Pons-en-Royans (Isère)

The Reformation was present in the Dauphiné region from the 16th century. Pierre de Sibiville, a correspondent of Zwingli, was already preaching there in 1523.

Grenoble became a safe place for the Protestants (1561)

Numerous small churches were built, similar in style to the one in Pons-en-Royans.

A very simple architecture

  • Temple in Pons-en-Royans (Isère) © SHPF

It was of a typically “popular ” style, based on the pattern of a barn.

The building was rectangular, lighted by arched windows and followed the natural slope of the ground. There was a smaller door beside the main portal.

The temple was demolished in the 17th century ; it is known only from surviving documents.

Pons-en-Royans (Isère)

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
  • Articles
    • GUICHARNAUD Hélène, "Approche de l’architecture des Temples protestants construits en France avant la Révocation", Études théologiques et Religieuses, Institut Protestant de Théologie, Montpellier, 2000, Tome 75

Associated notes

  • Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531)
    Zwingli, a pastor and theologian, based the Reformation on Bible study. In his opinion the Reformation comprised fighting social injustice.

  • Protestant "places of safety"
    The “places of safety”, strongholds in the hands of governors and granted to the Reformed, met religious and military requirements.