regime and sometimes as early as the 15th century, these symbols of their allocation which sometimes opposed the Lord’s power. You will notice the cat walking on the gutter!

The parish church, dedicated to Saint-Laurent, dates back to the 12th century. It was built in three stages, the tower being built last. There is mention of this church in a bull of Pope Gregory XI published in 1225. Between 1348 and 1375, the great plague followed by the Succession Wars of Queen Jeanne and the passage of hordes of Raymond de Turenne led to the destruction of the church. In the 15th century, the country is repopulated, the church was restored and enlarged.

When walking back, do not hesitate to visit this small local museum housed in an old chapel built in the 17th century, the chapel of ND de la Miséricorde or Presbytery chapel. The museum provides a retrospective of the battles of World War I, World War II, Wars of Korea, Indochina, North Africa, and the Gulf War. You will be welcomed by veterans who are all volunteers and will be delighted to share their not so distant memories. Open July-August.

The Oratories mark the landscape of the towns of Provence. Traditionally, these small buildings dedicated to a saint were placed at the entrance of the village or close to cultivated lands to which they brought protection. Here Saint-Eloi, the patron saint of blacksmith farriers, protects horses. Ten oratories mark the territory of Régusse. They mainly date from the 19th century, but their origin is sometimes older.

The reward is always there with the view of Sainte-Victoire and the forests of the Upper Var in winter.

On the descent from La Colle, you will see the lake of Sainte-Croix just below the vast expanse of the Valensole plateau, and in the distance on a sunny winter day Lure mountain with snowy peaks... great enchantment for your eyes...!